Specialty Spotlight: Surgical Nurse Practitioners

Surgical Nurse Practitioner Educational Requirements:

There are several roads an NP can take to become a Surgical Nurse Practitioner. Many NP's entering the specialty are either Acute Care or Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) credentialed. The FNP credential is preferred when a surgical specialty involves treating both adult and pediatric populations due to the adult-only restrictions related to the Acute Care NP designation.

There are several surgical training options available to Nurse Practitioners in order to meet the requirements to practice in this specialty. NP's can seek credentialing as a Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA), Medical-Surgical RN (CMSRN) or pursue a Master's Degree in Surgical Nursing. When choosing a surgical training option it is important to first check with your state Nursing Board as many states have educational requirements. The most commonly required Surgical NP credential is the Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA).

Most Surgical Nurse Practitioners provide services that include:

First Assist with surgical procedures, pre-op H&P's, admission/discharge paperwork, hospital rounding, post-op follow up, wound care, pain management and patient education to name a few.

Surgical NP Subspecialties include:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• General Surgery
• Vascular/Cardiothoracic Surgery
• Plastic Surgery
• Neurosurgery
• Transplant Surgery
• ENT Surgery

Practice Locations:

The majority of Surgical Nurse Practitioners provide their services in Hospital Operating Rooms, Ambulatory Surgical Centers, VA Medical Centers, Academic Medical Centers and private surgical specialty clinics.

Additional Educational Opportunities:

Nurse Practitioners seeking further education in surgical practice may pursue a Surgical and Critical Care NP Fellowship. These Fellowships provide advanced surgical training and educational opportunities to NP's through a yearlong, paid fellowship that rotates them through a variety of clinical settings.

Compensation:

Surgical Nurse Practitioner salaries vary according to the location of practice and surgical specialty choice. The average salary for Surgical Nurse Practitioners is $189,091(1). This compensation is higher than the national average of $130,295 a year for practicing Nurse Practitioners(2).

Employment Opportunities:

To view Surgical NP job opportunities go to: PracticeMatch Surgery Jobs for Advanced Practitioners. Search by location, employment type, salary, and more.

Educational Pathway to Becoming a Surgical Nurse Practitioner:

Step 1: Obtain a Nursing Degree
Begin by enrolling in an accredited nursing program to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). This foundational step not only prepares you for initial licensure but also provides essential clinical skills.

Step 2: Licensure as a Registered Nurse
After completing your nursing degree, you must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) to practice as a Registered Nurse (RN), setting the stage for advanced specializations.

Step 3: Gain Clinical Experience
Accumulate experience in surgical settings to deepen your practical understanding of surgical procedures and patient care dynamics.

Step 4: Advanced Education in Surgical Nursing
Pursue further education through a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with a focus on surgical care. This advanced degree is crucial for deepening your surgical expertise and qualifies you to become a Surgical Nurse Practitioner.

Step 5: Certification and Specialization
Consider obtaining certification in perioperative nursing or a related field to enhance your credentials and specialize further in areas like orthopedics, neurosurgery, or pediatric surgery.

Step 6: Continuous Learning and Development
Engage in ongoing education and professional development to keep abreast of the latest in surgical techniques and technologies.