|
|
| Name: |
Perianesthesia Nurse |
| Description: |
Perianesthesia nursing provides intensive care to patients as they awaken from anesthesia. The Perianesthesia nurse prepares patients for the surgical experience, monitors and supports safe transition from anesthetized state to responsiveness, and readies patients for discharge from perianesthesia care unit. |
| Practice setting: |
Perianesthesia care units in inpatient and outpatient settings, including freestanding |
| Client age group: |
All ages |
| Diagnoses: |
Responses to and complications of anesthesia, including respiratory compromise, hypotension, emergence excitement, nausea and/or vomiting, pain |
| Practice
roles: |
Clinical
— staff nurse, clinical nurse specialist,
nurse anesthetist
Management — nurse manager, coordinator,
supervisor
Administration — director, executive
Nurse educator
Research nurse |
| Characteristics: |
Patient care, variety and rapid turnover of patients, teamwork, flexibility, technology |
| Challenges: |
Irregular hours, weekend and holiday work, lack of patient contact and follow-up, stress, conflicts, and pressure |
| Desirable skills: |
Experience in medical/surgical and critical-care nursing (hands-on skills like line placement, tube insertions, dressing changes, IV therapy, and positioning), flexibility, good assessment and decision-making skills, stress management, technological ability |
| Education: |
RN with AD, Diploma, or BSN (preferred) |
| Employers: |
Hospitals, free-standing ambulatory surgery centers |
| Certification: |
|
| Organizations: |
|
| Publications: |
|
|
