can nurses do this...

[ostomyrn2b09]

Hi I am prenursing student from Cali and I am really interested in surgery. At first I wanted to become a coroner, but I didn't want to go to school forever. Are there nurses who help the coroner perform autopsies? Are there nurses who help the surgeon with surgeries? Or do they just hand him/her the scalpel, or necessary tools??? What exactly is operating room nursing?? Any advice, comments, or suggestions are welcomed!!! Thanks so much!!! This is my favorite website...I am on here every single day just learning about the daily lives of nursing and what I can look forward to when I become an RN!!!

Jackie

[-Midget-]

Hi Jackie - From the little bit of research I have done, I think the role you are looking to get into eventually would be Registered Nurse First Assist (RNFA). I was going to provide you with websites about such a career, but each website only seems to get bits and pieces of information. A quick Google search will lead you to a lot of information. And I am sure someoen else here can offer even more information, considering I am student, and not even a nursing student yet. Briefly and simply stated, the role of the RNFA seems to be assisting the surgeon in surgery, as well as teaching, following up with the patient in the pre-op and post-op stages.

The question about the autopsies and the coroner seems to be more along the lines of Forensic Nursing, which has it's own forum, that could provide you with additional information.