Perioperative nursing is the practice of delivering care to patients before, during and after surgery. Perioperative nurses are often referred to as scrub/scout or operating theatre nurses. Some nurses may work in an anaesthetic support role, specialising in ensuring patient comfort during the anaesthesia process.
Find out all about perioperative nursing roles and how to become a perioperative nurse.
Role of a perioperative nurse
Perioperative nursing covers many different nursing roles, each with its own area of specialty.
Scrub/scout registered nurse
A scrub/scout perioperative nurse is responsible for preparing theatre for surgery and assisting during the procedure. Working directly in the operating theatre, these roles are interchangeable, with one not being able to be done without the other. Typical duties and responsibilities include:
- Ensuring the theatre is clean and all equipment is sterilised
- Accounting for all the tools used during the procedure and expected to count them before and after the procedure to ensure none are missing/left inside the patient
- Assists the team with putting on sterile garments
- Selecting the right instrument for the procedure, at the request of the surgeon
- Thoroughly cleaning the tools after the surgery
- Taking vital observations to ensure the patient is responding well to the surgery
- Dressing wounds and incisions
- Restocking supplies when needed
- Documenting procedures and handovers correctly and concisely
Operating theatre registered nurse
An operating theatre nurse is responsible for delivering care at any phase of the journey, whether it’s before, during or after surgery. Key responsibilities include:
- Explaining the procedure to the patient and addressing any concerns
- Informing the family of the surgery and educating them on likely outcomes
- Performing necessary checks to ensure the patient is fit for surgery
- Assisting the anaesthetist by monitoring the patients’ vital signs, and preparing medications and equipment
- Maintaining a sterile environment
- Acting as a liaison between the surgical team and other hospital staff
- Monitoring patients after surgery and providing care that results in a smooth recovery
Anaesthetic registered nurse
Playing an important role in the perioperative nursing field, anaesthetic nurses focus on the administration of anaesthesia. An anaesthetic nurse is expected to:
- Explain the anaesthetic procedure to the patient and ensure they understand the next steps
- Work closely with the anaesthetists during the surgery and monitor vital signs
- Administering anaesthetic medications as directed
- Assisting in the recovery process, monitoring patients as they wake up from anaesthesia
- Managing complications that may arise
Becoming a perioperative nurse
Perioperative nurses are registered healthcare professionals. To become a perioperative nurse, you need a passion for healthcare, dedication to delivering people-focused care and a can-do attitude. The steps to become a perioperative nurse include:
1. Obtain a Bachelor of Nursing degree
This is a three-year degree that includes theory and practical assessments and can be studied on a full-time or part-time basis. This will give you an overview of the nursing profession and the key skills and knowledge to start your nursing career.
2. Acquire your AHPRA registration
All healthcare professionals are required to register with the Australian Healthcare Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). This is a professional board that everyone in a profession that is responsible for delivering care is fit to practice. An AHPRA registration costs $185 annually and needs to be renewed every May.
3. Transition to practice
A lot of registered nurses will pursue further study if they wish to specialise. For those looking to go into perioperative nursing, a Master of Nursing (Perioperative Nursing) will give you the tools to specialise in theatre nursing. This is usually a one-year program and can be studied on full or part-time basis.
4. Search and apply for perioperative nursing roles
The perioperative nursing field offers multiple opportunities for you to choose which pathway you wish to pursue. From scrub/scout, operating theatre and anaesthetic roles, your career can develop in whichever way you choose. Search and apply for perioperative roles at Pulse today.
Interested to know what you could earn as a perioperative nurse? View a breakdown of a registered nurse salary guide.
What skills do I need to work in perioperative nursing?
Working in perioperative nursing allows you to develop on skills you have acquired during your studies and in the early stages of your career. To succeed as a perioperative nurse, you will need to be able to:
- Communicate effectively – being able to communicate with your patient and their families about processes and upcoming procedures quickly and clearly is a valued asset
- Work well as part of a team – there are multiple roles in the perioperative field, all with their set roles working within their scope of practice. You need to be able to work well as part of a team to ensure smooth delivery of care
- A caring and empathetic nature – undergoing surgery can be nerve-wracking for the patient. Being able to sympathise with how they may be feeling whilst putting them at ease as much as possible is important for patient comfort and experience
- Working well under pressure – being ready for the unexpected and preparing to handle any situation is a key skill for a theatre nurse
- Multi-tasking – it should be second nature to be able to do multiple things at once
Perioperative nurse roles with Pulse
Exceed your theatre nurse career goals with Pulse today. Search and apply for your next role or contact our team today for more information to get started.