How to Become a Surgical Nurse Practitioner

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Written by Marie Hasty, BSN, RN Content Writer, IntelyCare
A surgical nurse practitioner puts on gloves while preparing for surgery.

If you have a strong attention to detail and think you’d enjoy supporting patients throughout the surgical process, you might be curious about how to become a surgical nurse practitioner. A surgical NP helps support patients from pre-op appointments to post-op evaluations.

Between 40 and 50 million surgeries are performed every year in the United States, and it takes an advanced team of clinicians to carry out each one. The surgical team includes surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurse anesthetists, scrub nurses, surgical techs, and more. Some of the most common procedures and surgeries include the following:

  • Appendectomy
  • Breast biopsy
  • Carotid endarterectomy (removing blockages from the carotid arteries)
  • Cataract surgery
  • Cesarean section
  • Cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal)

What Is a Surgical NP and What Do They Do?

Surgical nurse practitioners are advanced practice nurses (APRNs) who help carry out safe surgeries. They support patients before, during, and after procedures. NPs work under an expanded scope of practice that allows them to diagnose, prescribe, and create care plans under the supervision of a physician. In many states, they can even work independently, although a surgical NP typically functions as part of a larger team.

Below are some of the skills and responsibilities of a surgical NP:

  • Pre-surgical assessments to understand a patient’s need for surgery, risk factors, and medical history.
  • Intraoperative assistance to support the surgical team, such as suturing, wound management, and assisting with instruments.
  • Post-surgical evaluations to monitor patients’ recovery and adjust care plans as needed.

Surgical NPs can work in a variety of surgical settings, including:

Surgical Nurse Practitioner Salary and Job Outlook

Surgical NPs have an average salary of $127,320 per year, and it’s likely that hospitals will need more of them in the future. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the need for NPs will grow by 46% in the next several years. If you’re willing to go through NP schooling and training requirements, this career could offer a competitive income and job stability.

How to Become a Surgical Nurse Practitioner: 5 Steps

What background and schooling does it take to become a surgical nurse practitioner? Requirements for this role include an RN license, experience, and a master’s or doctoral degree. Below are the steps you’d need to complete to enter this field.

Step 1: Attend Nursing School

Every RN specialty, from med-surg to cannabis nursing, starts with a pre-nursing degree. There are two degree tracks for nurses — a two-year Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). In this case, the BSN is a more direct path even though it will take longer to complete, because most NP schools require it for entry.

During nursing school, you’ll take didactic courses in psychology, anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, and more. Through clinical rotations, you’ll get to know various specialty areas such as pediatrics, labor and delivery, and community health.

Step 2: Pass the NCLEX

Once you’ve graduated from nursing school, the next step is passing the National Council Licensure Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The NCLEX uses an adaptive testing model, so the test may include a flexible number of questions. How many items you receive will depend on how you answer them.

To give yourself the best chance of passing, take several practice tests and review the content you have trouble with. Many nursing schools offer NCLEX review courses after graduation, and you can also buy review materials online. If you don’t pass, you can retake the NCLEX, but this may put off your job search.

Step 3: Gain Experience in Surgical Nursing

Once you’re an RN, it’s time to start your first nursing job. Large acute care centers and hospital networks may have residency programs for new grads in the operating room. This is the ideal track, but not every facility offers OR roles to new grads. In this case, consider gaining experience in a different acute care specialty, such as oncology or cardiac nursing, before transitioning into the operating room.

Most NP programs require at least one or two years of experience before you can apply. This requirement ensures that you have the essential skills and knowledge of a practicing RN. To be a more competitive candidate and advance your skills in surgical nursing, you might consider becoming an RN first assistant.

Step 4: Attend an Advanced Practice Program

There is no specific surgical nurse practitioner degree, but surgical NPs must either possess a master’s or doctoral degree in nursing practice. Surgical nurse practitioner schooling can take the form of a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program with a focus on acute care or family medicine. Or, you might pursue the terminal practice degree for nurses — a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree.

While it might be difficult to find surgical nurse practitioner programs, you can request preceptorships with surgical NPs to increase your exposure to the OR. Search for programs offered through larger teaching institutions with connections to surgical services.

Step 5: Earn NP Certification

Once you complete your program, it’s time to become certified to practice in your state. This process involves applying via a national certifying body, taking an exam, and maintaining your credentials via renewal. Below are common certifications for surgical nurse practitioners:

  • Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP-BC)
  • Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-C)

Step 6: Gain Experience and Transition Into the OR

Now that you’re a certified NP, you can begin working in your first roles as a care provider. An NP fellowship program will help you transition into life as a working surgical NP, with additional preceptor supervision and facility training.

FAQs About Surgical NPs

Surgical NP vs. RN first assistant: What’s the difference?

A surgical NP can be an RNFA, but an RNFA is not always an NP. Surgical NPs attend either a master’s or doctoral program while becoming an RNFA requires a shorter training program.

How long does it take to become a surgical NP?

Becoming a surgical nurse practitioner takes six years at minimum, and likely longer. Consider the milestones that it takes to begin this career:

  • Prelicensure schooling: 2–4 years
  • RN experience: 1–2 years
  • NP schooling: 2–5 years

What can a surgeon do that a surgical NP cannot?

Surgeons operate on patients, while surgical NPs assist and ensure patient safety. Surgical NPs might assist with elements of a procedure, such as suturing and providing exposure, but the surgeon leads procedures and has more authority in the OR.

Seeking Roles in the Operating Room?

IntelyCare has roles for surgical nurse practitioners and more. Learn more with personalized job notifications that match you with open positions in your specialty, location, and preferred care setting.