Job: Certified urology nurse at the Malizia Clinic, which offers diagnostic and other urologic services in Atlanta.
What I do: “I provide urodynamic testing [a bladder-function test] for our patients, as well as assist the physicians with other procedures and perform general clinic duties. This fall, I’ll be teaching a clinic course to train other physicians and nurses how to perform urodynamic studies.”
What got me into this: “I became a nurse in 1979 and was working in the spinal cord rehabilitation center at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta. There’s a big focus on urology in spinal cord rehab and that got me interested in the specialty.
“In 1988 I joined the urology department at Shepherd and learned how to perform urodynamic testing. I became certified in urology nursing in 1989.”
¬ Best part of the job: “Patient care. I love working one-on-one with patients to educate them about procedures and allay their anxieties. Most people’s fears are worse than anything that happens with testing. When you help them understand exactly what is going to happen, they are much more comfortable.
“These are intimate procedures and many patients are embarrassed to talk about incontinence or other bladder issues. Their problems may have kept them from going to church or attending social functions. It feels good when I can get them to open up and talk. When a treatment helps them, I’m glad to see them get back to a better quality of life.”
Most challenging part of the job: “The challenge in urology is to get good information and more concrete evidence from testing to help doctors decide on the best treatment options.”
What people don’t know about my job: “Many people have no idea what urodynamics means. They don’t know that there is specialized testing available to help doctors evaluate voiding dysfunctions. A patient will describe his symptoms, but testing will tell us why things are happening, and what kind of treatment is needed.”
What keeps me going: “Patient care is the reason I’m here. You meet people from all walks of life, and I love the interaction.”
Preparation needed: “You need to be a registered nurse interested in the specialty of urology. It helps to become certified in urology nursing, but it’s not necessary to practice.
“We don’t have an urodynamics testing certification yet, but I’m on the committee that is developing a national exam.”
Salary range: “The salary range is the same as for registered nurses, although some hospitals pay a bonus for advanced certification.”
The median salary for registered nurses in metro Atlanta is $58,590, according to the AJC Wage Finder.
Got a health care job that you love? Please send e-mail to jbrieske@ajc.com.
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