Far more than chills run down a person’s spine. Millions of nerves run through the spinal cord and then out into the human body. Our organs depend on the signals being sent.
A surgical spine and trauma nurse specializes in spine health. Many nurses know the importance of spine health, but they have questions about specializing in it.
Look no further. Here is a quick guide to the life of a surgical spine and trauma nurse.
Specializing in Surgical Spine and Trauma
17,000 Americans injure their spines every year. Nearly half of these injuries cause complete damage, in which the individual loses all function below their injury.
Trauma nurses are essential to avoiding complete damage. They treat patients as soon as they come into the emergency room. A nurse must immobilize the spine and monitor the head and spinal cord for damage.
The spine is often injured in multiple ways, with bone and nerve damage. Both kinds of damage need treatment.
Many certified nurses can treat spinal cord injuries without the need to specialize. But the complicated nature of spinal cord injuries means specialty nurses are necessary.
The Life of a Surgical Spine and Trauma Nurse
A surgical spine and trauma nurse has many essential duties. They treat initial injuries in the emergency room, then they take responsibility for spine health.
They prepare a management schedule for patients. They monitor a patient’s reaction to medication, and they adjust prescriptions accordingly.
Nurses follow preadmissions procedures. They need to evaluate a patient’s medical history, medication lists, and allergies. The nurse then determines if the patient is fit for surgery.
After surgery, the nurse helps the patient avoid readmission. They assist the patient in a plan to protect and enhance their spinal health.
They recommend procedures for physical therapy and other outpatient options. Nurses can help patients redesign their personal spaces so they can move around. Nurses can advise patients on equipment they need to manage their injuries.
In surgery rooms, trauma nurses are incredibly important. They prepare the operating room for patients and doctors alike.
They work with instruments, preparing sterile supplies for procedures. They handle anesthetics and pass instruments to the surgeons.
Nurses need several skills to succeed. They need to handle a variety of different patients with courtesy. They need to know basic nursing procedures, then they need to pursue education in spinal health.
But many nurses transition from general practice to surgical spine and trauma health. Once you know the duties of a surgical spine and trauma nurse, you can get underway with your specialty.
Know More About Nursing
A surgical spine and trauma nurse responds to medical emergencies. They treat wounds to the spine and head. They immobilize the spine, then recommend treatments for the patient.
They prepare medications and manage pain. They also assist in surgeries, following preadmissions procedures and recommending physical therapy.
Nurses have many opportunities to specialize and grow. Travel nursing is one opportunity.
Stability HealthCare features a team of leading travel nursing experts. We place doctors in hospitals all over the United States, helping them gain experience in specialties like surgical spine and trauma. Contact us today.
