Transplant nurse

A transplant nurse cares for patients who are donating or receiving an organ or tissue through a transplant procedure.

Required education

ADN or BSN

Average annual salary

$80,000

Payscale (Jan. 2026)

Varied

Take on different tasks, patients, and situations every day.

Patient-facing

Work hands-on, directly with patients.

Structured

Follow a routine that allows you to anticipate and prepare for every situation.

What is the role of a transplant nurse?

You’ll help prepare living donors, and patients who are receiving an organ, for their procedures, and assist doctors during transplant surgeries.

What you’ll do as a transplant nurse

Education

You’ll teach patients and donors about the risks associated with transplant surgery and how to look after themselves after being discharged.

Treatment

You’ll dress wounds, administer medications, monitor patients’ vital signs after surgery, and watch out for infections and organ rejection.

two nurses in PPE in operating room setting

Where you’ll work as a transplant nurse

Transplant nurses work in a variety of settings, including:

Ambulatory surgical units
Hospitals
Organ transplant facilities

How to become a transplant nurse

Get an Associate’s Degrees in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

When considering a future nursing career, it’s important to explore the different nursing programs available and the paths they offer. With various options like associate degree programs, bachelor’s degree programs, and direct-entry master’s degree programs, prospective students can choose the educational path that best suits their goals and interests.

Pass the NCLEX-RN and work as a Registered Nurse.

The National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX) is the all-important step between graduating from nursing school and becoming a nurse. It’s a standardized test, set by the Board of Nursing in each state, that makes sure you have the knowledge and skills you need to work in the field of nursing.

Work as a Registered Nurse for two years, including 12 months of experience working with organ transplant patients.

Pass the Certified Clinical Transplant Nurse exam through the American Board for Transplant Certification.

You’re ready to work as a transplant nurse!