Surgical care is evolving rapidly as new technologies emerge to make practices more streamlined and effective. This evolution has a direct impact on the role of nursing staff in the operating rooms, since they are required to take up more responsibilities of a more advanced nature. As a result, a new branch of nursing called perioperative nursing is now being developed to describe this specialized group of professionals.
Perioperative Nurse
Perioperative nursing is a field that deals with providing healthcare and treatment to individuals who are about to undergo surgery or other invasive procedures. It covers the entire duration of the patient's stay in the hospital, before, during and after the procedure itself. While they hold the same rank as a registered nurse in a hospital, they are slightly more advanced in terms of their skill set. They are able to conduct stress test evaluations and monitor cardiac and vascular activity in addition to carrying out health assessments before and after a surgical procedure.
Within perioperative nursing, an individual can work in one of three broad capacities: a circulator, a scrub nurse and as a registered nurse first assistant (RNFA). Each of these capacities entails a different set of responsibilities. As a circulator, the nurse is responsible for monitoring the environment of the operating room during the surgery. This includes ensuring that the surgical team has the entire necessary equipment ready, guarantees that all equipment is sterilized and there is no contamination within the operating room.
As a scrub nurse, your presence is required in the operating room, where you will be working closely with the surgeon to ensure a sterile field around the patient. You are also responsible for passing each instrument as required to the surgeon and ensuring that the equipment within the room is functional.
The Registered Nurse First Assistant is the position which encompasses the greatest amount of responsibility within perioperative nursing. Not only are you responsible for ensuring that the surgeon carries out a safe operation, you are also involved in reviewing the patient's health records, assisting the OR staff in preparing the room with all the necessary equipment, and preparation of the patient for the procedure as well. During surgery, you will help the surgeon in cauterizing and closure of tissue layers, and applying dressings or splints after the surgery has been completed. Due to the added responsibilities associated with the position, you may have to take additional training courses after completing your education as a Registered Nurse.
As a perioperative nurse, you have the ability to work in both private and public healthcare facilities, as well as in clinics and physician's offices. In order to enter the career path, you will first have to complete training to become a registered nurse. This can be done by enrolling in a formal Bachelors of Nursing (BSN) program, after which you will be required to take a national licensing examination specific to registered nurses. Many institutions offer these training programs online, as a means of facilitating access to the learning material.
How Long Does It Take to Complete a Perioperative Nursing Certification?
The Perioperative Nursing Certification is designed for Registered Nurses (RNs) to specialize in Pre/Post-operative Patient Care. It is offered as a 6-12 month certification by many schools in the U.S. such as UMASS Medical School, Curry College and Regis College. The students enrolled in this certification are also given one-year standard membership of Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses (AORN). This membership allows students to avail other learning resources and member benefits while studying or working.
What Are the Requirements to Complete a Perioperative Nursing Certification?
The Perioperative Nursing Certification is offered as a hybrid certification which requires students to participate in online classes as well as some on-campus lab work and activities. However, the requirements for completing this certification may vary from one university to another. For instance, the students of Regis College are required to complete 42 hours of classroom and online modules, 10 hours of lab work and 240 hours of mentored clinical experience. Other universities may have different requirements.
How Much Can I Make after Completing a Perioperative Nursing Certification?
After completing the Perioperative Nursing Certification, graduates must pass the certification exam to obtain a license. This exam is conducted by the Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses (AORN). Licensed graduates often choose to work as Registered Nurses (RNs) in public and private hospitals or clinics. In 2018, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the annual median salary of $71,730 for Registered Nurses.
Frequently Asked Question(s)
Q:Tell me about perioperative nursing course?
A:Perioperative nursing deals with healthcare of patients before, during and after surgical procedures. The course therefore focuses on identifying the needs of patients before and after the operation. It may include responsibilities such as taking care of medical equipment for any procedure in the operation room. You need to have training on how to assist doctors and physicians in an operation room setting.
Q:What the education prerequisites for perioperative nursing certification?
A:To opt for perioperative nursing certification first you need to be a RN (Registered Nurse). Schools offering perioperative nursing certification would require you to have passed NCLEX-RN exam. All schools have different admission criterions, while some may accept those with associate degree or a diploma other require a BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) to make you eligible.
Q:what are the main kinds of perioperative nursing jobs?
A:Within perioperative nursing, an individual can work in one of three broad capacities: a circulator, a scrub nurse and as a registered nurse first assistant (RNFA). Each of these capacities entails a different set of responsibilities. For example, as a circulator, the nurse is responsible for monitoring the environment of the operating room during the surgery. This includes ensuring that the surgical team has the entire necessary equipment ready, guarantees that all equipment is sterilized and there is no contamination within the operating room.
Q:Is perioperative nurse a specialty?
A:Yes, perioperative nursing is a popular nursing specialty. These nurses treat patients who have undergone invasive procedures and operation. The main job duties of a perioperative nurse include: providing post, pre, and intraoperative care; monitoring vital signs, assessing health of patients, and cardiac monitoring. Browse through our page for more detail.
Q:What is perioperative nursing all about?
A:Perioperative nursing is a field that focuses upon the care of patients who have undergone surgical procedures. These nurses are hired by the surgical units of hospitals and clinics, and are required to work alongside surgeons. A perioperative nurse will makes sure a patient's condition is stable before and after surgery.
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