Page Content A perioperative nurse is a registered nurse (R.N.) who works in the
operating room. Sometimes called a surgical or an operating room nurse, this specialized nurse cares for patients before, during, and after surgery. In the operating room, the perioperative nurse may serve as a scrub nurse, selecting and passing instruments and supplies used for the operation, or as a circulating nurse managing the overall nursing care in the operating room and helping to maintain a safe, comfortable environment. Perioperative nurses use a
comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to patient care, assisting surgeons and surgical teams to care for a patient before, during, and after surgery. Specifically, responsibilities and duties of a perioperative nurse include:
Work environmentPerioperative nurses work in hospital operating rooms, outpatient centers, and doctors’ offices. Perioperative nurses have a lot of contact with patients of all ages, surgeons, and other members of the surgical team. Often times, perioperative nurses are working with new patients every day and typically do not form long-term relationships with their patients. The work environment can be stressful due to the nature of the position, but many nurses find it a rewarding role. Becoming a perioperative nurseSuccessful perioperative nurses are excellent problem-solvers with the desire to care for people. Many nursing degree programs require a strong background in science along with taking the certified nursing assistant course. Prior experience in the health care field can often help set a nursing student or a recent graduate apart from their classmates. Higher education requirementsThe typical pathway to becoming a perioperative nurse is different for everyone, but most include the following:
Job opportunities for registered nurses are excellent. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects employment of R.N.s will continue to grow at an average pace. Perioperative nurses can expect to earn a median salary of $81,840. With additional education and experience, perioperative nurses can advance their careers and work as operating room directors who help manage budgets, staffing, and other business aspects of the operating room. Some perioperative nurses complete advanced degrees to become nurse anesthetists or become a certified first assistant. They may also work as clinical educators or researchers. By the numbers4-6 years of higher education 9% job growth projected from 2020-2030 Perioperative nurse programs at Mayo Clinic
Browse similar programsCardiovascular perfusionistNurse anesthetistSurgical first assistantWhat is the role of the circulating nurse during surgery?Circulating nurses provide additional supplies and sterile instruments as needed during the operation and assist the other team members in monitoring the status of the patient or helping with the repositioning of the patient during the procedure.
Which action is appropriate for a circulating nurse to perform during a surgical procedure quizlet?Before a client's surgery begins, the circulating nurse notes that the nurse anesthetist did not perform a surgical scrub before coming into the operating room. Which action by the circulating nurse is most appropriate? Proceed with positioning the client on the operating bed.
Which action is a circulating nurse responsibility during anesthesia induction?Assisting in induction of anesthesia, monitoring the draping procedure, and providing a hand-off report to the PACU nurse are the duties of a circulating nurse.
What are the priority roles of nurses circulating & scrubs in the intraoperative phase of the patient's surgical experience?Nursing responsibilities during the intraoperative phase include continuing the assessment of the patient's physiologic and psychologic status, promoting safety and privacy, preventing wound infection, and promoting healing.
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