Obese patients in bariatric surgical settings are the focus of bariatric nurses’ careers. Students interested in becoming a bariatric nurse must complete the same academic and licensing requirements as other entry-level nurses. A registered nurse can sit for certification as a certified bariatric nurse after gaining experience caring for obese patients. A registered nurse can specialize in bariatric nursing and make it a career by continuing education and re-certification after obtaining certification. Nurses who work in bariatric surgery can expect to assist medical doctors in caring for morbidly obese patients both before and after surgery.
Attending nursing school is the first step toward becoming a bariatric nurse. This usually entails enrolling in a nursing associate’s or bachelor’s degree program. After two years of school, you should be able to earn an associate’s degree with either option. Students who complete the associate’s program in nursing are eligible to sit for the licensing exam in most states to obtain the required license to practice as a registered nurse.
The state board of nursing administers licensing exams in most states. Graduating students should contact the appropriate licensing board in their state for information on application procedures and what to expect on the exam. A student receives a license as a registered nurse after passing the exam and passing all required background checks. However, obtaining this license is just the first step toward becoming a bariatric nurse.
If you want to work as a bariatric nurse, you’ll need to become certified by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. In order to register and sit for the exam, candidates must have at least two years of experience working with morbidly obese patients, preferably in a surgical setting, in addition to a current registered nurse license. Nurses interested in becoming a bariatric nurse should begin looking for work opportunities as soon as they graduate and receive their license.
Those who want to become a bariatric nurse must have current registered nurse licensure and two years of experience caring for morbidly obese patients in order to take the bariatric nursing exam. If a nurse passes the exam, they will be given the title of Certified Bariatric Nurse (CBN). You can then choose to specialize in the field and focus on job opportunities working with morbidly obese people once you have this certification. To keep the CBN title, re-certification is required every four years. In addition, nurses must complete continuing education units before sitting for the re-certification exam.