[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nurses are the backbone of the U.S. healthcare system, providing physical, emotional, and mental healthcare to patients and their families.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Neuroscience nurses are [hen-ui-link href=”/registered-nursing/”]registered nurses[/hen-ui-link] (RNs) skilled in providing care and preventive services to people from birth to the elderly with conditions or injuries affecting their brain or nervous system.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Discover more about neuroscience nursing, what they do, where they work, and how to become one.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-grid columns-md=”3″ gap=”md”] [hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-center”][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]How Long to Become[/hen-ui-text]2-4 years[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-center”][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Job Outlook[/hen-ui-text]6% growth from 2021-2031[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-center”][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Average Annual Salary[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Neurology_Nurse/Hourly_Rate” target=”_blank”]$73,360 [/hen-ui-link]as of September 2022[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][/hen-ui-grid][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]What Does a Neuroscience Nurse Do?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”mt-4″]Neuroscience nurses work with patients with a variety of neurological diagnoses. There are 400 neurological conditions, including dementia, stroke, seizure, spinal cord injury, head injury, and multiple sclerosis.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”mt-4″]Neuroscience is one of the most specialized areas of nursing: healthcare professionals need a working understanding of one of the most complex systems in the body. Injury and illness can have devastating results for the patient, from paralysis to psychosis.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”mt-4″]Nurses must use their knowledge of how the nervous system functions while caring for patients, how it integrates with the rest of the body, and have a firm grasp on the technological advances that help diagnose and care for patients with neurological dysfunction.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-grid columns-md=”3″ gap=”md”] [/hen-ui-grid][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Where Do Neuroscience Nurses Work?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Neuroscience nurses frequently work in operating rooms, rehabilitation clinics, inpatient hospital units, residential care facilities, and intensive care units. These nurses must be supportive, tolerant, and patient to cope with patients and families under extraordinary stress.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Neuroscience nurses may work with critically ill patients from admittance through rehabilitation after an injury or illness. They assess, diagnose, and discuss treatment plans with collaborating physicians. They also monitor a patient’s neurological activity and provide pre-and post-operative care.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How to Become a Neuroscience Nurse[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”/careers/neuroscience-nurse/how-to-become/”]Becoming a neuroscience nurse[/hen-ui-link] includes graduating with an accredited associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) program. After graduation, nurses must pass the [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//nclex/guide/”]NCLEX[/hen-ui-link] to receive their state RN licensure. Note that [hen-ui-link href=”/registered-nursing/rn-licensing-requirements-by-state/”]nursing licensure requirements[/hen-ui-link] vary by state.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]These nurses typically work in neuroscience or stroke care. They work in private neurology practices, hospitals, and rehabilitation centers and clinics. They can get an optional certification in the field. [hen-ui-link href=”/nurse-practitioner/”]Advanced practice registered nurses[/hen-ui-link] (APRNs) can also specialize in neuroscience nursing.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The American Board of Neuroscience Nursing (ABNN) offers the [hen-ui-link href=”https://abnncertification.org/cnrn/exam” target=”_blank”]Certified Neuroscience Registered Nurse[/hen-ui-link] (CNRN) and [hen-ui-link href=”https://abnncertification.org/scrn/about” target=”_blank”]Stroke Certified Registered Nurse[/hen-ui-link] (SCRN) certification examinations. The certification demonstrates compliance with quality standards in the industry and verifies a nurse’s knowledge.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]To take either exam, an RN must have an active license and at least one year of full-time experience in direct or indirect neuroscience care within the past three years.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Neurology Nursing vs. Neurosurgery Nursing[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Neuroscience nurses care for patients with neurological injuries or conditions. Neurosurgical patients may include those who have had craniotomies, spinal surgeries, or tumor resections. Patients may transition from neurosurgery to neurology after surgery.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-grid columns-md=”2″ gap=”md”] [hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ align=”center”]Neurology Nursing[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Common conditions include stroke, multiple sclerosis, Guillain Barre, seizure, and bacterial meningitis.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Neurology nurses may work in hospitals, private neurology offices, or outpatient clinics.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Neurology nurses assess and treat patients, provide medication administration, and assist with procedures.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Neurology nurses must be patient, have strong communication skills, and assist with mobility.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ align=”center”]Neurosurgical Nursing[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Common conditions include craniotomies, tumor resection, spinal surgery, and arteriovenous malformations.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Neurosurgical nurses work in an inpatient hospital setting, including the operating room.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Neurosurgical nurses provide pre-and post-operative care, monitor a patient’s neurological status, and may help with surgical procedures.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Neurosurgical nurses must work under pressure in a fast-paced environment, have strong communication skills, and be a lifelong learner.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][/hen-ui-grid][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How Much Do Neuroscience Nurses Make?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Neuroscience nurses are highly skilled healthcare professionals. [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Neurology_Nurse/Hourly_Rate” target=”_blank”]According to Payscale[/hen-ui-link], the average annual salary for a neuroscience nurse is $73,360 as of October 2022.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Several factors influence a[hen-ui-link href=”/careers/neuroscience-nurse/”] neuroscience nurse’s salary[/hen-ui-link]. These include geographical location, practice setting, experience, and certification. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects nursing jobs to grow 6% from 2021-2031, which is average for all occupations.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]National estimates show the highest percentage of nurses work in general medical and surgical hospitals, followed by outpatient clinics.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ style=”margin-top:2em”]Frequently Asked Questions about Neuroscience Nurses[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-separator /][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-icon icon=”circle-help” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]What is a neurologist nurse called?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A nurse who works with neurology patients is called a neuroscience nurse, neural nurse, or neurosurgical nurse. Neuroscience nurses may also be called rehabilitation nurses, stroke nurses, or head injury nurses depending on their patient population.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-icon icon=”circle-help” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]Is neuro-nursing stressful?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Neuro-nursing can be fast-paced and stressful, depending on the environment. The status of patients with bacterial meningitis or a traumatic brain injury can change rapidly. Patients with a neurological injury or condition may have personality alterations or difficulty communicating. Nurses must be supportive and patient to care for these individuals.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-icon icon=”circle-help” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]What is neurosurgery nursing?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Neurosurgical procedures are those used to treat individuals with a neurological injury or illness, such as a craniotomy or brain tumor removal, spinal cord decompression after an injury, or shunt placement for children with hydrocephalus. The procedures can be challenging and stressful for the patient and the family.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-icon icon=”circle-help” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]What do neuroscience nurses do?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Neuroscience nurses are responsible for the assessment, diagnosis, and intervention of patients with a neurological injury or illness. They monitor the patient’s neurological status, recommend interventions, administer medications, and assist with retraining the individual to return to their activities of daily living.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Related Pages[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”slider” ids=”46134,33995,46230″][/hen-ui-article-row]