What class in nursing school do they teach you surgical procedures?

Jensmom7, BSN, RN · Apr 5, 2016

Short answer? They don't.

If you're lucky, at some point during your MedSurg rotation, you might get a chance to watch one surgery. But you won't be in the front row, and you most certainly won't be assisting the surgeon in any way, shape or form.

Extra Pickles · Apr 5, 2016

what Jensmom said, you won't be doing anything remotely hands on for surgical anything!! might be confusing nursing school with medical school. If you're lucky you will get to see something surgical at some point, but you will be a guest who is placed well out of the way.

Editorial Team / Admin · Apr 5, 2016

Nursing school just can't give a glimpse into each and every nursing specialty out there. They aim to teach you the nursing basics- and surgery isn't part of that. However, as Jensmom said, you may get an observation day in the OR. There might be the possibility of doing a preceptorship/capstone in the OR or another perioperative area if your program provides that and can find a willing preceptor, or you can look into nursing externships that may include a rotation in the OR.

Pangea Reunited, ASN, RN · Apr 5, 2016

We learn more about common complications of common surgical procedures. Dressing changes, yes. "Sewing people up", no.

RNNPICU, BSN, RN · Apr 5, 2016

Med Surg clinical is typically the first clinical, you will do bed baths, Vitals, and maybe one day give a med, depending on your school and clinical instructor. In your Med Surg rotation you will likely have 1 day in an OR observation. You will not get to touch the patient or do anything, it is an observation.

If you like the hands on suturing, etc, maybe think about a surgical tech, not a nurse as they get to assist with some of those things. Not to dissuade you from nursing, but if those are the skills you want, maybe think about a different pathway.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Apr 5, 2016

There is often a lot of suturing and blood in the ER. :)

smf0903 · Apr 5, 2016

As everyone else said, you don't learn surgical procedures in nursing school. We got a day in the OR and must have been luckier than most with the surgeon operating that day because he brought us right up to the table. We (another gal and I) were standing well out of the way and the surgeon looked at us and said "Well ya can't see anything good all the way over there! C'mon over here" We ended up being able to see the whole shebang. I will never forget that experience, mostly because the woman who assisted the surgeon wore stiletto heels :eek:

OldDude · Apr 5, 2016

None, they let us stand around in the OR a few times and look stupid, but that was about it for us

cracklingkraken, ASN, RN · Apr 5, 2016

Are you thinking of med school?...

OlivetheRN, ADN, BSN, RN · Apr 5, 2016

Yeeeaaaa. Nurses don't suture people up. If you want to do that you'll have to go on to be a NP and work in the ER. Then you'll get to suture people. But you certainly won't be sewing people up in nursing school. As others have said, if you're lucky, you may get to stand and observe in an OR.

Alicia777, MSN, NP · Apr 5, 2016

As everyone else said, you don't learn surgical procedures in nursing school. We got a day in the OR and must have been luckier than most with the surgeon operating that day because he brought us right up to the table. We (another gal and I) were standing well out of the way and the surgeon looked at us and said "Well ya can't see anything good all the way over there! C'mon over here" We ended up being able to see the whole shebang. I will never forget that experience, mostly because the woman who assisted the surgeon wore stiletto heels

I'm a surgical NP-I always try and invite the nursing student over to the field. I remember being a scared little nursing student myself and standing waaay off in the corner. Boo.