Sarah Falcone, BSN, RN

Nurse Types / Military Nurse

A military nurse is a member of the armed forces who provides health care to military personnel and their families. Military nurses work in various settings, including hospitals, clinics, and field hospitals. They are some of the most highly trained nurses in the world—and they have incredibly rewarding careers!

If you’re considering becoming a nurse with any branch of our military services, keep reading! This post explains what it takes, including education requirements, and links to help you get started right away on the path towards becoming a military nurse.

• What is a military nurse?
• What do military nurses do?
• Where do military nurses work?
• What are specific types of military nurses?
• How do you become a military nurse?
• What are additional requirements of military nurses?
• Military career advancement
• What are some things to consider before joining the military?
• FAQs

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What is a military nurse?

A military nurse is a member of the armed forces who provides health care to military personnel and their families. Nurses in the military are responsible for providing care to patients under the direction of physicians. They provide basic medical services such as patient assessments and treatment of injuries or illnesses. 

Nurses also provide specialized care such as helping patients who have undergone surgery or who have had injuries sustained in battle. Military nurses may be assigned to one of several types of units depending on their specialty area of practice.

Qualities of a successful military nurse

A successful career as a military nurse takes special qualities. Caring for soldiers and veterans requires empathy. Also, working in war zones can be stressful. Military nurses must be compassionate and able to deal with high-stress situations. 

What do military nurses do?

Military nurses are responsible for providing medical care to military members and their families. They often work in military or veterans’ hospitals and clinics but may also provide emergency medical care on board ships or planes.

Military nurses provide a wide range of services, including:

• Preventive health care
• Emergency medical care
• Mental health care
• Rehabilitative care
• Obstetric (prenatal) care
• Pediatric care

A day in the life of a military nurse

Like their civilian counterparts, military nurses spend most of their time caring for patients and families. A day in the life of a military nurse will vary depending on the nurse’s specialty and location. Most days include:

• Triage or assessments
• Administering medications and treatments
• Educating patients and families

Military nurses provide care for a wide range of conditions, from minor injuries and illnesses to life-threatening conditions such as heart attacks. They also assist with surgeries, births, and pediatric visits, as well as provide testing for specific diseases like tuberculosis or influenza. 

They make sure soldiers and sailors get their vaccines, take care of their wounds, and treat them if they are sick. 

Where do military nurses work?

Military nurses work in a variety of settings. They may be stationed at a military base, hospital, clinic, or medical center. 

What are specific types of military nurses?

Military nurses can work in one of the branches of the armed forces, including:

• Army
• Air Force
• Navy 
• Marine
• Coast Guard

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How do you become a military nurse?

Step 1 – Become a registered nurse

Earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Becoming a registered nurse in the military requires a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. The BSN is a four-year program that includes both classroom learning and clinical experience.

One way to earn your BSN is to enroll directly into a bachelor’s degree program at an accredited institution. However, if you are currently enrolled in or considering an associate degree program, you will need to go a different route. 

Nurses with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and nursing experience can enroll in an RN-to-BSN program. This is typically a 1–2 year program of additional classroom instruction to get you to the bachelor degree level. You’ll complete courses on research and evidence-based practice. 

Pass the NCLEX exam

Once you have your bachelor’s degree, the next step is passing the National Council Licensure Examination for NCLEX-RN. This computerized exam is required in all states to get a nursing license.

Step 2 – Accumulate experience

Experience is a key factor in becoming a military nurse. You must accumulate one year of clinical experience before enlisting in the military as a nurse. After graduation, you can gain valuable experience through:

• Volunteering with your community’s Medical Reserve Corps
• Shadowing in a specialty area
• Civilian nursing jobs

Civilian experience

After completing a nursing degree, you should practice at a hospital or clinic before joining the military. The military branches require 1-3 years of experience in your desired area. Previous work experience will set you apart from other applicants. Also, your training will be useful when transitioning to your new military career. 

Enlist

When the requirements are met, the next step is to enlist. 

