What do infectious disease nurses do?
The types of illnesses or treatments that infectious disease nurses look after on a daily basis range from exotic or tropical infections, infections resistant to multiple drugs, large and often complicated wounds requiring advanced clinical care, specialised isolation requirements; and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection.

What career opportunities are available to infectious disease nurses?
Patients found in specialty in-patient areas are often very sick and need intensive multidisciplinary care to overcome their infections and associated conditions. However, nurses who are experts in infectious diseases do more than work with these acutely ill patients in hospitals. There is also a range of roles in the community, including mobile infusion services, community health, domiciliary nursing, sexual health and in universities.

The incidence, nature and treatment of infectious diseases is changing rapidly, which means nurses must also be continually learning about new diseases, and developing new skills and ways of caring for these patients. As a nurse in this specialty, you will have the opportunity to gain expertise in wound care, drug therapies - especially in the use of antibiotics; managing transfusions; cannulation and venepuncture, and isolation nursing; managing medical emergencies; counselling; health teaching and advanced communication skills.

With a nursing background and specialised knowledge in infectious diseases, a nurse could look to a range of areas to expand their career. These include public health, sanitation, food industries, working overseas in underprivileged countries on major sanitation or epidemic issues, and education and research into mortality and morbidity.

How do I become an infectious diseases nurse?
Nurses who wish to specialise in infectious diseases would gain fantastic experience through working in a specialist unit. There are opportunities for professional development through unit and hospital-based programs. For more information on post-graduate course availability in this area, click here to go to the further education section.

Where can I get more information on nursing in the area of infectious diseases?
For more information about nursing in the area of infectious diseases please contact the Nurse Practice Coordinator, in the Infectious Diseases Ward at the Princess Alexandra Hospital. 
Phone (07) 3240 2436