Nurse Insights: What Are the Career Paths in Surgical Nursing?
Surgical nursing is a challenging and rewarding career path that requires specific education, certification, and practical training. In this article, we will explore the steps needed to become a surgical nurse, the typical roles and responsibilities involved, and the different areas of surgical nursing specializations available.
Nurse Insights
What Are the Career Paths in Surgical Nursing?
In our Nurse Insights series, experienced nurses offer an insider’s perspective on the nursing profession by addressing common questions, challenges, and triumphs of their careers.
Education and Training Requirements for Surgical Nursing
To become a surgical nurse, also known as an operating room (OR) nurse, you will need to follow specific educational, certification, and practical training steps.
Degree
Start by pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree at an accredited college or university. A BSN typically takes four years to complete. You will study topics like anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and nursing principles. While an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) might be an option for becoming a registered nurse (RN), many employers prefer BSN-trained nurses, especially for specialized roles like surgical nursing.
If you’re a second-degree student, you can consider an accelerated BSN (ABSN) program. These programs are designed for those who already have a degree in a non-nursing field and can be completed in 11 to 18 months.
Certification
After receiving your nursing degree, you must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) to become an RN. You may then opt for a certification in surgical nursing to validate your specific knowledge and skills. This certification is granted by the Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification Board (MSNCB) or the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) upon passing a specialty exam. However, there is generally a requirement of at least two years of registered nursing experience and a specific number of clinical hours worked before you can sit for the exam.
Practical Training
In addition to the degrees and certifications, hands-on clinical experience in surgical settings is crucial for surgical nurses. Practical training can be gained through your BSN program’s clinical rotations or internships. After you become a registered nurse, you can further enhance your practical skills by working in surgical departments or clinics to gain experience.
Remember, the more experience you gain, the more capable you’ll be at handling complex surgical procedures and providing high-quality patient care.
Roles and Responsibilities of a Surgical Nurse
As you work towards becoming a surgical nurse, you will have a lot of responsibilities that cover everything related to surgery. You’ll be in charge of various tasks before, during, and after surgical procedures.
Preoperative Duties
Before surgery, you’ll have the task of preparing the operating room. This involves sterilizing the surgical equipment, setting up the necessary tools, and ensuring that everything is in place for the procedure. You’ll also arrange surgical instruments on the table in the order of use to streamline the surgery workflow.
Further, you’ll take charge of admitting and prepping the patient. This could involve documentation, medical record verification, and answering any queries the patient may have. You’ll inform the patient about the procedure to alleviate any apprehension. It’s your responsibility to gather all relevant information needed for successful anesthesia induction, such as diet, medication, allergies, and any health conditions.
Intraoperative Duties
During the operation, you’ll assist in the procedure itself, potentially in the capacity of a scrub nurse, circulating nurse, or RN first assistant (RNFA).
As a scrub nurse, you’ll hand off sterile instruments and supplies to the surgeon during the operation. On the other hand, as a circulating nurse, you’ll manage the overall nursing care in the operation suite and help maintain a safe and comfortable environment. As an RNFA, you’ll perform more hands-on duties such as suturing and wound management.
Postoperative Duties
Once the surgery has been performed, your responsibilities shift to the recovery and monitoring of the patient. You’ll take care of wound dressings, monitor vital signs, administer medication, and ensure pain management. Moreover, assessing the patient’s recovery and providing specific home-care instructions falls directly within your duties.
Understanding and demonstrating these roles and responsibilities is crucial for any nurse aspiring to work in the field of surgical nursing. The nature of surgical nursing requires high levels of competency, dexterity, and precision.
Types of Surgical Nursing Specializations
There are several different areas of surgical nursing that you could choose to specialize in, each with its own unique aspects and challenges.
Orthopedic Surgical Nursing
Orthopedic surgical nurses work with patients who are undergoing surgery related to the musculoskeletal system. This could include surgeries for broken bones, joint replacements, or spinal surgeries. You’d be responsible for preoperative care, assisting during the operation, and overseeing postoperative recovery.
Orthopedic surgical nursing requires a comprehensive understanding of the human musculoskeletal system and a skill set that includes wound care and pain management.
Cardiac Surgical Nursing
As a cardiac surgical nurse, you would work with patients who are undergoing heart-related surgeries, such as bypass surgeries, angioplasties, or heart transplants. Your duties would be similar to those of an orthopedic surgical nurse but with a focus on the cardiovascular system.
Cardiac surgical nursing requires a strong knowledge of the human cardiovascular system and related diseases. These nurses often work in fast-paced, high-stress environments where attention to detail and quick decisions are necessary.
Neurosurgical Nursing
Neurosurgical nurses work with patients who require surgery on their brain or spinal cord. These could range from tumor removal to treatment for neurological conditions like Parkinson’s or multiple sclerosis.
Neurosurgeries can often be complex and lengthy, requiring the nurse to have specialized knowledge of the human nervous system. In this role, managing patients’ comfort before, during, and after surgery can pose unique challenges, given the sensitive nature of the nervous system.