To be “enlisted” means you have successfully become a service member and taken an oath of U.S. military service. The enlistment process usually begins with speaking to a military recruiter.

After enlistment, you will be assigned to a base and given a rank based on your education, experience, and training level. 

Talk to recruiter

When you are ready to move forward, find a recruiter. This person will be your guide on the path to your military career. They’ll take care of all the paperwork and make sure your application process is organized. 

Ask questions! Your recruiter will be able to help you understand the process. And they will explain what life in the military looks like, and help you plan for your life as a military officer.

Apply

With your recruiter’s help, you can apply for military nursing programs. Each branch has separate requirements, and the application process will be different in each case. 

After you apply, a military nursing board will determine your eligibility for service as a nurse in the armed forces.

Complete Basic Officer Leadership Course (BOLC)

Basic Officer Leadership Course (BOLC) is a basic training program for new officers. It typically lasts between three and five months. BOLC teaches you how to lead in the military.

BOLC is designed to prepare newly commissioned officers from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines for their first assignments as platoon leaders. It is a time of intense instruction on military protocols and regulations. Successful graduates receive certificates and the skills necessary for success as future leaders in the military.

Step 3 – Obtain certifications

Although there isn’t a nursing certification specific to the military, nurses can still obtain certifications in their specialties. 

For example, a military officer working as a perioperative nurse in an Army hospital could become certified in perioperative nursing. Or, a military nurse working in a psychiatric clinic for veterans could be certified in mental health-psychiatric nursing. 

All of the certifications available to civilian nurses are open to military nurses. In fact, being specialized in your field may also make your application for military service more attractive. 

To see the current nursing certifications available to nurses in 2022, check out Incredible Health’s list!

What are additional requirements of military nurses? 

Military nurses must meet additional requirements, including:

• Qualifying tests
• Age, height, and weight requirements that are branch-specific
• Hearing and vision 
• Medical history 
• Background checks
• Drug screening

In addition to entrance requirements listed above, military nurses may also have to earn and maintain valid CPR certifications, including basic life support (BLS), pediatric advanced life support (PALS), or advanced cardiovascular life support (ACLS) certification. 

What are the salary and career outlooks for military nurses? 

Each service branch has slightly different names for their respective ranks, but the pay grades are the same. In all branches, the letter “O” (for Officer) is placed in front of a number to determine pay grade. The number corresponds to how high the officer ranks. Here are the rankings in order.

Military Pay Grades (salaries listed according to Army/Navy rank)

Other benefits

Military nurses get more than a generous salary. They get comprehensive benefits including health insurance and retirement options from the military.

Benefits also include:

• Paid vacation and holidays
• Sick leave
• Education reimbursement
• Sign on bonus
• Travel opportunities

In addition to basic pay and benefits, military nurses get significant allowances for specific needs, such as food or housing.

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Military nurse career advancement

Military nurses are promoted through the ranks based on performance and time served. Currently, an Army officer is promoted to first lieutenant automatically 18 months after commissioning, and to captain automatically after 48 months, no matter where they’ve progressed in their training. 

In the Marine Corps and Air Force, you will be promoted after 24 months of service. These promotions are based on what’s called the “time in service” (TIS) requirement. 

As you rise through the ranks, promotions become more competitive and the military looks at your performance more carefully.

Job satisfaction

The U.S. military is one of the most highly respected organizations in the country. As a military nurse, you will gain great fulfillment from being well-respected by your peers. You also get satisfaction from knowing that you are making a difference each day by serving those who defend our nation. 

What are some things to consider before joining the military?

Becoming a military nurse can be very rewarding and very demanding. You may be away on deployment for months at a time. You may work long hours that are physically and emotionally demanding. 

There are many questions to ask yourself before signing a contract:

• What do you want to get out of your time in the military?
• Do you think you can serve out your enlistment?
• Will the military pay for my education?
• How are you at taking orders?

Next steps

There are several ways to advance your career as a military nurse. 

