[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Transplant nurses play a crucial role before, during, and after organ transplant procedures. They work with patients who are donating tissues or organs (donors), and those receiving the transplant (recipients).[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”/careers/transplant-nurse/”]Becoming a transplant nurse[/hen-ui-link] takes approximately four years or longer. The job outlook is good, with a 9% projected growth rate in opportunities for transplant nurses from 2020 to 2030, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Learn more about the job duties, workplace settings, and average salary of a transplant nurse. In this guide, discover which skills and educational/licensure requirements you need to become a transplant nurse.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]What Does a Transplant Nurse Do?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”mt-4″]A transplant nurse is an integral part of the transplant team, having more direct contact with the patient than any other team member. Specific job duties include administering medications, preparing patients for surgery, and optimizing the health of transplant recipients.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”mt-4″]Transplant nurses provide extensive patient support and teaching on every step in the transplant process.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”mt-4″]There are various types of transplant surgeries, including organs (e.g., kidneys), or other body parts or tissues (e.g., bone marrow or stem cell transplants). Each type of transplant surgery requires transplant nurses to have a different knowledge base and perform unique job duties.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-grid columns-md=”3″ gap=”md”] [/hen-ui-grid][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Where Do Transplant Nurses Work?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Transplant nurses commonly work in hospital operating rooms. A transplant nurse may also work in hospital post-op/recovery units, ambulatory surgery centers, or special organ transplant facilities.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Transplant nurses work closely with other members of the multidisciplinary team (e.g., doctors, nurses, [hen-ui-link href=”/careers/nutrition-nurse/how-to-become/”]nutritionists[/hen-ui-link], surgical technologists, etc).[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How to Become a Transplant Nurse[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A registered nurse (RN) licensure is a requirement for [hen-ui-link href=”/careers/transplant-nurse/”]transplant nurses[/hen-ui-link]; this includes RNs graduating from accredited two-year [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/adn/”]associate degree in nursing[/hen-ui-link] (ADN) programs and those with four-year [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/bsn/”]bachelor of science in nursing[/hen-ui-link] (BSN) degrees.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Once students complete either an ADN or BSN program, they must pass the [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//nclex/guide/”]National Council Licensure Examination[/hen-ui-link] (NCLEX-RN) to become a licensed RN.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]An advanced practice RN (APRN) designation, such as a certified [hen-ui-link href=”/nurse-practitioner/”]nurse practitioner[/hen-ui-link], also qualifies to work as a transplant nurse. Transplant nurse practitioners provide transplant waitlist management care, and, like RNs, they care for patients during the pre-transplant, post-transplant, and perioperatively (i.e. during surgery).[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]There are special fellowship programs, such as those offered at Mayo Clinic’s Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant Abdominal Organ Transplant Fellowship, that certify NPs as experts in organ transplants.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]After passing the NCLEX-RN, nurse graduates need clinical experience. The on-the-job experience involves working as a surgical nurse, in the postoperative/recovery unit, or working in clinical areas such as medical/surgical units.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]These careers can provide experience in getting patients ready for surgery and caring for them after they undergo a procedure.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Some employers may require specialized certification called a Certified Clinical Transplant Nurse (CCTN). This credential, offered by the [hen-ui-link href=”https://abtc.net/faqs” target=”_blank”]American Board for Transplant Certification[/hen-ui-link], demonstrates an RNs knowledge and skills in monitoring and educating transplant patients before and after their transplant procedure.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How Much Do Transplant Nurses Make?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The job outlook for RNs, including transplant nurses is good; the BLS projects increased growth of 9% in the field from 2020-2030.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]According to the BLS, the average yearly salary for RNs is $71,000. [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Registered_Nurse_(RN)/Hourly_Rate/8bdf693f/Medicine-Surgery” target=”_blank”]Payscale data[/hen-ui-link] from July 2022 reports the average hourly rate for RNs with medical/surgical experience is $31.40 per hour, with a total annual pay range from $52,000 – $92,000.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The clinical setting, an RN’s level of experience, and whether a nurse holds CCTN certification, are all factors that can impact a transplant nurse’s earning potential.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ style=”margin-top:2em”]Frequently Asked Questions about Transplant Nurses[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-separator /][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-icon icon=”circle-help” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]How long does it take to become a transplant nurse?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]It takes 2-4 years to get a registered nurse license. After licensure, most employers require two years of bedside experience in a field such as medical/surgical nursing. Some employers may require a Certified Clinical Transplant Nurse (CCTN) credential.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Certification time varies. RNs must meet the minimum qualifications (e.g., 24 months of nursing experience and 12 months caring for transplant patients), apply to take the exam, study for the test, and wait for results.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-icon icon=”circle-help” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]What’s the difference between a transplant nurse and a perioperative nurse?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A perioperative nurse works in the operating room, assisting with various surgical procedures. A transplant nurse often assists during transplant surgery, but does many other jobs as well; these include intensive patient teaching, and caring for patients before and after transplant surgery.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-icon icon=”circle-help” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]What do transplant nurses do?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Transplant nurses work closely with the transplant team to prepare living donors and recipients for transplant surgery. They also provide care during and after surgery, educating patients and family members on the procedure, risks, expected outcome, self-care after discharge, and more.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-icon icon=”circle-help” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]What is a transplant nurse practitioner?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Transplant nurse practitioners provide care during all stages of a transplant procedure. In most states, nurse practitioners can prescribe treatments and medications under the supervision of an MD.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ tag=”em”]Page Last Reviewed: Aug. 9, 2022[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Related Pages[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”slider” ids=”46134,34382,33988″][/hen-ui-article-row]