Each of these specializations requires its own additional training and certifications beyond the basic nursing education and licensure. As a surgical nurse, you could choose to specialize further, become a scrub nurse, or move into a first assistant role. You could also branch out into nurse anesthesia or pursue a career in nursing education or administration.
Career Progression in Surgical Nursing
After obtaining the necessary certification and some experience as a general surgical nurse, you can choose to take various paths to advance your career, all of which require further education and responsibilities.
Becoming a Clinical Nurse Specialist
One potential route is to become a clinical nurse specialist (CNS). Not only do CNSs perform hands-on work, but they also play a vital role in healthcare improvements and cost-cutting measures. To become a CNS, you will need to complete a graduate-level nursing program and pass an exam to earn a national certification. You will also need to accumulate several hundred hours of clinical practice post-degree.
Exploring a Role as a Nurse Anesthetist
If you’re interested in the surgical environment, a career as a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) could be appealing. Nurse anesthetists administer anesthesia, monitor patient’s vital signs, and oversee patient recovery following anesthesia administration.
Becoming a CRNA requires further education— usually a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree from an accredited nurse anesthesia program and passing the national certification exam.
Transitioning to Nurse Practitioner
Finally, becoming a nurse practitioner (NP) can allow you to take on additional responsibilities, including conducting physical exams, diagnosing and treating common acute illnesses and injuries, managing chronic problems like diabetes or high blood pressure, and providing preventative care. This will require you to earn an MSN or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree, followed by obtaining national certification.
Each of these paths offers its own rewards and challenges, but they all require a commitment to additional education and training. It’s important to consider your own long-term career goals and personal interests when choosing which path to follow.
Challenges and Rewards of a Career in Surgical Nursing
Choosing a career in surgical nursing brings its own unique set of challenges and rewards. Comfort with fast-paced work environments and the ability to handle stressful situations is crucial. The operating room is a high-stress environment, and you will need stamina not only for the physical demands but also for the emotional toll that critical patient situations may cause. Working for long hours, often standing, and assisting in complex medical procedures, as well as the need to swiftly handle high-stress scenarios, are all part of the job.
Coping With Physical Demands
Surgical nursing can be physically demanding. You may face long shifts, potentially 12 hours or more, which can leave you feeling physically exhausted. Your responsibilities may include heavy lifting, such as turning or moving patients, and precise manual dexterity is often needed for handling surgical tools. It’s crucial for you to maintain good physical health. Practicing regular exercise and having a balanced diet can help to manage the physical strain.
Mental Resilience
The mental demands of surgical nursing can be challenging. The pressure in an operating room can be intense and requires a high level of concentration and precision. Decisions that impact patients’ lives are made in a matter of seconds. You may also have to cope with difficult circumstances, such as unsuccessful surgeries or complicated patient situations. Strong mental health strategies and support networks are essential to deal with these pressures and maintain mental well-being.
Despite these challenges, the rewards of a career in surgical nursing can be immensely fulfilling. Assisting in life-saving surgeries and contributing to patient recovery brings with it a high level of job satisfaction. You are in a position to make a significant difference in patient outcomes and their overall healthcare journey.
Making a successful surgery possible and witnessing patients’ progress can give you a sense of accomplishment that few other professions provide. Being a surgical nurse also offers continuous learning opportunities. Each surgery is different, and working with different surgeons and anesthetic teams may allow you to constantly expand your skill set and knowledge.
Your ability to overcome the significant challenges that come with the role may also result in a high sense of professional growth and personal satisfaction, making surgical nursing a rewarding and satisfying career choice.
Continuing Education and Professional Development
In the fast-paced and ever-evolving field of surgical nursing, continuing education is an essential aspect of maintaining competency and enhancing your knowledge base. The surgical environment constantly sees advancements in technologies, techniques, and patient care protocols. To provide the highest level of care, you need to stay informed about these developments.
The Role of Continuing Education
Any changes in surgical procedures, equipment, patient management strategies, and safety measures are usually addressed through continuing education programs. These programs provide comprehensive training on current best practices, updates on new findings from the latest research, and introduce new technology being used in the surgical setting. By participating in these opportunities, you’re not only broadening your understanding but also elevating your performance, thus ensuring you continue delivering safe and effective care to your patients.
Importance of Professional Development
Parallel to continuing education is the concept of professional development. As a surgical nurse, you’re required to exhibit high levels of expertise, critical thinking, and decision-making skills. Professional development programs, through various career-enhancement initiatives, aid in improving these skills, thereby boosting your capabilities in conducting preoperative assessments, intraoperative procedures, and postoperative care more efficiently.
Necessity of Certifications
One vital aspect of professional development is attaining certifications specific to your practice. A certification like the Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR) is a clear testament to your dedication and commitment to your profession and patient care. It differentiates you as a nurse who possesses the advanced skills required in the complex surgical nursing field.
Often, maintaining these professional certifications requires you to accrue a certain number of continuing education hours, further underscoring the interconnectedness of education and development.
As a surgical nurse, your patients rely on you to protect and advocate for them during their operation. By prioritizing your ongoing education and professional growth, you can earn their trust, improve patient outcomes, and demonstrate your dedication to your profession.
