[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Surgical nurses prepare patients for surgeries, assist surgeons and anesthetists during surgeries, and provide patient care before, during, and after procedures. This guide explains the necessary education and licensing, typical salary ranges, and different career paths for surgical nurses.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Keep reading to find out if this career is right for you.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]What Does a Surgical Nurse Do?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”mt-4″]Surgical nurses are key to successful surgical outcomes. They prepare patients physically and emotionally, assist anesthesiologists and surgeons, and provide care and education for the patient after surgery.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”mt-4″]To be a surgical nurse, you must communicate clearly with and reassure patients and their families, be an excellent team player, and be able to respond immediately should a patient’s condition change during surgery.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-grid columns-md=”3″ gap=”md”] [/hen-ui-grid][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Where Do Surgical Nurses Work?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Surgical nurses primarily work in hospitals and health systems, but they also work in independent practices, especially in plastic surgery offices, and in disaster relief and military settings.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-grid columns-md=”3″ gap=”md”] [hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ class=”text-primary-700 text-xl” align=”center”]Hospitals[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]In hospitals, surgical nurses may work as part of the staff for the operating rooms.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ class=”text-primary-700 text-xl” align=”center”]Recovery Rooms[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]In a recovery room, surgical nurses communicate with patients and their families about the procedure’s outcomes or findings, monitor the patient, and determine if the patient meets discharge criteria.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ class=”text-primary-700 text-xl” align=”center”]Surgery Centers[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]In standalone surgery centers, surgical nurses are often responsible for follow-up phone calls to patients discharged to their home rather than to a hospital bed.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][/hen-ui-grid][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ style=”margin-top:2em”]How to Become a Surgical Nurse?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]You need a nursing license to [hen-ui-link href=”/careers/surgical-nurse/how-to-become/”]become a surgical nurse[/hen-ui-link]. You can earn either a two-year [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/adn/”]associate degree in nursing[/hen-ui-link] (ADN) or a four-year [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/bsn/”]bachelor of science in nursing[/hen-ui-link] (BSN). Because the BSN curriculum is more advanced, many employers prefer to hire BSN-holders as surgical nurses.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Once you graduate, you must pass the [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//nclex/things-to-know-about-the-nclex-exam/”]National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses[/hen-ui-link] (NCLEX-RN) and earn a state license. The [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.cc-institute.org/or-nurse-certifications/” target=”_blank”]Competency & Credentialing Institute[/hen-ui-link] (CCI) offers the certified foundational perioperative nurse (CFPN), certified perioperative nurse (CNOR), and certified ambulatory surgery nurse (CNAMB) certifications.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.msncb.org/medical-surgical” target=”_blank”]Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification Board[/hen-ui-link] also offers a certified medical-surgical registered nurse credential, and there are also specialty certifications such as the [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.aacn.org/certification/get-certified/csc-adult” target=”_blank”]American Association of Critical Care Nurses[/hen-ui-link] (AACN)’s cardiac surgery certification.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Most certifications require at least two years of experience as a surgical nurse, though the CFPN is designed for nurses with less than two years of experience. Unlike other surgical nurse certifications, you cannot renew the CFPN.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Surgical Nurse Certifications and Specializations[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-grid columns-md=”4″ gap=”md”] [hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ class=”text-primary-700″ align=”center”]Plastic Surgery Nurse[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Plastic surgery nurses work most often in specialty plastic surgery departments or practices. They may use a variety of aesthetic equipment and procedures.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Salary[hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]$64,000[/hen-ui-text]([hen-ui-link href=”https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Plastic_Surgery_Nurse/Hourly_Rate” target=”_blank”]Payscale, Aug. 2022[/hen-ui-link])[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ class=”text-primary-700″ align=”center”]Nurse Anesthetist[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nurse anesthetists are advanced practice nurses, or APRNs (nurses with at least an MSN or DNP in nurse anesthesiology), who administer anesthesia during surgery. This is the highest-paid nursing specialty. New nurse anesthetists need a doctor of nursing practice (DNP), starting in 2025.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Salary[hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]$166,716[/hen-ui-text]([hen-ui-link href=”https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Nurse_Anesthetist_(CRNA)/Salary” target=”_blank”]Payscale, July 2022[/hen-ui-link])[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ class=”text-primary-700″ align=”center”]Perioperative Nurse[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Perioperative nurses, sometimes called operating room nurses or surgical nurses, have many functions before, during, and after surgery. They educate and prepare patients, assist during surgeries, and monitor and care for patients after surgery.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Salary[hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]$76,567[/hen-ui-text]([hen-ui-link href=”https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Registered_Nurse_(RN)%2C_Operating_Room/Hourly_Rate” target=”_blank”]Payscale, Aug. 2022[/hen-ui-link])[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ class=”text-primary-700″ align=”center”]Transplant Nurse[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Transplant nurses specialize in organ and tissue transplants. Most of these are done under general anesthesia and many patients are in a weakened condition, so these surgeries can be especially risky.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Salary[hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]$80,000[/hen-ui-text]([hen-ui-link href=”https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Certification=Certified_Clinical_Transplant_Nurse_(CCTN)/Salary” target=”_blank”]Payscale[/hen-ui-link])[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][/hen-ui-grid][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ style=”margin-top:2em”]How Much Do Surgical Nurses Make?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]According to [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Registered_Nurse_(RN)%2C_Operating_Room/Hourly_Rate” target=”_blank”]August 2022 Payscale data[/hen-ui-link], the average annual [hen-ui-link href=”/careers/surgical-nurse/”]salary for surgical nurses[/hen-ui-link] is $76,567. Total compensation, including bonuses, ranges from $56,000 – $102,000. Demand, local cost of living, specialization, certifications and education, and level of responsibility all affect surgical nurse salaries.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Salaries for nurses are often highest in areas where the cost of living is highest. For nurses overall, the highest-paying states are California, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, D.C., and Alaska.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ style=”margin-top:2em”]Frequently Asked Questions about Surgical Nurses[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-separator /][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-icon icon=”circle-help” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]How long does it take to become a Surgical Nurse?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]It takes at least two years to earn a nursing license and become an RN. The fastest way is to earn an ADN, which takes two years. A four-year BSN may be more valuable if you plan on a leadership role or earning a master’s degree.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-icon icon=”circle-help” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]What’s the difference between a surgical nurse and a perioperative nurse?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Perioperative nurse, surgical nurse, and operating room nurse all refer to [hen-ui-link href=”https://college.mayo.edu/academics/explore-health-care-careers/careers-a-z/perioperative-nurse” target=”_blank”]nurses working in operating rooms[/hen-ui-link]. However, depending on the setting, some surgical nurses have different responsibilities, such as scrub nurse, circulating nurse, RN first assistants, and post-anesthesia care unit nurses.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-icon icon=”circle-help” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]Do surgical nurses perform surgery?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Surgical nurses are not licensed to perform surgery. They are licensed to prepare patients for surgery, assist during the procedure, and care for recovering patients.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-icon icon=”circle-help” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]What skills do you need to be a surgical nurse?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]To be a surgical nurse, you must be able to work well as part of a team. You must also be able to anticipate what the surgeon or anesthetist might need, be able to communicate honestly and empathetically with patients, and have excellent attention to detail.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ tag=”em”]Page Last Reviewed: August 7, 2022[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Related Pages[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”slider” ids=”66886,34505,34382,46134″][/hen-ui-article-row]