Find a Legal Nurse Consultant Program Surgical Nursing Careers As a surgical nurse, you will assist during delicate organ transplants, precision laser incisions and quadruple heart bypasses, to name a few. From preparing patients before surgery to assisting the surgeon in the operating room to charting progress in recovery, surgical nurses are there for patients every step of the way. With a mastery of clinical skills and ability to connect with people, as a surgical nurse you is an advocate for your patient during surgery. Monitoring vitals signs, alleviating discomfort and comforting anxious patients and their families are all a rewarding part of a career in surgical nursing.