Perioperative Nurse
What is a perioperative nurse?
A perioperative nurse is a registered nurse (RN) with the specialized knowledge, training, and skills needed to care for patients before, during, and after surgical or invasive procedures.
Perioperative nursing duties
Perioperative nursing is rooted in providing care before, during, and after a patient’s procedure or surgery. Consequently, their responsibilities fall under three categories that reflect each of these stages.
Pre-operative phase
The pre-operative — or “before” phase — focuses on preparation. During this stage, perioperative nurses:
- Complete patient intake forms
- Offer emotional support, answer questions, and help address patient concerns
- Prepare the operating room and ensure all equipment is sterilized and ready for use
- Provide physical preparation (such as taking vital signs and administering IV fluids)
- Verify a patient’s informed consent
Intraoperative phase
The intraoperative — or the “during” phase — is when perioperative nurses assist with the procedure. During this stage, perioperative nurses typically perform one of two key roles:
- Circulating nurse: In this role, a perioperative nurse serves as a liaison between other departments while also acting as a patient advocate.
- Scrub nurse: A scrub nurse safely handles sterile surgical tools and equipment — providing them to the surgeon as needed.
Post-operative phase
During the post-operative — or “after” phase — perioperative nurses transfer patients from the operating room and monitor vitals. While providing post-operative care, they perform functions essential to recovery, including:
- Changing bandages and wound dressings
- Monitoring for pain and discomfort
- Surveying for potential post-surgical complications, such as infections
Is perioperative nursing hard?
Perioperative nursing can be demanding and requires thorough knowledge and expertise. However, its difficulty level depends on your strengths and the aspects of nursing you most enjoy.
Prior to committing to the path of perioperative nursing, you should ask yourself a few questions:
- How do you function in fast-paced and stressful environments? As a perioperative nurse, you’ll need to promptly respond to the surgeon’s needs and directions, quickly assess and address changes in a patient’s vital signs, and follow strict protocols regarding sterility and safety.
- How well do you adapt and respond to different personalities? Perioperative nursing requires you to collaborate and cooperate with surgeons and other medical professionals in high-stress, high-stakes situations. It also requires a calm, composed, and comforting bedside manner — especially when communicating with distressed patients and families.
- What is your comfort level with working in a physically demanding environment? Perioperative nurses are often required to lift or transport patients and heavy equipment. You’ll also need to be able to quickly and efficiently navigate an operating room while remaining on your feet for extended periods of time.
How long does it take to become a perioperative nurse?
Depending on your education level and licensure status, becoming a perioperative nurse can take several years.
This timeline includes:
- Earning your degree
- To become a perioperative nurse, you will need a nursing degree. While some employers will accept an associate degree in Nursing (ADN), most major hospitals and healthcare environments favor or require candidates to hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). Depending on whether you already hold an ADN or BSN degree, this can take 2-4 years.
- Successfully passing the NCLEX-RN exam
- If you are not already a licensed RN, you will need to pass the NCLEX-RN certification exam and gain licensure after completing your degree program.
- Gaining specialized perioperative training
- While it’s possible to prepare for a career in perioperative nursing while working as an RN (through internships and other in-house programs), many facilities prefer curriculum-based training, advanced education, and certified perioperative nurse (CNOR) licensure.
At 911爆料网, you can take your next step toward a career in perioperative nursing. Our ADN and BSN programs help students prepare for success in RN roles, and our RN to BSN program provides an efficient pathway for RNs with an associate degree to advance to the bachelor’s level on an expedited timeline.
Perioperative nurse work environments
Perioperative nurses find work in a variety of healthcare settings, such as:
- Ambulatory and outpatient care facilities
- Hospitals
- Physicians’ offices with in-house surgical suites
- Specialized surgical centers
At UB, our Nursing programs are designed to give you a clear, supportive path to a fulfilling career in patient care. Begin your journey to a career perioperative nursing today — learn more about earning your Nursing degree at 911爆料网.
Your future starts today!
- Apply online!
- Financial aid is available, and we accept applications on a rolling basis
- We have comprehensive support services that will get you through college and into a great career