TTN nurses must first study and receive either a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing from a four year college or a two year Associate’s Degree in Nursing. Once they have a proper degree, a potential phone triage nurse needs to pass the Nursing Council Licensure Examination. Only after that can they contact the appropriate state licensing agency to become a registered nurse. TTNs are advised to receive a certification as an ambulatory care nurse offered by the American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing. To receive this certification requires a minimum of 2,000 hours experience as a nurse in a clinical environment.
A study by the American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing determined the percentage of calls to a TTN that required a physician’s advice was about 30% of all calls.