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What Does a Surgical Nurse Do?

Surgical nursing is also called medical-surgical nursing, or simply medi-surg. Surgical nurses provide care for patients in numerous settings, including hospitals, long-term care facilities, acute care units, and even in homes. Called perioperative care, a surgical nurse tends to a person before, during, and after surgery. Not only will you provide physical care--accessing vitals, administering medicine, assisting a surgeon and watching for post-operative complications--you will help your patients prepare emotionally for operations.

Education & Training Required to Become a Surgical Nurse

The first step to becoming a surgical nurse is getting your registered nursing (RN) license. Whether you choose an online degree program or a brick-and-mortar school, complete either a bachelor of science (BSN) or an associate's degree in nursing (ADN) and pass the national licensing test, the NCLEX-RN examination.

To specialize in surgical nursing, you can seek additional certification after working at least two years. The two surgical nursing certifications are the Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse (CMSRN) and the Registered Nurse-Board Certified (RN-BC).

Typical Characteristics of a Surgical Nurse

Surgical nurses step up to a variety of challenges everyday and are accustomed to a varied clientele. Communication is vital for building patient relationships. Other key surgical nurse characteristics include a resilient yet caring nature, an ability to pay attention to details, time-management and organizational skills, and a willingness to learn numerous nursing procedures.

High Demand for Surgical Nurses

Job opportunities for registered nurses are expected to grow by 22 percent between 2008 and 2018, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Hospitals still employ most nurses--about 60 percent--but as technology advances, more and more surgical procedures can be completed in doctor's offices or outpatient surgical centers, so employment opportunities for nurses should grow in those settings as well.