Their courage, compassion, and common sense inspire Surgical Nurses to care, serve, and help patients before, during and after surgeries as an integral part of a cohesive surgical team. Continue Reading
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Explore Career Their courage, compassion, and common sense inspire Surgical Nurses to care, serve, and help patients before, during and after surgeries as an integral part of a cohesive surgical team.
What are the typical responsibilities of a Surgical Nurse?
A Surgical Nurse would typically need to:
Surgical Nurses may work in hospital operating theatres, anaesthetic/recovery areas, and intensive care units. Wards, clinics, or specialist areas such as cardiac catheterisation units are other places one may locate them. They may also visit clients as part of a home healthcare team.
Typically part of a large team that includes surgeons, anaesthetists, operating department practitioners, theatre support workers, and porters, Surgical Nurses may also work with healthcare scientists, such as audiologists or cardiac physiologists, when fitting cochlear implants or pacemakers.
The frequent need to work odd hours and overtime to meet patient needs translates into a frequently erratic work schedule, although Surgical Nurses usually have slotted 12-hour shifts two (part-time) or three (full-time) a week. Nurses in management or administration positions are likelier to keep regular business hours.
Research suggests that flexible hours appeal more than salary to the younger generation. There has been an incremental increase in the number of employers willing to give promising employees a chance to adjust their schedules as per the demands of the job.
Surgical Nurses may opt to be employed by healthcare facilities or work with them on an independent contractor basis. They may also choose temporary locum tenens positions offered by practices, hospitals, or healthcare organisations with an unfilled clinical need. Asking their network for referrals, contacting employers directly, using job search platforms, going to job fairs, leveraging social media, and inquiring at staffing agencies will boost job prospects.
Surgical Nurses are generally employed by:
Healthcare associations, such as The International Federation of Perioperative Nurses (IFPN), provide unparalleled networking and educational opportunities. They offer all the certification courses members will need throughout their professional careers.
Affiliated Surgical Nurses may attend conventions, seminars, and dinners frequented by peers, mentors, and other industry leaders. The events help them keep up with the latest breakthroughs and developments in the field, including plum jobs.
Any academic program that a potential Surgical Nurse takes up typically requires the completion of several nursing internships, clerical rotations, and practicum experiences that prepare the student for their chosen career.
A four-year-long degree apprenticeship that combines academic study at a local educational institution and learning in the workplace (a healthcare institution) is a viable alternative to a nursing degree for those who wish to support themselves while learning.
Surgical Nurses will benefit from tasks outside the classroom that align perfectly with lessons inside it. One may hear countless stories and obtain valuable hands-on experience from more experienced professionals who can turn seemingly routine incidents into unique learning moments.
At least two years of work experience as an RN will offer valuable opportunities to work with patients, prepare for the rigours of surgical nursing, specialise in one type of surgery, and qualify for additional perioperative certifications.
Accredited perioperative certifications also mandate that applicants have no less than two years of work experience in perioperative nursing. The training may be at increasingly difficult levels, the higher levels equivalent to a master’s degree. RNs may train full-time or part-time in healthcare institutions with operating theatres that offer perioperative care.
You can look for entry-level positions in postoperative care facilities, such as skilled nursing homes, where you will work under the supervision of more experienced nurse managers.
However, most hospitals and outpatient surgery clinics prefer Surgical Nurses with several years of patient care experience in licensed vocational nursing or as certified nurse assistants.
To show their commitment to the long qualifying period, every applicant to a surgical nursing programme needs work experience as a care worker in their local hospital, doctor's surgery, nursing home, or mental health trust. It will help them understand some of the physical and emotional demands of a career in medicine.
Some teaching hospitals also offer field trips to their nursing education departments, specifically for secondary school students interested in a career as a Surgical Nurse. It can be a helpful way to gain insight.
Consider joining a nursing club or student health organisation that will allow you to network with other students and do wonders for your future resume or nursing school application.
Summer internships, part-time work at an entry-level position, or short-term paid/voluntary work offer a taste of the work, help build valuable contacts, and improve one’s prospects of getting a permanent job. It helps document such experiences on letters of recommendation submitted with nursing school applications.
The experience may also help you determine whether the public, private, or voluntary sector is best suited to realise one’s ambitions. Your educational provider’s career service department can provide information about viable opportunities for work placements, internships and voluntary work in diverse sectors.
Read about the profession, perform community service, undertake relevant research, and interview/job shadow experts working in surgical nursing to prove your commitment to course providers and prospective employers.