One path is to take on more responsibility within the military. For example, if you were working at a clinic in Washington, DC, you could accept an assignment in an overseas location to move up the ranks.

Military nurses can also consider new military opportunities outside of nursing. Your squadron base or hospital may have openings in administration or research that could be of interest to you. 

For more information about nursing in the Air Force, visit http://www.airforce.com or http://www.afreserve.com/nurses.asp.

For more information on the Army Nurse Corps, visit http://healthcare.goarmy.com/nurse.

For more information on the Navy, visit http://www.navy.com/traincareer/nurse.jsp and http://www.navy-reserve-jobs.com/opportunities.html.

FAQs

Nurse Types / ER Nurse

Emergency Room (ER) nurses must be quick thinking, have excellent decision-making skills, and be efficient multitaskers. They treat patients of all ages and backgrounds for a variety of issues.

These nurses are responsible for stabilizing patients before they are transferred to other hospital units. Emergency room nurses play a vital role in treating patients and ensuring they reach the unit they’re admitted to when they need further care.

Many ER patients are experiencing life-threatening situations, and the emergency department nurse and associated care team must be quick to triage, stabilize, revive, or resolve these issues before getting the patient the necessary care.  

In the article, we will explore the following:

• What is an ER nurse?
• What does an ER nurse do?
• Where do ER nurses work?
• What are specific types of ER nurses?
• How do you become an ER nurse in 3 steps?
• What are additional requirements of ER nurses?
• What are the salary and career outlooks for ER nurses? 
• FAQs

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What is an ER nurse?

An ER nurse works in the Emergency Department of hospitals and urgent care centers. They triage and provide care to patients facing medical emergencies.

Qualities of a successful ER nurse

To succeed as an ER nurse, you must be able to:

• Communicate clearly
• Cope with difficult situations
• Gain patient’s trust easily
• Remain cool under pressure
• Think and act quickly

What does an ER nurse do?

As mentioned, ER nurses must think on their feet, make decisive actions, and have strong stomachs. But it’s not all “codes and gore,” according to Alexandria Dunn, RN, an Incredible Health talent advocate. “There is a lot of social work involved, and you must know how to utilize the resources in that area.”

Duties for nurses in the ER include:

• Rapid triage and ongoing assessment
• Receive report from EMS
• Perform wound care and management
• Draw blood and start IVs 
• Coordinate care and complete insurance paperwork
• Work with social work/case management to ensure safety after discharge
• Respond to allergic reactions
• Record and report patient status
• Manage traumas and life-threatening emergencies
• Assist with orthopedic procedures (e.g., splinting or reducing fractures)
• Running codes utilizing ACLS/PALS algorithms
• Administer medications
• Assist with sterile bedside procedures (e.g., chest tube placement or central line insertion)
• Assist with conscious sedation (e.g., medication administration, consent, monitoring)
• Use and maintain medical equipment (e.g., crash carts or oxygen equipment)
• Set up for blood transfusion and administer blood products
• Discharge and care coordination (explain discharge instructions and coordinate transportation)

“ER nursing is more than just the clinical side, especially if you work the night shift with no resources. You become the nurse and the social worker depending on the area you serve,” Dunn explains. 

A day in the life of an ER nurse

Nurse Erika Harrison shares a typical 12-hour shift in a day in the life of an ER nurse.

