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What Do Neurosurgical Nurses Do?

Neurosurgical nurses care for patients who, most often, have brain or spinal injuries that could result in severe disability or death. Generally a neursurgical nurse works in either emergency acute care or in intermediate care. Neurosurgical nurses may also find work in rehabilitation centers, day centers, and home health care.

Many patients who require neurosurgery have had a head trauma. Others have been treated by a neurosurgeon to manage medical conditions, either on an elective or an emergency basis.

Education & Training Required to Become a Neurosurgical Nurse

Nurses with basic LPN and RN training may end up working on a neurosurgical ward, but there is a big push to have staff participate in specialized neurosurgical nursing programs. Research shows trained neurosurgical nurses provide safer care to their patients.

There are both traditional university degree programs that provide courses and continuing education courses on neurosurgical nursing. The American Association of Neurological Nurses confers certification, after you pass a certification exam. If you know you want to work in neurosurgical nursing, taking neurosurgical electives during your studies is recommended.

Typical Characteristics of a Neurosurgical Nurse

Neurosurgical nurses have to be ready for anything and everything. A seemingly minor head injury could quickly become fatal. Neurosurgical nursing also requires a lot of patience as your patients recover. If your patient has been in an accident, such as a long fall or car accident, there will likely be multiple injuries beside those to the head. You need to be able to care for all aspects of the patient and the resulting trauma.

High Demand for Neurosurgical Nurses

Our population is aging. Many brain injuries that require neurosurgical nursing care, such as strokes and falls, occur to older people. So, not only will more nurses be needed overall, but nurses with neurosurgical training and certification should be in demand. Neurosurgery nurses have the opportunity to work with many younger patients, as well, due to recent advances in health care that save the lives of many younger people whose cases were once considered hopeless.