2024 Career Planning Guide
NURSING SPECIALITIES KEY : n Minimum Education required n Certifications required n Experience needed n Certification credential n Possible employment n Professional Organization n References / Resources
Perioperative ( Surgical ) Nurse
Provide surgery care by assessing patients before , monitor patients during and providing recovery care after surgical procedures . Work in teams with surgeons anesthesiologists .
n BSN n Certified Nurse Operating Room ( CNOR ) certification exam n Recommended experience in critical care and ER and continuing education in related fields n CNOR n Hospitals , physicians ’ offices , ambulatory surgical units n Association of periOperative Registered Nurses ( www . aorn . org )
Perianesthesia Nurse
Perianesthesia nurses , sometimes called recovery room nurses , care for patients during all phases of pre-anesthesia and post-anesthesia , ambulatory surgery , and pain management . These nurses are prepared to address the needs of patients who calmly recover from anesthesia , as well as those with adverse reactions .
n RN ( BSN preferred ) n Certified Post Anesthesia Nurse and / or Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse examinations
n Minimum of 1,800 hours of direct perianesthesia clinical experience as an RN during the 2 years prior to application n CPAN , CAPA
n Hospitals , ambulatory care , out-patient surgery centers , medical / physician offices , military service , correctional facilities n American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses ( www . aspan . org )
Plastic Surgery Nurse
Care for cosmetic surgery patients by prepping for procedures , assisting surgeon during procedures , and providing recovery care in addition to educating patient on procedure and recovery .
n RN , ASN / ADN , or BSN n Plastic Surgery Nursing Certification board exam n 2 years in surgical nursing , half of which in plastic surgery n CPSN n Hospitals , physicians ’ offices n International Society of Plastic and Aesthetic Nurses ( www . ispan . org )
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