• 05:00 – Wake up, shower, and pack a lunch to get out the door by 6:20.
• 06:45 – Pre-shift meeting to talk about admitted patients waiting on beds, a new form the facility has rolled out, and patient satisfaction scores.
• 07:00 – Receive assignments. On this shift, Erika has three patients: a 70-year-old male with chest pain, a life-long smoker with respiratory distress, and an empty room that a stroke victim will soon fill.
• 09:00 – The stroke patient arrives, and it is showtime. Within 15 minutes of arrival, the nurse started an IV, drew blood, and transported the patient to CT. 
• 09:50 – The CT results confirm that the patient had a stroke due to a blood clot. Potentially life-saving clot-busting medications are mixed and started. 
• 11:00 – The stroke patient is stable and waiting for a bed, so it’s time to check on the other patients. The respiratory patient has started to crash. Oxygen is not working, so it’s time to intervene. The doctor at the bedside is talking to the patient and family about their advanced directives and Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) status.
• Noon – Time to transport the patient who had a stroke to the Neuro ICU. Then the chest pain patient is discharged. A new patient is coming soon, an 8-year-old with a possible broken arm from a fall off the monkey bars. 
• 1:30-3:00 – Settle in the kiddo and transport the respiratory patient upstairs to an inpatient bed. A new patient is incoming. The diagnosis is chest pain. Then suddenly, over the speaker, she is called to a code. A 50-year-old, relatively healthy male was mowing his grass when he suddenly felt short of breath and sweaty. The nurse heads toward the code, and the ER team quickly and methodically works to apply oxygen, start an IV, draw blood, and administer medications. The nurse helps prepare the patient for transport to the cath lab.
• 4:30 – X-rays are back on the pediatric patient, showing a displaced fracture. The bone will have to be set, so an orthopedic doctor is called. The nurse assists with conscious sedation, and the doctor sets the bone within a few minutes. 
• 4:50 – Goes back to the skills fair and checks in with other educators; then teaches another session on PCA pump set-ups. Skills Fair for the day ends, and she stays until 7:45 grading tests. 
• 6:00 – Round on all patients: draw blood work, administer fluids, give medications, send patients for tests. 
• 7:00 – Night Shift arrives. Time to give them a report and head home.

Where do ER nurses work?

Nearly every hospital has an Emergency Department where patients can be triaged, stabilized, admitted, transferred, or discharged. It is important to note that while nearly every facility can handle receiving or admitting patients for an emergency, many smaller facilities transfer to larger, better-equipped facilities or other departments once a patient is stable.

There are also stand-alone ERs not attached to a hospital that will stabilize and transfer patients. If an ED nurse desires higher care opportunities and experiences, they may want to pursue employment at a higher acuity facility.

What are the specific types of ER nurses?

Within the field of emergency medicine, each of these have specialized training to care for different types of patients that may come through the ER:

• Burn Center ER Nurse
• Flight Nurse 
• Pediatric ER Nurse
• Sexual Abuse Nurse Examiner (SANE) 
• Trauma Nurse

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How do you become an ER nurse in 3 steps?

Step 1 – Become a registered nurse

Earn a nursing degree

To become an ER nurse, you must have a nursing degree. 

Associate Degree in Nurse (ADN): To practice as a professionally licensed RN, the minimum you must achieve is an ADN. This program associate’s program typically takes two years to complete (after two years of the appropriate prerequisites).

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): To maintain a professional advantage, you may choose to begin your education with a BSN degree program. This program usually takes four years to complete. Much like an ADN program, they combine classroom work, lectures, labor work, clinical experiences, and practicums. In general, bachelor’s programs deliver more than what is taught in ADN programs, better equipping RNs for professional practice.  

Many “bridge” programs allow students to move from an ADN to BSN or a BSN to MSN. 

If you already have your RN licensure, there are also the RN to BSN and the RN to MSN programs. 

Another option is accelerated programs which allow you to pursue a nursing degree if you have a bachelor’s in another field.

Pass the NCLEX exam

To become a registered nurse, you must pass the NCLEX-RN for Registered Nursing. Passing this exam will grant you eligibility as a registered nurse and allow you to continue on the path toward emergency nursing. 

Step 2 – Accumulate experience

To become an ER nurse, you must gain relevant experience in the hospital. Some examples include:

• Working as a tech or CNA in the ER
• Work on an acute care/Med Surg floor to get the nursing basics
• Spend time as a unit clerk 

Other options include volunteering in an ER, shadowing nurses, or working as a psych sitter. Having this kind of relevant experience will help you during the hiring process.

