The advantage of having a highly knowledgeable and expertly trained nurse in a plastic surgeon's office can be boiled down to one critical area: patient safety. Certainly other important considerations exist, but patient safety should be the first and last consideration. A plastic surgical nurse can bring efficiency and effectiveness to a health assessment, patient education, and the postoperative period, thereby creating the safest environment for patients before, during, and after surgical procedures.
A plastic surgical nurse is trained to perform health assessments and educated to ask questions that may reveal a high-risk patient. It is crucial that the nurse has the ability to ask the right questions to determine whether the patient is prepared for surgery.
It is important to take the time to discuss the client's personal and family medical history. This may include physical and/or psychological issues that may raise a red flag and need further investigation. Taking the time to fully understand the patient in regard to their medical history, family support (or lack there of), work environment, pain tolerance, and psychological status may indicate that adjustments may be necessary in the surgical planning or postoperative care. Once this information is gathered during the preoperative interview, it is documented and brought to the attention of the physician. Identifying these risks prior to surgery will allow time to suggest interventions so that the patient is properly prepared for surgery.
Aside from identifying any risks, taking this time shows the patient you are trying to get to know them as a person-not just a procedure. This brings comfort and instills confidence that they are in "good hands."
A plastic surgery nurse can improve office efficiency by seeing and assessing the fresh postoperative patients. A properly educated and knowledgeable nurse will be able to address most patient concerns. She is viewed as being the physician's eyes and ears when he is not readily available.
Plastic surgical nurses may be trained as managers to guarantee that the office flow is efficient and cost-effective. Their personal and professional integrity will ensure that patient safety is top priority and will follow the policy and procedures established by the facility.
How does a nurse get this specialized skill to be a plastic surgical nurse?
* Membership to ASPSN. Being a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgical Nurses is a great initial step. The benefits can be life changing in your chosen field of nursing.
* Conventions. Attending the various national and regional meetings that are offered throughout the year offers invaluable educational opportunities and networking with other nurses who share the same interest and enthusiasm. The fall national convention and the spring aesthetic symposium are held in conjunction with the physician meeting. This provides a great opportunity to attend the lectures and the exhibits with your physician so you can collaborate on the specific needs of the office. It is surprising how much can be accomplished when you are in a learning environment. You feed off the excitement of new trends, techniques, equipment, management idea, and so forth.
* The Core Curriculum. ASPSN also offers The Core Curriculum, comprehensive documentation of plastic surgical nursing skills. It is designed to serve as a reference tool for every aspect of plastic surgical and nonsurgical patient care. The Core book is an essential study guide for anyone sitting for the CPSN (certified plastic surgical nurse) examination as well as an invaluable resource to any plastic surgery practice.
* Certified plastic surgical nurse. The CPSN designation recognizes that the nurse has attained a common knowledge base, utilization of the nursing process, and a high level of skill in the practice setting required for proficient practice in the specialty of plastic and reconstructive surgical nursing.
* Plastic Surgical Nursing Journal. The quarterly issue of the Plastic Surgical Nursing (PSN) Journal presents the latest advances in plastic and reconstructive surgical as well as nonsurgical nursing practice. Written for plastic surgical nurses, the PSN features clinical articles covering a wide variety of surgical and nonsurgical procedures. Patient education techniques and research findings, as well as articles discussing the ethical issues and trends in this expanding clinical nursing specialty, are also included.
* ASPSN Volunteer Committees. If you are interested in getting involved in the association, this is the perfect step. There are several different committees that are looking for fresh faces and new ideas to build a stronger association. Becoming a part of a committee is a great educational opportunity. When your voice matters, it often results in increased personal and professional confidence and productivity.
* Employment. Lastly, you want to make sure that you are working with a reputable, board-certified plastic surgeon. Those physicians who are members of American Society of Plastic Surgeons and American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons share the same philosophy, educational ideas, and high standards as does ASPSN. The more we work together as a team, inside and outside the office/hospital setting, the more the patient will benefit from superior care in a safe nursing environment.
It is an honor to be a member of ASPSN. The amount of knowledge that has been gathered over the years has been invaluable, and I know it has improved the care I provide for my patients. To be able to pass on what I have learned to those just starting in the field of plastic surgical nursing is rewarding. As a new or seasoned plastic surgery nurse, you always have somewhere to turn or someone to talk to if you encounter a problem.
Respectfully
Tracey Hotta, BScN, RN, CSPN
Editor, PSN