What Credential Do You Need to Be a Surgical Nurse?
To be a surgical nurse, there are a couple of credentials that you must attain. The first is a license as a registered nurse. After that, to specialize in surgical nursing, you may attain a certification in the field. Both the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses (AMSN) offer reputable certifications in the field.
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Registered Nursing
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Registered nursing is the background credential of all specialty nursing fields, including medical-surgical nursing. To attain a registered nurse license, you must complete a nursing educational program. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this may be done through either a diploma program (generally a three-year program through a hospital), an associate degree in nursing or a nursing baccalaureate. After completing one of those programs, you must pass the National Council Licensure Examination to receive your registered nurse license.
AMSN Certification
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The AMSN offers the Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse (CMSRN) credential for those interested in attaining certification as a medical-surgical nurse. To be eligible for the CMSRN, you must have a current registered nurse (RN) license, two years of experience as a registered nurse and at least 2,000 hours of experience specifically in medical-surgical nursing. If you hold a medical-surgical certification from another respected organization, you may skip taking the CMSRN certification examination.
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AMSN Recertification
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To maintain your CMSRN credential from the AMSN, you must apply for recertification every five years. You must meet the initial eligibility requirements as well as demonstrate that you have current knowledge in the medical-surgical field. This may be done through either taking or passing the certification examination again or meet the continuing education requirements. As of July 2010, you need at least 90 approved continuing education credits, according to AMSN.
ANCC Certification
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The medical-surgical nursing certification through the ANCC is somewhat similar to the one that the AMSN offers. For this one, you also need an RN license, two years of experience and 2,000 hours of experience in medical-surgical nursing. The ANCC’s credential, however, also requires you to have at least 30 continuing education hours that you must attain prior to applying for the credential. The fee for the ANCC’s credential is $270 for members of the American Nurses Association and $390 for non-members; these prices are valid for 2008 to 2010.
ANCC Certification Examination
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The examination for the medical-surgical nursing credential through the ANCC covers 10 “domains of practice,” according to the ANCC. These domains include development, communication, basic and applied science, behavioral science, patient/family education, delivery of care, nursing process, health promotion and wellness, management and leadership, and legal and ethical issues. As of July 2010, the examination consists of 175 multiple-choice questions that cover these domains. The questions may relate to various body systems as well, such as the cardiovascular and pulmonary system.
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- Photo Credit laparoscopic surgery image by Grzegorz Kwolek from Fotolia.com
