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Surgical nursing involves caring for surgical patients in pre- and postoperative care units and operating theaters. Surgical nurses check on patients before surgery, assist surgeons during surgery, and monitor recovery after surgery. Career prospects are good, and compensation is excellent. The job can be demanding, and surgical nurses must work as part of a team while advocating for their patients.
Surgical or perioperative nursing is a nursing career that focuses on the care of surgical patients. Surgical nurses may work in pre- or postoperative care units and operating theaters and are a key part of the surgical care team. Most people who go to the hospital for surgery will interact with a surgical nurse at some point. Career prospects in surgical nursing are very good, especially for nurses who have specialized in specific surgical fields such as cardiothoracic surgery, and compensation for individuals who choose to pursue a career in surgical nursing tends to be quite excellent. .
As part of preoperative care, a surgical nurse checks on a patient about to undergo surgery, confirming that they are in good health for the procedure. The nurse may also help prepare the patient by placing IV lines, cleaning the surgical site, and so on, and many surgical nurses also discuss surgeries with their patients so patients know what to expect. The surgical nurse works with the anesthetist and surgeon to clear the patient for surgery and to ensure that all members of the surgical team have the information they need for successful surgery.
During surgery, surgical nurses assist the surgeon with surgical procedures and meet the needs of the operating room team. A special type of surgical nurse known as a circulating nurse monitors patient safety, checking surgical team members to make sure they are sterile, and monitoring the use of surgical instruments, sponges, and other materials, making sure nothing remains inside the patient . Nurses who participate in operating room work are highly skilled and, while they may not actually perform the surgery, they are vital to patient care in the operating room.
Surgical nursing care also includes post-operative care. After a patient is taken out of surgery, a surgical nurse monitors their recovery, checking the dressings, drains, and devices implanted during surgery. The surgical nurse makes sure the patient is eating and drinking properly and checks vital signs frequently while monitoring for infections and other complications.
Work in the field of surgical nursing can be very demanding. Most surgical nurses are assigned a very small number of patients, typically fewer than six, to ensure they can focus on the patient’s needs. For complex surgeries and high-risk patients, there may be a 1:1 nurse to patient ratio, and sometimes multiple surgical nurses are involved in patient care. A surgical nurse must be able to work as part of a team while acting as an advocate for her patient and her family.
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