Cryptic crossword clue
Competent nurses are there initially to do surgical removal 6

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 6 letter word ABLATE

I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
A
B
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The straight part
We know that "to do surgical removal" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case to do surgical removal = ablate.
The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.
This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.

What does ABLATE mean?

ABLATE verb
  1. To remove or decrease something by cutting, erosion, melting, evaporation, or vaporization.
  2. To undergo ablation; to become melted or evaporated and removed at a high temperature.

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