Industrial Nurse Salary

An industrial nurse is a registered nurse who works for a large corporation or factory, providing services solely to employees of the business which employs them. To be employed as an industrial nurse, one must first complete a minimum of a 2-year associate's degree in nursing, pass the national licensing test for registered nurses (NCLEX), and apply for and receive licensing in the individual’s state of practice. State licensing requires a clean background check. Nursing program admission is highly competitive, and is based on prior grades, volunteer service, personal statements and professional letters of recommendation. Some organizations may prefer to hire industrial nurses with a minimum of a 4-year degree (BSN). No specific training or certificate in industrial nursing in addition to being a registered nurse is required, but on-the-job training and orientation may be provided. Salaries will vary based on geographic location, and will be commiserate with experience. Industrial nurses generally work a standard Monday-through-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-to-5:00 p.m. workweek, with holidays and weekends off. The work environment is mainly an indoor office setting. Exposure to hazardous materials, including bodily fluids, is possible. The daily activities of the industrial nurse include monitoring and promoting the health and safety of the company employees, responding to accidents on the job site, providing emergency care if needed until further assistance arrives, treating employee illnesses and assisting with workers' compensation claims. Industrial nurses educate workers regarding safe job practices and healthy lifestyle choices. They may also implement corporation-wide health initiatives. Overall, industrial nurses must be well organized, dependable and independent, as they often work alone as the sole source of medical care at the organization. A career as an industrial nurse provides steady, secure work as a member of the medical field.