Roles of the Perioperative nurse

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