Step 3 – Obtain certifications

ER nurses can become certified in their fields. Specialty certifications they can earn include:

• Trauma Nurse Core Course (TNCC) Developed by the Emergency Nurses Association, this credential is a two-day course to present core knowledge, refine skills, and strengthen the RN foundation. This course teaches how to treat trauma patients, including triage, assessment, and interventions, and respond to mass casualty events. Nurses must renew their certification every four years. 
• Certified Emergency Nurse (BCEN) This credential is given by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing. Though the recommendation is two years of ED experience, there is no professional experience requirement before one can take the BCEN exam. Renewal is every four years.
• State-mandated continuing education (CEUs) Each state has different continuing education requirements. You can learn more about your options and complete all your nursing CEUs free on Incredible Health’s site.

What are additional requirements of ER nurses? 

There may be additional requirements for some nursing educator jobs. For example, medical device companies or pharmaceutical companies that use nurse educators may require travel. 

Nurses who work in the ER will likely be required to maintain the following certifications:

• BLS – This credential teaches high-quality CPR and cardiovascular life support skills. It is usually required before hire or immediately after hire. Nurses must renew it every two years.
• ACLS – This course builds on the basic skills of BLS and trains nurses on how to run a code. In ACLS, you learn algorithms to help treat lethal rhythms. It is much more intense than BLS, and you must understand cardiac rhythms and medications. It is usually required before hire or immediately after hire. Nurses must renew it every two years.
• PALS – Though many facilities may transfer these patients out, PALS is still often required for ER nurses, as they will still have to assess, treat, and stabilize. Renewal is every two years.

What are the salary and career outlooks for nurse educators? 

There will always be a demand for highly trained Emergency Department staff to respond to life’s emergencies. Because of this, the ER nurse outlook remains strong. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the average growth for registered nurse jobs to be around 6% between 2021 and 2031.

According to data from Incredible Health, the average salary for ER nurses is $91,071. However, you can expect a range based on geography, nursing credentials, education, and experience.

Find out the highest paying states and cities for nurses.

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Job satisfaction

The majority of ER nurses love their jobs. According to a survey by the Emergency Nurses Association, 64% of respondents reported being very or extremely satisfied with their job.

Next Steps

A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is not required for professional nursing practice. However, you may choose to obtain a master’s degree. With this degree you can become an Emergency Nurse Practitioner. This opens the door to teaching opportunities, higher pay, and greater responsibilities.

A career as an ER nurse is sure to keep one on their toes mentally, physically, and emotionally. These nurses are masters of efficient assessment and response and excellent communicators, leaders, and collaborators. Are you a quick thinker and an excellent decision-maker? ER nursing may be for you if you thrive in fast-paced, unpredictable environments.

FAQs

Career Resources / Nurse Abbreviations and Acronyms

Nursing, like most jobs, has its own language. From credentials to certifications and specialties, it can get a little confusing for new nurses, patients, or families who want to know what is going on in a healthcare setting. 

In this post, we will give you an overview of various acronyms and abbreviations that are most used for nurses and in hospitals.

• Common professional licenses
• Common nursing certifications
• Hospital acronyms and abbreviations
• Common nursing degrees
• Nursing degree FAQs

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Common professional licenses

• A-GNP – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
• APRN – Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
• CNS – Clinical Nurse Specialist
• CRNA – Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
• FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
• LPN – Licensed Practical Nurse
• LVN – Licensed Vocational Nurse
• NP – Nurse Practitioner
• PMHNP – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
• RN – Registered Nurse
• WHNP – Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner

Common nursing certifications

• CCM – Certified Case Manager
• CDN – Certified Dialysis Nurse
• CNA – Certified Nursing Assistant
• CNE – Certified Nurse Educator
• CNL – Clinical Nurse Leader
• CNM – Certified Nurse Midwife
• LNC – Legal Nurse Consultant
• OCN – Oncology Nurse Certified
• RNC – Registered Nurse Certified 
• SANE – Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner
• TCRN – Trauma Certified Registered Nurse
• TNS – Trauma Nurse Specialist
• WCC – Wound Care Certified
• WCN-C – Wound Care Nurse Certified
• WOCN, WOC – Wound, Ostomy, Continence Nurse