Surgical Nurses usually take one of three education paths - a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN), an associate degree in nursing (ADN), or a diploma from an approved nursing program.
Bachelor’s programs may take four years to complete, while the associate and diploma programs may take two to three years. Diploma programs, typically offered by hospitals or medical centres, may be relatively less common.
Aspirants with an associate degree or diploma in nursing usually go back to school to earn a BSN degree since it is the prerequisite most preferred by hospitals and care facilities.
Applicants who hold a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field would need to complete a master’s programme, an integrated bachelor’s and master’s programme, or an accelerated programme in nursing.
Students learn about anatomy, physiology, microbiology, psychology, biomedical science, social work, and liberal arts in programmes that split the learning into the academic (classroom) and clinical (practical).
Bachelor’s and master’s programmes usually include additional education in physical and social sciences, communication, leadership, and critical thinking.
Since tuition reimbursement is a viable option with some employers, do your homework before deciding on the path you wish to take. In some locations, pre-registration nursing students may receive annual funding support with no strings attached. One can also seek training grants and other support for nursing students to help cover the cost of necessary education.
Appropriate college preparatory courses to be taken in high school include math, biology, chemistry, physics, psychology, health science, and popular foreign languages. Typical health science courses include medical terminology, human anatomy, first aid, CPR, nutrition, and child development.
English and speech classes will help you develop your research, writing, and oral communication skills. Computer science classes come in handy because nurses frequently use computers to "chart" patients.
Some locations permit aspirants to take College Level Examination Programme (CLEP) exams that allow them to take credit for courses they would have to take in college, either as core or elective subjects. In addition to saving a considerable amount of money, students may be able to graduate a semester or two early.
Remember that completing a particular academic course does not guarantee entry into the profession. Be that as it may, professional qualifications and transferable skills may open up more than one door.
Perform due diligence and look into all available options for education and employment before enrolling in a specific programme. Reliable sources that help you make an educated decision include associations and employers in your field.
Development of technologies, such as virtual patient simulations, increasingly allow nursing students to earn requisite credentials via the internet - a perfect option for individuals who wish to change careers, live in rural areas, or have an otherwise busy schedule.
An essential milestone in becoming a Surgical Nurse is to qualify as an RN (Registered Nurse).
After passing approved nursing programmes, candidates would need to acquire accredited certification in CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), BLS (basic life support), or ACLS (advanced cardiac life support.
Certification demonstrates a Surgical Nurse's competence in a skill set, typically through work experience, training, and passing an examination. Successful certification programs protect public welfare by incorporating a Code of Ethics.
Acquisition of a bona fide licence to practice without supervision will need to be followed up by registration with an accredited local authority.
Individual government entities conduct the licensing process. It typically requires passing an examination after meeting eligibility requirements, such as a minimum level of education, work experience, training, or completion of an internship, residency, or apprenticeship.
Prospective Surgical Nurses may need additional certifications beyond an RN licence. Credentialing bodies dedicated to perioperative nursing can qualify licenced RNs to care for patients before, during, and after surgery.
RNs with adequate experience in a medical-surgical setting can also sit for the exam that will qualify them as medical-surgical nurses. Some licencing authorities may require the candidates to hold a recognised health practitioner’s card.
Certification from an objective and reputed organisation can help you stand out in a competitive job market, carry a significant salary premium of up to 18 per cent, and increase your chances of advancement.
Surgical Nurses may also need to undergo an employment background check including but not limited to a person’s work history, education, credit history, motor vehicle reports (MVRs), criminal record, medical history, use of social media, and drug screening.
Performance, experience, and the acquisition of professional qualifications drive the career progression of Surgical Nurses who can become Surgical Care Practitioners, Nurse Managers, Registered Nurse Supervisors, or Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS).
Of equal significance is promotion as a Head Nurse, Nurse Consultant, Nurse Anaesthetist, Operating Room Director, Patient Educator, or Nurse Educator.
The desire to accelerate career growth and personal development has an increasing number of millennials choosing to job hop and build a scattershot resume that showcases ambition, motivation, and the desire to learn a broad range of skills.
Studies prove that job hopping, earlier dismissed as “flaky” behaviour, can lead to greater job fulfilment. Employees searching for a positive culture and interesting work are willing to try out various roles and workplaces and learn valuable, transferable skills along the way.
RNs with accredited perioperative certifications and adequate work experience in perioperative nursing have the best job prospects.
