Plastic Surgery

[krazy_coconuts]

Do plastic surgeons hire RNs? I had plastic surgery a year and a half ago and I swear he had RNs working in his office.

[niptucknurse]

Hmmmmm...I'm sooo glad someone has brought up the topic of plastic surgery nursing. Plastic surgery nursing is a growing nursing specialty. As you all already know, people are living longer and healthier lives and want to look as good as they feel. Consequently, nursing in this field has become increasingly specialized. There is a national association of plastic surgery nurses and they encourage nurses with at least 2 years experience in plastic surgery to seek certification in this specialty. Plastic Surgeons in England have actually requested that nursing schools offer specialty training or a nursing degree specific to plastic/reconstructive surgery. One nursing school in England has already set the precedent and will be the first nursing school to offer a specialty in plastic surgery. Now, you may be wondering how I know so much about this topic. I am not a plastic surgery nurse, I'm a critical care nurse but I was a plastic surgery patient. My surgeon recommended that I hire a private duty nurse and in researching local agencies I found that agencies have a "one nurse fits all" approach.

I'm in the process of starting my own nursing agency that will be specific to plastic/reconstructive surgery. Plastic surgery patients expect compassion and respect from a nurse who will not judge them. I guess my question to you guys is this...do you believe there is a need for this type of specialty?

[henrysnana]

I'd be interested in more info on the group you're developing. I have worked in the OR for >30 yrs. with many hrs. in plastics. Are you anticipating work as pvt. duty, office, or where? Do you know what the nurses in ENG. are doing differently if credentialed in Plastics?

[niptucknurse]

Hello and thanks for your response,

First and foremost I would like to apologize for not responding sooner.

I anticipate working as a private duty nurse and hiring other nurses to care for patients recovering from plastic and/or reconstructive surgery. Care would be provided in the client's home or other recovery site such as a hotel or resort for those out-of-state patients. I conducted a field study survey in my area and spoke with staff and registered nurses employed in plastic surgery offices/medspas and surgicenters. I found that the RN's at the facilities I surveyed either did not know there was such certification in plastics available or knew about it and have not yet sought certification. However, most nurses were new hires with the majority of RN's with prior experience in critical care/OR/RR. The nurses receive their training in plastics from other RN's on staff or the physician directly. I have a subscription to the American Society of Plastic Surgical Nursing and according to the the journal, certification is meant to promote professionalism, helps establish competency in specialty skills and comprehension, increases career opportunities and promotion and can contribute to greater income potential. Most importantly, certification shows your commitment to the specialty in in plastic surgical nursing. More and more plastic surgeons are becoming aware of the importance and advantages of hiring a certified plastic surgery nurse. Plastic surgery nurses frequently attend the same forums and conventions that plastic surgeons do to promote the importance and tremendous advantage a board certified nurse brings to the practice. During the course of my field study in the Scottsdale, Arizona area, I did not meet one nurse that was certified. However, I surveyed 10 practices out of 71 practices in the city. I would prefer that the nurses I hire have certification in plastics but at least 2 years in a plastic surgery setting would suffice. Please do not hesitate to ask me any further questions. Thank you!