Nursing and Health Care

Perioperative Nursing

Surgical nurses, often called medical-surgical nurses, are specially trained to provide nursing care for patients before, during and after surgery. They are valued members of a medical facility's surgical team who assist surgeons, anesthesiologists, and other health care professionals during surgical procedures. Surgical nurses must have a broad range of skills, as they work with patients with various acute conditions and chronic illnesses. Surgical nursing is the oldest nursing specialty, and medical-surgical nurses make up the lion's share of all nurses in the U.S. Before surgery, a surgical nurse explains to the patient how the procedure will go, answering any questions they have and informing them of any risks. After surgery, they manage a patient's post-operative care, which includes pain relief and positioning of the patient, as well as close monitoring for signs of complications. They take medical histories and clear patients for surgery. During surgery, they sterilize the surgical area, pass instruments to the physician, monitor vital signs, and perform certain medical tasks at the surgery site.