ET nurses: shared goals, different backgrounds.

The doctorally prepared ET nurse may assume many roles. The goals of these roles are to enhance nursing knowledge, advance patient care, and promote enterostomal therapy in the nursing profession. These are no different than the goal of the ET nurse who is not doctorally prepared. Only the tools one uses to accomplish these goals and, therefore, the route taken may differ. While the doctorally prepared ET nurse has a common background with all ET nurses, he/she has unique skills to share in regards to curriculum and research. By understanding the role, and educational background of an ET nurse, the opportunities to work together to enhance ET nursing are endless.