How does a nurse prepare a patient for surgery?

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How does a nurse prepare a patient for surgery?

What does a perioperative nurse do?

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.

Scope of practice

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:

  • Working with patients prior to surgery to complete paperwork, and help answer questions or calm fears about surgery
  • Monitoring a patient’s condition during and after surgery
  • Selecting and passing instruments and supplies to the surgeon during operation (sometimes referred to as a scrub nurse)
  • Managing the overall nursing care in the operating room to help maintain a safe and comfortable environment (sometimes referred to as a circulating nurse)
  • Educating patients on best practices for recovery, including pain management and keeping wounds clean
  • Cleaning surgical equipment and operating rooms to maintain a sterile environment

Work environment

Perioperative 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 nurse

Successful 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 requirements

The typical pathway to becoming a perioperative nurse is different for everyone, but most include the following:

  • Obtaining a Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN) degree,
  • Passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN)
  • Work experience as a registered nurse (R.N.)
  • Completing a perioperative nurse certification program

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 numbers

4-6

years of higher education

9%

job growth projected from 2020-2030

Perioperative nurse programs at Mayo Clinic

  • Perioperative Nursing Fellowship (Arizona)

Browse similar programs

How does a nurse prepare a patient for surgery?

Cardiovascular perfusionist

How does a nurse prepare a patient for surgery?

Nurse anesthetist

How does a nurse prepare a patient for surgery?

Surgical first assistant

What is the nurse's role in preparing a client for surgery?

WHAT DID WE FIND? The nurse's role in the preoperative assessment is that of advocate who identifies the patient's needs and risk factors that may be affected by the surgical experience.

What are some preoperative nursing preparation activities?

Preoperative preparations focus on a variety of nursing activities, including data collection through patient assessment, patient/family teaching, emotional support, planning of care for the intraoperative and postoperative periods, and communication of patient infor- mation to healthcare team members.

What tasks must the nursing team complete when getting a patient ready for a surgical procedure?

Preparing patients to undergo surgery.
Introduction. ... .
Anxiety. ... .
Pre-admission assessment. ... .
Admission to the clinical area. ... .
Preparing for postoperative care. ... .
Preparing the patient for theatre. ... .
Transfer to theatre. ... .
Preparing the postoperative bed..

How do you prepare a patient?

Prepare the patient (and relatives).
Ensure that you have the correct patient for the correct procedure. ... .
Introduce yourself: be polite, courteous and empathetic. ... .
Use simple language to explain what you are doing and why, and acquire verbal consent from the patient..