Duties of a Surgical Nurse
Surgical nurses are an indispensable part of the surgical team. Not only must they be have the skills necessary to proficiently assist the surgeons during the procedure, they are also the patient's advocate. To perform their job properly, they must combine their clinical skills with caring, sympathy and intuition. While this is quite a task, it is also an extremely rewarding one.
Function
A surgical nurse plays many pivotal roles in the surgical process. His job begins with preoperative care of the patient, then moves on into the operating room as he assists the surgical team and finishes with the post-operative care of the patient.
Preoperative Duties
During this phase, the surgical nurse will ask the patient probing questions about his medical history; information the surgeon may need to know during the procedure. She will also prepare the patient for his procedure by answering any questions he has honestly and attempts to calm him before transporting him to the operating room.
Surgical Duties
The surgical nurse will focus her attention on the patient by monitoring his vital signs while simultaneously assisting the surgical team. This may include handing them the instruments they need, assisting with dressing the wounds and labeling and logging any specimens they might be given.
Post-Operative Duties
The surgical nurse will closely monitor the patient for signs of shock or abnormalities in his vital signs as he comes out of the anesthesia. She will also provide pain management and care for any wound dressings or surgical drains that may be present.
Considerations
To become a surgical nurse, it is necessary to obtain a 4-year bachelor's degree in an accredited RN program and pass the state exam upon graduation. There is also the option of continuing your education in surgical procedures and taking an exam to become a certified nurse for the operating room.
