A registered nurse who has successfully completed auxiliary training and education in surgical procedures is known as a medical-surgical nurse. In hospital operating rooms, he usually assists surgeons and other nurses. A small, private medical facility or a large, full-service hospital could be his workplace.
A medical-surgical nurse typically performs preoperative functions in addition to assisting in a variety of surgeries and procedures. Prior to the procedure, he may take down the patient’s medical history and discuss the patient’s medical test results with the surgeon. The medical-surgical nurse may be assigned to perform special physical preparations or administer medications. This nurse’s job has traditionally included checking a patient’s vital signs.
A medical-surgical nurse’s responsibilities in the operating room can vary. He may continue to monitor the patient’s vital signs, label specimens collected during the procedure, dress and pressurize wounds and organs, or pass instruments and tools to the surgeon as needed. These tasks may be carried out by a single nurse or by a group of nurses and doctors.
After the surgery, a medical-surgical nurse’s job usually continues in the patient’s ward or room as the recovery process begins. Before and after the patient regains consciousness, he usually checks vital signs. When a patient is awake and alert, the nurse usually comforts them and administers therapeutic medications. He usually changes the dressings and informs the attending physician of any abnormalities discovered during the healing process.
To be a successful medical-surgical nurse, you’ll need exceptional surgical assistance skills as well as the ability to make split-second decisions in high-pressure situations where lives are on the line. Keeping the operating room organized ensures that procedures run smoothly and that medical communications are not disrupted. This position necessitates the ability to communicate clearly with patients and their families.
Long hours and multiple back-to-back shifts are common in this position. To meet the job’s physical and mental demands, you’ll need a lot of stamina and good overall health. To stay up to date on new surgical procedures, continuing education is required.
A person must first be a registered nurse before becoming a medical-surgical nurse. A bachelor’s degree in nursing is usually required of a registered nurse. In addition to a college degree, many regions and vicinities require a registered nurse to have a license. Additional training and certification are frequently required for a medical-surgical nurse.