Surgery Nurse Job Description
Surgery nurses, also known as surgical nurses, help patients physically and emotionally before, during and after surgery, referred to as perioperative care. Surgical nurses also assist surgeons during surgical procedures. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nurses will be high demand between 2008 and 2018 decade due to advances in medical technology and an aging Baby Boomer population.
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Function
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A large part of a surgery nurse's job is educating patients about their surgery, and what side effects and recovery process they can expect after the procedure. In addition to prepping the patient prior to surgery, surgical nurses must prepare the operating room and make sure it is stocked with the proper surgical tools, equipment and supplies. During surgery, these nurses check the patient's vital signs, pass instruments to surgeons and assist with various procedures. Surgery nurses also monitor patients' recovery after surgery, allocate medication and change bandages.
Education
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Surgery nurses must attend a state-approved nursing program and obtain their certification as a registered nurse. Nursing students graduate with either a Bachelor of Science degree or an associate degree, depending on state requirements. Courses that help students prepare for a nursing career are nutrition, chemistry, psychology, anatomy and nursing theory. Although the test is not required to become a surgery nurse, nursing professionals can take an examination to become a Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse (see the Resources section for a link).
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Skills
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Hospitals look to hire professionals who are friendly, caring, sympathetic and responsible. Surgical nurses must be detail oriented and able to analyze certain ailments and conditions in patients. Excellent supervisory and decision-making skills are also needed to delegate work to hospital staff and successfully execute multiple tasks in stressful conditions.
Salary
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The average median salary for registered nurses in May 2008 was $62,450 according to the BLS. Registered nurses in the lowest 10th percentile earned $43,410 and nurses in the highest 10th percentile earned $92,240. A November 2009 Salary.com report states that the average salary for a staff nurse/surgical first assistant is $74,750.
Potential
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The BLS predicts that the nursing profession will grow by 22 percent between 2008 and 2018. However, jobs for registered nurses who work in hospitals will only grow by 17 percent due to the slow growth of inpatient care. Employment for nurses will also increase in facilities that provide specialized long-term rehabilitation services and residential care.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit hospital surgery operating room image by alma_sacra from Fotolia.com