Hospital acronyms and abbreviations

• A&O – Alert and Oriented
• ACLS – Advanced Cardiac Life Support
• AMA – Against Medical Advice
• BLS – Basic Life Support
• C&S – Culture and Sensitivity test
• CCU – Critical Care Unit
• CEU – Continuing Education Units
• CMA – Certified Medical Assistant
• CRT – Certified Respiratory Therapist
• CNO – Chief Nursing Officer
• DNR – Do Not Resuscitate
• DO – Doctor of Osteopathy
• ER – Emergency Room
• H&P – History and Physical
• I&O – Intake and Output
• ICU – Intensive Care Unit
• IM – Internal Medicine
• L&D – Labor and Delivery Unit
• LOC – Level of Consciousness
• MD – Medical Doctor
• MSW – Medical Social Worker
• NICU – Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
• NPO – nothing by mouth (in Latin)
• NRP – Neonatal Resuscitation Program
• OBT – OB Triage Unit
• OR – Operating Room
• OT – Occupational Therapy/Therapist
• PACU – Post Anesthesia Care Unit
• PALS – Pediatric Advanced Life Support
• PCA – Patient Care Assistant
• PCU – Progressive Care Unit
• PPE – Personal Protective Equipment
• PRN – As required (in Latin) 
• PT – Physical Therapy/Therapist
• RT – Respiratory Therapy/Therapist
• ST – Speech Therapy/Therapist
• Tele – Telemetry Unit

Common nursing degrees

• ADN – Associate Degree in Nursing: The ADN degree is considered a two-year college degree. It prepares students to pass the NCLEX-RN exam and become registered nurses (RNs).
• BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing: A BSN degree is a four-year college degree. BSN programs include the same course work that ADNs cover, plus additional courses in management and research. Students who graduate with a bachelor’s degree become eligible to take the NCLEX-RN test to get licensed as an RN.
• MSN – Master of Science in Nursing: The MSN degree can take two years or more to complete. For acceptance into an MSN program, students must already have an ADN or BSN degree and a nursing license. A master’s degree prepares students to take certification exams in their specialty and become nurse practitioners (NPs) or advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs).
• DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice: A DNP degree can take two years or more to complete with full-time study. To be accepted into a doctoral program, students must already have an ADN, BSN, or MSN degree and a nursing license. DNP graduates can also become certified as NPs or APRNs. 

Nursing degree FAQs

Final thoughts

There are hundreds more nursing abbreviations and acronyms out there. From time to time, even nurses may forget one, or have to look something up. So if you come across a term you don’t understand, don’t sweat it. A simple search online may help, or you can always ask a trusted healthcare professional. Check out Incredible Health’s Community for help. We hope this guide has helped! 

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Nurse Types / Utilization Review Nurse

The U.S. spends more on healthcare than other developed countries yet has poorer outcomes. As a result, our government, insurance companies, and healthcare organizations are looking for ways to lower costs and improve care. That’s where utilization review nurses come in. 

Utilization review, or UR, is a growing specialty. Utilization review nurses are registered nurses (RNs) who monitor patient care and help control costs for various facilities and agencies. This post discusses the specialty and tells you how to become a utilization review nurse in three steps. 

• What is a utilization review nurse?
• What do utilization review nurses do?
• Where do utilization review nurses work?
• What are specific types of utilization review nurses? 
• How do you become a utilization review nurse in 3 steps?
• What are additional requirements of utilization review nurses? 
• What are the salary and career outlooks for utilization review nurses?

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What is a utilization review nurse?

Utilization review nurses, also called UR nurses, specialize in data collection and medical record review. They help bridge gaps between healthcare administration, direct care staff, and the insurance companies paying for services. 

UR nurses analyze cases. In addition, they identify trends that show areas for care quality improvement and cost savings within an organization. 

Qualities of a successful utilization review nurse

UR nursing is different from bedside nursing and requires unique skills. 

