We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.

Advertiser Disclosure

Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.

How We Make Money

We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently from our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.

What is an Ostomy Nurse?

Nicole Madison
By
Updated May 17, 2024
Our promise to you
WiseGeek is dedicated to creating trustworthy, high-quality content that always prioritizes transparency, integrity, and inclusivity above all else. Our ensure that our content creation and review process includes rigorous fact-checking, evidence-based, and continual updates to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

Editorial Standards

At WiseGeek, we are committed to creating content that you can trust. Our editorial process is designed to ensure that every piece of content we publish is accurate, reliable, and informative.

Our team of experienced writers and editors follows a strict set of guidelines to ensure the highest quality content. We conduct thorough research, fact-check all information, and rely on credible sources to back up our claims. Our content is reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy and clarity.

We believe in transparency and maintain editorial independence from our advertisers. Our team does not receive direct compensation from advertisers, allowing us to create unbiased content that prioritizes your interests.

An ostomy nurse is a health care professional who cares for patients who have ostomies. An ostomy is a hole that a surgeon creates to allow an internal organ to have an outlet to the outside of the body. The primary types of ostomy surgery include ileostomies, which involve connecting the small intestine to an opening in the abdomen, and colostomies, which connect the large intestine to an abdominal opening. Both allow the body to expel waste, without going through the rectum and out the anus.

An individual who works as an ostomy nurse cares for patients who have injuries, diseases, and conditions that require ostomy surgery. For example, ostomy nurses help care for patients with perforated bowels, inflammatory bowel disease, cancer, and wounds that affect the digestive tract. In some cases, they care for patients who receive temporary ostomies. After these patients heal, they may return to their surgeons to have the procedure reversed. In other cases, however, patients must adjust to permanent ostomies; an ostomy nurse helps these patients as well.

Part of an ostomy nurse’s job may be helping his patient prepare for surgery and understand what to expect before, during, and after the procedure. Working with men, women, and children who need ostomies, he may provide pre-operative instructions on care for a stoma and using an ostomy bag to help a patient begin to adjust to the idea before the procedure takes place. Besides providing medical care for the patient before surgery, this type of nurse may also provide emotional support as his patients prepare for this major change.

After surgery, an ostomy nurse typically cares for his patient’s wounds and helps to ensure that the stoma will heal properly. He carries out any instructions the surgeon has provided and shows the patient how to care for his stoma and use his ostomy supplies. For example, an ostomy nurse may show his patient how to wear an ostomy pouch and empty it, when to change it, and how to continue normal activities while wearing it. Often, an ostomy nurse also explains a doctor’s orders concerning what to eat or avoid while wearing an ostomy pouch system and when to seek medical attention. A patient may need to return to the hospital, for instance, if he develops signs of an infection, becomes very ill, or fails to see regular waste output.

WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Nicole Madison
By Nicole Madison , Writer
Nicole Madison's love for learning inspires her work as a WiseGeek writer, where she focuses on topics like homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. Her passion for knowledge is evident in the well-researched and informative articles she authors. As a mother of four, Nicole balances work with quality family time activities such as reading, camping, and beach trips.

Discussion Comments

Nicole Madison

Nicole Madison

Writer

Nicole Madison's love for learning inspires her work as a WiseGeek writer, where she focuses on topics like...
Learn more
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.