Plastic Surgery

[JerseyGirl2010]

Hello all,

I am in my final semester of Nursing school. I'm very interested in Plastic Surgery nursing and eventually would like to become an NP in the specialty. Can anyone shed light on what it takes to become one? What area in the hospital would give me the best experience to boost my resume for this specialty? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

[uthscsa2011]

I hear Operating Room is where most cosmetic surgery nurses get their first few years of experience. Some also come from dermatology offices as well.

[42pines]

Good question. I'd go with uthscsa2011 and do OR. Great future opportunity due to our aging population. I need my neck tightened up a bit--please IM me when you're ready.

[bakerbakerRN]

You do want to head to the OR, but usually will need some med/surg experience before. However, there may be places that will hire you without that experience. You can also try any positions in the perioperative setting which include Pre and Post OP care and Recovery Room. That's how I snuck in to the OR and LOVED IT! Good Luck!

[JerseyGirl2010]

This is great advice and great encouragement! I've actually already looked

into PACU as an option, it seems if I get my ACLS cert it will give me 'the edge' plus I've noticed I actually did enjoy my clinical ICU experience so its win-win! What about med-spas?

[GoldenStateRN]

Med spas can be excellent training grounds. Depending on what services are offered at the Med spa, you may want to make sure there is an experienced board certified cosmetic surgeon or dermatologist available at all times there. If something goes wrong, you want back up.

[JerseyGirl2010]

Thanks for your post GoldenStateRN! Do you work in Plastics or Derm? Is there anything in particular med-spas look for?

[napgiver]

I worked in the burn ICU. It was the absolute best prep for working in plastic surgery. You will learn more there than in the OR. If you can work in the ICU, you can work ANYWHERE!