Much of the job requires sorting through records. Another important part of the job is coaching and training nurses, doctors, and other healthcare professionals in best practices. That’s why these specific qualities will help utilization review nurses succeed in their roles.

• Analytical and detail-oriented
• Strong leader
• Resourceful
• Adaptable
• Tech-savvy

What do utilization review nurses do?

UR nurses perform utilization reviews to identify care issues and validate patient treatment plans. They perform the following duties:

• Advise physicians on suggestions for documentation clarity and completeness
• Audit patient charts
• Collaborate with physicians when documentation does not appear to support the level of care
• Collect relevant medical information by phone or fax 
• Educate physicians and other care team members on appropriate resources, billing, and compliance issues
• Obtain or approve authorizations for treatments and services
• Provide staff coaching on utilization trends and ways to improve patient outcomes
• Review inpatient records for compliance with evidence-based guidelines

A day in the life of a utilization review nurse

Here’s an example of a typical day in the life of a utilization review nurse. 

• 8:00 a.m.  Log in to the work portal, check emails and voicemails. Address any urgent care updates or patient care issues.
• 9:00 a.m.  Attend a scheduled care conference on Zoom. 
• 10:00 a.m. Work on medical record reviews and phone providers to verify chart details, request medical records, or clarify incomplete notes. 
• 10:30 a.m.  Visit an assigned facility to check patient charts and talk with patients and families about their treatment plans.
• 1:30 p.m. Leave the facility to work from home for the remainder of the day. 
• 2:00 p.m.  Check emails and respond to messages from the team, providers, or patients. 
• 3:00 p.m.  Conduct reviews for patients that may need insurance approval for extended hospitalizations, special treatments, or transfer to a higher level of care.
• 5:30 p.m. Log off for the day!

Common conditions treated by utilization review nurses

Utilization management teams often monitor high-risk or high-utilizer patients (HUP) since they are associated with higher healthcare costs. One study said that the top 10% of HUPs accounted for 66% of U.S. healthcare expenditures. It also found that the top five most costly medical diagnoses were:

• Heart disease
• Trauma-related disorders
• Cancer
• Mental disorders
• COPD and asthma

UR nurses work with staff nurses and case managers to improve care and decrease costs for patients with these conditions. 

Where do utilization review nurses work?

UR nurses work for companies of all sizes. These nurses work at:

• Health systems
• Hospitals
• Physician office groups
• Insurance companies
• Government agencies
• Workers compensation bureaus
• U.S. military
• Correctional facilities
• Third-party agencies

Some UR nursing positions are remote, while others require staff to work in an office. Some roles require travel to employer facilities to meet with patients, staff, and providers.

Closely related fields

Here are a few nursing specialties that are similar to UR nursing. 

• Case Management (CM) nurses create and manage care plans for high-risk patients with chronic conditions such as Alzheimer’s, cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. 
• Utilization Management (UM) nurses work with facilities to respond to trends that the UR nurses identify. UM is more proactive, while UR is retrospective and reviews cases after services have been ordered or provided. 

How do you become a utilization review nurse in 3 steps?

Step 1 – Become a registered nurse

A UR nurse must first become a licensed registered nurse (RN). Although you can take a few paths, this is the most direct. 

Earn a BSN degree 

While some companies hire experienced UR nurses with nursing degrees at any level, most UR nurse positions require a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. That’s why the most efficient way to become a UR nurse is to obtain a bachelor’s degree first.

There are the other pathways. 

1. If you already received your RN license from an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), you can enroll in an RN-to-BSN program.
2. If you have a bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing, you should find an accelerated BSN, or ABSN, program to earn a nursing degree for utilization review.
3. A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is higher than a bachelor’s degree and therefore preferred by some employers.

Pass the NCLEX exam

After graduating from nursing school, you must sign up for the NCLEX exam. This exam tests knowledge needed in order to become a successful nurse. Every state requires a passing score on the NCLEX to issue an RN license. When you pass the NCLEX, you will receive your nursing license and be ready for the next step.