Continuing professional development (CPD) is essential for public well-being and career progression in the healthcare sector. It embraces several new learning objectives, educational methodologies, and novel technological developments, especially in education, management, and IT.
Reflective learning, interaction with peer groups, comprehensive inclusion, workshops, and professional publications educate, influence, support, and foster lifelong enlightenment in all career-grade Surgical Nurses.
A master’s degree in nursing (MSN) and additional training in communications or business administration will help you further your ambition to become a Nurse Manager. In contrast, an MSN degree emphasising medical-surgical nursing can prepare you to work as a CNS.
Specialisation in the surgery stage of perioperative care will make you eligible to apply for a Surgical Care Practitioner’s position. At least five years of experience and specialisation will bring a Nurse Consultant’s position within reach.
Accredited care coordination and transition management certifications validate a Surgical Nurse’s ability to assess patients and create an optimal care plan. It lays the ground for promotional and leadership opportunities.
Keep abreast of the latest developments in healthcare research and best practices through supplementary training courses and current sector news.
Current Scenario
Nursing is most likely to grow faster than the average for career growth as medical fields continue to grow and expand and medical technology and knowledge continue to develop.
Surgical Nurses, especially those who stick with one doctor and become highly specialised in certain types of surgery, will be invaluable assets to any healthcare entity.
Cut from the Same Cloth but for a Different Purpose
A unique subspecialty within surgical nursing, scrub nursing will have most prospective Surgical Nurses rotate through it during surgical procedures. However, some hospitals have nurses devoted to this highly stressful role in the OR.
As the surgeon's right hand, Scrub Nurses must anticipate the surgical needs and have adequate knowledge of the names and specific functions of the surgical equipment.
Circulating Nurses work outside the sterile field in the operating room; they inspect surgical equipment, confirm consent forms are signed, and review pre-op assessments with the patient as part of their daily routine.
Registered Nurse First Assistants (RNFAs) assist the surgeons in controlling bleeding, suturing, watching for signs of complications during and after the surgery, and applying dressings and bandages, amongst other functions.
Immediately after the patient is out of the surgery and anaesthesia, Post-Anaesthesia Care Unit (PACU) Nurses monitor them closely as they stabilise and prepare them to be transferred to the medical-surgical or intensive care unit, as required.
OR (operating room) Directors handle the business aspect of an OR. They manage budgets, hire and fire staff, and order equipment and supplies.
Patients recovering from surgery receive critical care from Medical-Surgical Nurses who use various technical and assessment skills to ensure efficient fluid and medication administration, monitoring for signs of bleeding and infection, and wound care. They may educate patients and their caregivers on the post-op protocol.
Keep your Options open so you can Cherry-Pick
Some surgical subspecialties open toSurgical Nurses include neurosurgery, cardiac surgery, trauma, paediatrics, oncology, general surgery, urology, ophthalmology, ENT (ear/nose/throat), dental, orthopaedics, plastic and reconstructive, and transplant surgery.
Potential Pros & Cons of Freelancing vs Full-Time Employment
Freelancing Surgical Nurses have more flexible work schedules and locations. They own the business and can select their projects and clients. However, they experience inconsistent work and cash flow, which means more responsibility, effort and risk.
On the other hand, a full-time Surgical Nurse has company-sponsored health benefits, insurance, and retirement plans. They have job security with a fixed, reliable source of income and guidance from their bosses. Yet, they may experience boredom due to a lack of flexibility, ownership, and variety.
When deciding between freelancing or being a full-time employee, consider the pros and cons to see what works best.
Locum tenens (“place holder”) is an alternative to more permanent employment. Locum tenens positions are temporary (up to a year) and offered by practices, hospitals, or healthcare organisations with an unfilled clinical need.
The compensation rate is generally higher than what the permanent position would suggest. Locum tenens allows Surgical Nurses to gauge a specific type of practice or location without committing to long-term employment.
The stakes are high, the atmosphere stressful, and the duties arduous; but, Surgical Nurses who inspire trust and camaraderie among their colleagues and patients find their job offers priceless emotional and professional rewards. They can help save lives while continually learning on the go.
“Do everything and anything they ask you to do in your current job. The more willing you are to do things, the more they’ll see you can be trained in another nursing area.”
Lori Ambruster, MSN, RN
Anything in an operating theatre covered in blue is sterile; one must keep at least a 30 cm distance until authorised to handle the specific article.
What do Surgical Nurses do?
A Surgical Nurse would typically need to:
Accredited
$95,823
