What do neuroscience nurses do?
Nurses in this specialty provide immediate, post-operative care for patients following neurosurgery, care of acute moderate and severe head trauma, acute intracerebral (brain) haemorrhages as well as a range of other conditions.

Other diagnoses commonly seen in neurosciences include:

• brain injury and neuro trauma
• brain and pituitary tumours
• spinal surgery patients
• acute Guillian Barre, and Myasthenia Gravis
• multiple sclerosis
• motor neurone disease
• Parkinson's disease and pallidotomy surgery
• meningitis / encephalitis
• hydrocephalus and shunting procedures.

Neuroscience nurses also provide specialist care for unconscious, quadriplegic and paraplegic patients, as well as confused and restless patients, and patients at high risk of falls.

How do I become a neuroscience nurse?
Registered nurses interested in this specialty can study neuroscience nursing electives in an on-line environment, while working either in the field or in another clinical area. These subjects then provide credit for a university graduate certificate through to masters level studies. The sub-specialties within this diverse field offer further opportunity to develop specific clinical focus and specialisation. Click here to go to the list of postgraduate nursing courses.

What opportunities are available for neuroscience nurses?
The demand for neuroscience nurses is always high, both in Australia and internationally. This can provide the neuroscience nurse with travel opportunities and job flexibility to work virtually in any major hospital. Neuroscience nursing can provide a diversity of employment opportunities from acute care / intensive care, neurology, neurosurgery units, stroke care, community care, and specialised support services in both public and private sectors
For more information on a career in neuroscience nursing, please contact:

Clinical Nurse Consultant - Neurosciences, Princess Alexandra Hospital

Phone (07) 3240 5595