How to Become an Outpatient Nurse
Around 537 million outpatient visits take place in the U.S. each year. Unlike inpatient care, where patients stay overnight in a medical facility, outpatient care focuses on treating people who come in for same-day procedures, check-ups, and ongoing medical management. As an outpatient nurse, you’ll work in clinics, private practices, and specialty care centers to provide everything from preventive care to post-surgical follow-ups.
If you’re looking for a rewarding nursing career with a great work-life balance, outpatient nursing might be a great path for you. This article is your roadmap for entering this meaningful specialty.
Outpatient Nurse: Career Snapshot
- Role: Provide care for patients in outpatient settings, focusing on treatment, education, and follow-up care.
- Duties: Conduct patient assessments, assist with minor procedures, and educate patients on managing conditions at home.
- Workplaces: Outpatient clinics, physician offices, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialty care facilities
- Path: Nursing degree and experience in clinical settings, followed by optional certifications
- Timeline: Approximately 2 to 4 years
What Is Outpatient Nursing?
Outpatient nursing, also known as ambulatory care nursing, is a broad term describing any type of nursing care provided at outpatient facilities, such as primary care practices, same day surgical centers, or specialty clinics. This type of care is designed for patients who do not require extended observation or overnight stays, offering services like routine check-ups, diagnostic tests, and minimally invasive procedures.
Outpatient care typically includes three broad categories:
- Primary care: This involves routine health maintenance and preventative services provided by healthcare professionals, such as family physicians or internists. It includes regular check-ups, vaccinations, and management of chronic conditions.
- Ambulatory surgical care: This refers to surgical procedures performed on patients who do not require overnight hospitalization, such as minimally invasive surgeries and endoscopic procedures.
- Urgent care: This category provides immediate care for non-life-threatening conditions that require prompt attention, such as minor injuries and infections.
What Do Outpatient Nurses Do?
With same-day treatments at the heart of outpatient care, outpatient nurses must efficiently handle everything from initial assessments to discharge instructions — all while managing multiple patients in a single day. Here are some of their key daily tasks:
- Conduct initial patient assessments: Gathering vital signs, performing physical examinations, and documenting medical histories.
- Administer medications and treatments: Giving prescribed medications, administering vaccines, and monitoring for side effects.
- Assist with outpatient procedures: Supporting physicians during minor surgeries, biopsies, endoscopies, or other procedures.
- Perform diagnostic testing: Drawing blood, conducting EKGs, and preparing patients for imaging tests.
- Educate patients and families: Teaching patients how to manage chronic illnesses like diabetes or hypertension, explaining post-procedure care, and reviewing medication instructions.
- Coordinate follow-up care: Scheduling follow-up appointments, facilitating referrals to specialists, and communicating treatment plans with patients and their families.
- Maintain medical records: Documenting patient interactions, treatment plans, and progress in electronic health records (EHRs).
How to Become an Outpatient Nurse: 5 Steps
Becoming a nurse involves a structured path that includes education and licensing. Follow these steps to start your journey into outpatient nursing:
1. Get a Nursing Degree
Your journey begins with earning a nursing degree from an accredited institution. You can choose between the following paths:
- Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN): A 2-year program typically offered at community colleges.
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): A 4-year program typically offered at universities and colleges.
During your studies, you’ll take courses like nursing theories and pharmacology, while gaining hands-on experience through clinical rotations — preparing you to provide high-quality patient care.
2. Obtain Licensure
The next step is obtaining your nursing license. Start by applying for an initial license with your state’s board, then take the NCLEX-RN — a standardized exam that assesses your nursing knowledge and readiness to provide safe, effective care. Once you pass and submit the required documents, your state will issue your registered nurse (RN) license, allowing you to begin your nursing career.
3. Gain Experience
You can look for outpatient nursing jobs right after graduation, but some nurses prefer to start in inpatient settings to develop a strong foundation in essential nursing skills. Here are some examples of such inpatient specialties:
4. Atain Certification (Optional)
While not always required, professional certification can enhance your skills and make you a more competitive candidate on the job market. Here are some valuable options to consider:
If you work in a focus area like neurology or oncology, you may also benefit from specialty certifications, such as the Certified Neuroscience Registered Nurse (CNRN) or Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN) credentials.
5. Pursue Advanced Education (Optional)
While a BSN is enough for most outpatient nursing roles, advancing your education can expand your career opportunities. Consider these options:
- A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree typically takes 2 years to complete and focuses on advanced clinical skills.
- A Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree usually requires 2–4 years of study and emphasizes healthcare leadership and evidence-based practice.
Advanced education opens the door to various career paths, including the following:
How Much Do Outpatient Nurses Make?
The typical outpatient nurse salary in the U.S. is about $102,640 per year, or $49.35 per hour, but you can make more or less depending on your education, experience, nursing specialty, and facility type.
Where you work can greatly affect your nursing salary. If you’re looking to boost your income, explore these high-paying states for RNs:
Frequently Asked Questions: Outpatient Nurse
What is the career outlook for nurses in this field?
The demand for registered nurses, including those in outpatient care settings, is projected to increase by 6% in the next decade — outpacing the average job growth rate. With more than 54,000 outpatient care centers in the U.S. and approximately 1.2 million employees in the sector, there are solid opportunities available.
What typical surgical procedures are performed in outpatient settings?
Here are some common procedures performed at ambulatory surgery centers across the U.S.:
| Nursing specialty | Common procedures |
|---|---|
| Gastroenterology nursing |
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| Orthopedic nursing |
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| Ophthalmology nursing |
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| Urology nursing |
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What specialties are available for outpatient nurses?
Outpatient nursing is a broad term that covers a variety of specialties that focus on different patient needs and healthcare settings. Whether you want to work with children, older adults, or patients recovering from particular conditions, there’s a niche for you. Here are some examples:
- Interventional radiology
- Endoscopy nursing
- Dermatology nursing
- OB-GYN nursing
- Aesthetic nursing
- Pain management
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