Triage is an essential part of emergency medical care. It streamlines the process, ensuring that more people receive proper care within an appropriate time frame. A triage analysis is only as good as the nurse that conducts it, so finding triage nurses that are competent, capable, and dedicated is a high priority for medical facilities. But how do nurses get to that point?  If you’ve ever considered becoming a triage nurse, here is what you should know.

What Does a Triage Nurse Do?

A triage nurse is very often the first contact patients have when they arrive at a hospital seeking emergency care. In this way, triage nurses set the tone for the visit and act as the bridge between patient and practitioner. These nurses conduct patients’ initial assessments, determining what level of care a patient requires and placing them in the appropriate position in the hospital’s queue. 

Once they determine the kind of care a patient requires (emergency care, a scheduled doctor’s visit, or home-conducted self-care), triage nurses make sure the patient is sent to the right location as quickly as possible so they can benefit from the right treatment resources. To do this, they must act with authority and calmness even in emergency medical situations.

The work that triage nurses do keeps patient waiting times to a minimum. Perhaps more importantly, it maximizes the efficiency of hospital resources. Those looking into becoming a triage nurse should be prepared to serve as intermediaries, helping doctors and other nurses get up-to-speed on what is needed for specific patients.

What Skills Are Needed to Be a Triage Nurse?

Proper training and dedication to the role is essential in nursing candidates. Triage nursing requires honed skills in communication, assessment, decision making, and quick thinking. Candidates should be able to work well in high-pressure situations, and they should definitely have a keen desire to help people.

Becoming a Triage Nurse

Becoming a triage nurse requires proper training and certification. These qualifications prepare triage nurses to make proper medical judgments in a short amount of time, allowing them to be well-versed in medical diagnosis and practices. 

Triage Nurse Training

The training required for becoming a triage nurse requires dedication, for the process can be long and challenging. Triage nurses must be registered nurses (RNs). This status requires earning an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), or another diploma of nursing. Upon completion of such training but before becoming a triage nurse, candidates must pass the NCLEX-RN exam The National Council of State Boards of Nursing administers this standardized. With a passing NCLEX-RN score, nurses can obtain a state-specific license to practice as an RN.

Occasionally entry-level telephone triage positions are opened up to licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs). This qualification requires a nursing diploma or certificate. In lieu of the NCLEX-RN exam, LVNs and LPNs are required to take the NCLEX-PN exam.

Some medical facilities give priority to nurses with a BSN over other training because of the added experience. Professional RN experience and certain certifications can also improve candidates’ prospects. If an RN has an interest in building a leadership career, he or she may also consider pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN).

Triage Nurse Certification

Additional nursing certifications can make candidates more appealing to medical employers. There is a wide variety available. For example, after logging 2,000 hours or more of work experience in a hospital or clinical setting, nurses become eligible to take the American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing’s Ambulatory Care Nursing Certification (AMB-BC). Such certification indicates that the individual has the requisite entry-level skills to provide ambulatory care as a triage nurse.

How Long Does It Take to Become a Triage Nurse?

The length of time it takes nursing candidates to become nurses depends on many factors, including what kind of degree they pursue, whether they attend school part- or full-time, and which certifications they undertake. For example, a candidate looking to become a licensed vocational nurse is likely to finish before someone aspiring for an MSN.   

Becoming a triage nurse is a challenging but rewarding pursuit. The “right” degrees and certifications for your situation depend on the kind of triage nursing career you want to shape. For first-hand professional experience, recommendations, or advice, reach out a few triage nurses working in the industry currently.