A plastic surgery nurse is a health-care professional who provides care to patients before, during, and after cosmetic and reconstructive surgeries. He or she is in charge of setting up operating rooms and assisting surgeons during procedures. A nurse can also provide consultation services to help people decide whether or not surgery is right for them. The majority of plastic surgery nurses work in specialized inpatient and outpatient surgical centers, though some work in general hospitals, occupational therapy clinics, and private doctor’s offices.
People have plastic surgery for a variety of reasons, and a plastic surgery nurse is likely to encounter a wide range of conditions and patient types. Elective procedures such as face lifts and breast augmentations, as well as reconstructive surgeries to correct congenital and acquired deformities, are all attended by nurses. A nurse explains the procedure and provides information about what to expect before a patient undergoes surgery. He or she prepares the operating room, assists the patient in getting into position, and sterilizes the body’s target area.
To ensure that a patient is properly cared for during a procedure, a nurse must understand anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, and common surgical techniques. He or she collaborates with the surgeon to ensure the patient’s safety. In a recovery room, the nurse cleans and dresses scars, assists the patient in dressing, and monitors his or her condition.
A plastic surgery nurse’s job includes educating patients and their families. Following a successful procedure, the nurse instructs the patient on how to change bandages, ice swollen body parts, and take medications at home. He or she reminds patients to come back for follow-up appointments to ensure that the procedures went well. A plastic surgery nurse may also be in charge of assisting patients in understanding their medical bills and arranging payment options.
To work as a plastic surgery nurse, you’ll need an associate’s or bachelor’s degree and the ability to pass a registered nurse exam. To gain practical experience, most specialists begin their careers in other health-care settings, such as emergency rooms and general hospitals. Nurses with operating room experience and voluntary credentials from respected reconstructive surgery certification boards are preferred by some plastic surgeons.
A plastic surgery nurse can advance their career by gaining experience and continuing education. Some professionals advance to supervisory positions in inpatient and outpatient clinics, where they supervise other nurses and staff members. Many nurses pursue master’s degrees to become nurse practitioners, which gives them more responsibilities and research opportunities. Others study medicine part-time or full-time in order to start their careers as surgeons.