Step 2 – Accumulate experience

Utilization review nurses use their experience and knowledge in nursing care to promote the best use of hospital and health system resources. For this reason, most UR nurse positions require 2-5 years of RN experience in acute, inpatient settings. To be good at UR, nurses must be familiar with how things work inside the hospital. 

If you want to become a UR nurse in a specialty facility, such as a pediatric hospital, you will also need 1–3 years of specialty experience.

Helpful skills and experience

In addition to acute care experience, UR Nurses will also benefit from experience in the following:

• Working with insurance prior authorizations
• Management experience
• Billing and coding experience
• Knowledge of InterQual or Milliman

UR nurses must be familiar with insurance and even know insurance policies. So nurses who want to work in utilization review should try to understand and learn about benefits and coverages when they come up on the job.

Changing specialty to a utilization review nurse

UR nursing is different from direct care in a setting like med-surg because there is less patient interaction and more paperwork. UR nursing may be a good fit for nurses who feel burned out at the bedside and want to change specialties. In utilization review, you use your clinical skills and knowledge without some of the physical and mental demands of direct care. 

The upside is that UR nurses tend to work normal business hours, Monday through Friday, with weekends and holidays off. Nurses in UR can find greater work/life balance. Still, they may have to rotate on-call shifts. 

If you’re considering a career change, check out Incredible Health’s Nursing Career Resource page for more job tips. 

Step 3 – Obtain certifications

Here are a few specialty certifications demonstrating competency in utilization review for UR nurses. 

• The American Board of Quality Assurance and Utilization Review Physicians offers a certification for UR nurses. It is called the Health Care and Quality Management (HCQM) certification. 

• The American Society for Healthcare Risk Management (ASHRM) offers a Health Care Risk Management Certificate (HRM).

• MCG Care Guidelines offers a certification in utilization management that may benefit UR nurses called Care Guidelines Specialist in Utilization Management.

Other certifications that complement utilization review and would be helpful to have, include:

• Certified Case Manager (ACM)
• Certified Managed Care Nurse (AAMCN)
• Certified Nurse Case Manager (ANCC)

What are additional requirements of utilization review nurses? 

Since many utilization review positions are fully remote or hybrid positions, employers may have special home office requirements. To ensure nurses access facility records safely and efficiently, utilization review nurses may need

• A quiet, dedicated workspace
• High-speed wired internet connection with speed minimums (25 Mbps download,10 Mbps upload)

UR nurses who work on-site in hospitals may be required to maintain current Basic Life Support (BLS) or Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification.

Also, depending on the nurse’s practice state, they may be required to complete a number of continuing education units each year as a condition of their RN license. 

What are the salary and career outlooks for utilization review nurses? 

According to ZipRecruiter, the average annual salary for UR nurses was $79,456 in August 2022. Top earners in the 90th percentile earned as much as $107,000. The lowest utilization review RN pay reported was around $52,000. The highest-paying cities reported for UR nurses are Atkinson, Nebraska and Frankston, TX.

The job outlook for RNs in utilization review is promising. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for RNs is projected to increase by 6% between 2021 and 2031. Jobs in utilization tend to be secure, and there are plenty of advancement opportunities.

Job satisfaction

Job satisfaction is high in this specialty because utilization review positions offer multiple advantages like regular schedules and work predictability. 

To get career advice from nurses in the field, visit the Questions and Advice page to connect with the nursing community.

Next steps

Here are a few ways nurses in utilization review can advance their careers and gain additional opportunities. 

• Get certified! Even if you already have one certification, you can add additional credentials to show your expertise in utilization review.
• Return to school for a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree with a focus on leadership or management.
• Explore an alternate degree such as business. 
• Start a consulting business.

If utilization review sounds like a good fit, what are you waiting for? Get started, and apply for UR nurse jobs today! Use this post to highlight your experience and UR-related skills on your resume, and you may just land your next nursing dream job. 

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