What does a toxicology nurse do?
A toxicology nurse cares for patients exposed to poisons, drugs, chemicals and venoms. Many work in emergency departments or poison control centers, where they advise the public and clinicians on the phone.
Poison control centers
The national Poison Help line, 1-800-222-1222, connects callers in the United States to a regional poison center. These centers are staffed by pharmacists, nurses, physicians and other specialists who assess exposures, advise on home care or sending the patient to the hospital and follow cases. Nurses who work there often have emergency or critical care experience.
Hospital and other roles
Emergency and critical care nurses treat overdoses and poisonings, administer antidotes and monitor patients. Occupational and environmental health nurses deal with workplace chemical exposures, see occupational health nurse. Substance use treatment overlaps with addictions nursing.
Certification
America’s Poison Centers offers the certified specialist in poison information (CSPI) credential to nurses and pharmacists who work in poison information. Emergency nurses can add CEN certification, see ER nurse responsibilities.
Pay
Toxicology nurses are not a separate group in federal data. The median RN earned $97,550 in May 2025.
Pay and projections: Bureau of Labor Statistics. NCLEX figures: NCSBN. Enrollment: AACN. Sources and years are ondata sources.