Surgical nursing

Each phase is related to specific activities carried out and skills needed for different stages of nursing.

[2] A surgical nurse will help prepare the patient using various methods often including family members depending on the situation.

[2] The patient will normally express any concerns about the surgery to the nurse; this information will be passed on to other hospital staff including the surgeon.

Many checks are undertaken at this stage to ensure a safe environment for the patient and the theatre staff.

These nurses, often in day surgery cases, attend to provide patients and their caregivers with support and instructions and requirements needed for home care.

[1] The first twenty-four hours post surgery are critical, and many procedures are required to monitor the patient.

[3] Further post-operative tasks for a surgical nurse include: urine output, assessment of wound sites, replacing intravenous requirements and reporting any abnormalities.

The undergraduate degree has a full-time study duration of three years at the University of Notre Dame.

[8] A circulation nurse has many similar responsibilities; they should ensure that the operating room is clear and uncontaminated by previous surgeries or other infections.

Nurses are also required to possess good communication skills and maintain a professional relationship with their patient.

It is important for the nurse to build a trusting relationship with their patient but this can prove difficult within the short time available.

Positive effects of preoperative teaching include a reduction in patients’ anxiety levels, healing time, complications post- surgery, pain relief usage and an increase in satisfied and co-operative patient's in regard to their procedure and treatment.

Preoperative teaching is essential to a patient's understanding of the surgical procedure and to help them prepare for postoperative healing.

Patients may also have an appointment scheduled with the perioperative nurse to talk over any concerns regarding the procedure.

The salary for a surgical nurse in Australia can range from $47,721 to $80,160 with an average of $57,103 this data was recorded in March 2016.

[14] The role of professional associations is to protect, increase and promote common interests of their members.