Operating room (OR) nurses are often viewed as the glue that binds the process of OR care together. These skilled professionals provide nursing care to the patient before, during, and after an operation. Their work is vital to maintaining patient safety during procedures by sanitizing medical instruments and preventing infections.
Becoming an OR nurse can lead to a fulfilling career in healthcare for those who are considering a nursing school program. However, before choosing a career, it is important to understand the different roles that fall under the OR nurse category.
Types of Operating Room Nurses
There are several operating room nurse roles, and each carry a distinct focus. A pre-op OR nurse prepares patients for their surgical procedure, while a post-op OR nurse delivers patient care immediately after the surgery. OR nurses directly involved with helping surgeons during surgery are known as intra-op OR nurses.
In addition, there are other specific roles for nurses in the operating room.
Scrub Nurse
Scrub nurses assist the operating surgeon by ensuring the necessary supplies and equipment are ready for use during a surgical procedure. Scrub nurses provide support in various ways. They place sterile drapes to cover the patient in preparation for the surgery, and handle the instruments, gauze, sutures, and other equipment needed to perform the surgery. To conduct their duties, scrub nurses must perform a thorough hand-washing — a process commonly referred to as “scrubbing in.”
Circulating Nurse
Circulating nurses provide the surgical team — including the surgeon, anesthesiologist, and scrub nurse — with supplies, equipment, and medications that may be needed during the procedure. They may also be responsible for keeping the patient’s family informed and providing them with updates during the surgery.
Circulating nurses have pre-op duties, such as preparing patients and their families for the upcoming surgery, so they can know what to expect during the procedure. Unlike scrub nurses, circulating nurses do not need to “scrub in,” nor do they wear sterile gloves or gowns. However, they usually assist with ensuring the operating room is a sterile environment.
Registered Nurse First Assistant
Registered nurse first assistants (RNFAs) directly assist surgeons during procedures through actions such as controlling bleeding, dressing wounds, suturing, and looking for indications of complications. Because they provide this level of hands-on support, RNFAs typically possess additional experience and education in surgical care than scrub or circulating nurses.
Leadership Roles
Over time, OR nurses can use their experience and expertise to pursue nurse leadership positions, such as roles in nursing administration. These roles, such as charge nurse, nurse manager, or director of care, can allow individuals to develop strategies to improve the effectiveness of a facility’s care delivery strategies, including its OR functionality. These types of leadership positions can be found in both hospitals and ambulatory care settings.
Where Do Operating Room Nurses Work?
OR nurses commonly work in acute care settings in hospitals or outpatient centers. Some of their duties may vary depending on where they work. For example, some smaller facilities may not be able to perform more complex or high acuity surgeries. The type of facility may also impact an OR nurse’s work schedule. An outpatient center, for instance, may specialize in elective surgery or may not offer round-the-clock nursing care. Work hours may be more predictable in this type of environment, as outpatient centers do not typically require OR nurses to be “on call” outside of regular hours like they would be at a hospital OR.
Steps to Become an Operating Room Nurse
OR nurses take on a specialized role regardless of the specific tasks they perform. As such, becoming an operating room nurse is a multi-step process.
The first step involves education. This can start with obtaining an associate degree from a nursing school program. These programs can help establish the foundational knowledge and skills to handle the basic duties associated with nursing. Such a degree program prepares individuals to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam, a required exam that further validates a person’s nursing knowledge and skills. Some OR nursing positions may require the completion of an additional degree, such as a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN).
After passing the NCLEX-RN exam, individuals must obtain licensure in their intended state of practice. The requirements for licensure vary by state, so it is prudent to become familiar with the necessary steps. After securing a license, a nurse can gain experience as a registered nurse in a critical care, operating room, or emergency room setting. This experience can further solidify the knowledge and skills to excel in an OR setting.
Become a Key Component of Critical Care
Whether they are aiding surgeons who are performing a procedure, or providing updates to families waiting for results, OR nurses can have a significant impact on patients’ lives. Individuals who are interested in becoming a nurse who assists during operations can explore the Fortis nursing school programs.
Fortis offers Practical Nursing and Associate Degree in Nursing programs that can help you embark on your professional journey. The programs are designed to help you build a foundational level of knowledge and skills that can support you for the rest of your nursing career, regardless of where your journey takes you.
Learn how we can help you pursue a career in a critical field.
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