A surgical nurse practitioner NP is an advanced practice nurse, meaning they have received additional training and education at least a master's degree. Surgical NPs work in all areas of the OR: performing pre-surgical assessments, counseling patients, administering medications, assisting patients with recovery, and even working alongside the surgeon in the actual operating room. A certified registered nurse anesthetist CRNA is a highly specialized nurse who has completed additional training in the administration of anesthesia.
These advanced practice nurses also have at least a master's degree so that they can administer anesthesia and ensure a safe recovery afterwards. No matter which area is calling out to you, you will start by earning your license to practice as a registered nurse.
In addition, there are lots of educational programs offered by AORN that will help you gain the training and experience you need to get the position you want.
If you are thinking about the surgical nurse practitioner or nurse anesthetist roles, plan for a few more years of school in order to get a master's degree after you have a few years of experience in surgical or critical care units. Galan has also worked for over 13 years as a freelance writer specializing in consumer health sites and educational materials for nursing students.
She currently works as a full-time freelancer and recently earned her master's degree in nursing education from Capella University. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
Share this. Following the operation, the job involves clearing away the tools and preparing the patient for transport to the recovery room. The circulating nurse has a different role, as they work outside the sterile field and do not participate in the surgery. Your duties in this position are set at a broader perspective, which focuses on maintaining a safe and comfortable environment. These tasks include inspecting surgical equipment, verifying the patient's identity and seeing that the family has signed the necessary consent forms.
Other duties involve assisting the anesthesiologist with a patient and conferring with the surgeon about special concerns that could affect the patient's care. With further education and training, a surgical nurse may assume the role of RN first assistant. Your duties in this job will include watching for complications and monitoring the patient's vital signs—blood pressure, heart rate and respiration.
Should trouble arise, you will immediately alert the doctor. Often times, perioperative nurses are working with new patients every day and typically do not form long-term relationships with their patients. The work environment can be stressful due to the nature of the position, but many nurses find it a rewarding role.
Successful perioperative nurses are excellent problem-solvers with the desire to care for people. Many nursing degree programs require a strong background in science along with taking the certified nursing assistant course. Prior experience in the health care field can often help set a nursing student or a recent graduate apart from their classmates.
The typical pathway to becoming a perioperative nurse is different for everyone, but most include the following:. Job opportunities for registered nurses are excellent. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects employment of R. What Does a Surgical Nurse Do? Surgical Nursing Subspecialties. Providing surgical nursing care to patients Assisting the anesthesiologist with patient monitoring Monitoring and recording surgical events Assisting the surgeon in locating necessary anatomy during surgery Helping with patient care and education after surgery including wound care Assisting direct nursing care staff with patient care plans Ensuring that all patients have adequate access to post-operative pain medication.
Where Do Surgical Nurses Work? The most common settings for surgical nurses are:. Hospitals medical-surgical care units, recovery rooms, operating rooms Ambulatory surgery centers Physicians Offices Urgent Care Centers Clinics. Number of Jobs and Projected Growth. Approximately 3,, jobs were held by registered nurses in , according to estimates provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Demand for skilled workers within the healthcare services industry is expected to grow steadily for the next 10 years, with projected employment growth for registered nurses rising to seven percent faster than average for all occupations through the year Over the next ten years, this rate of growth amounts to over , job openings for registered nurses.
Helpful Organizations for Surgical Nurses. Surgical Nurse FAQ. Can an RN be a surgical nurse?
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