| Name: |
OR
(Perioperative) Nurse |
| Description: |
Provides
for the surgical patient’s needs, by
assessing, planning, and implementing nursing
care patient receives preoperatively,
intraoperatively, and postoperatively. Nursing
activities performed by the perioperative nurse
include patient assessment, creating and
maintaining a sterile and safe environment,
preoperative and postoperative teaching,
monitoring physiologic and psychological status,
integration and coordination of care across
settings and among disciplines, patient advocacy,
and efficient provision of resources |
| Diagnoses: |
Provides
nursing care to all surgical subspecialties
requiring surgical intervention for curative or
palliative treatment. Surgical subspecialties can
include neurosurgery, cardiac surgery, trauma,
pediatrics, oncology, general surgery, urology,
ophthalmology, otorhinolaryngology (ear, nose and
throat), dental, plastic and reconstructive, and
orthopaedic surgery |
| Practice
roles: |
Staff
nurse functioning in roles of scrub or
circulating nurse, Registered Nurse First
Assistant, Manager; Supervisor, Director,
Educator, Clinical Nurse Specialist, and
Researcher |
| Characteristics: |
Work
closely with a variety of patients, family
members, and other health care professionals.
Variety of duties, learning opportunities,
technology, and teaching opportunities. Teamwork
in a multidisciplinary setting. A sense of
personal satisfaction derived from helping others
|
| Client
age group: |
All
ages |
| Drawbacks: |
Can
be exposed to human suffering and frequent
emergencies |
| Desirable
skills: |
Must
be able to accept responsibility, provide
direction to others, coordinate the
patient’s healthcare plan, collaborate with
physicians and other health care professionals,
and determine when consultation is needed. Along
with interpersonal skills, critical thinking
skills, and flexibility, physical strength and
stamina to position patients, transport
equipment, and standing for long periods of time |
| Education: |
RN
with AD, diploma, or BSN. Depending on where you
live and/or the facility, general nursing
experience may be required before entering this
specialty |
| Employers: |
Hospital
surgical departments, ambulatory surgery centers,
clinics, physician’s offices, and physician
office-based surgery |
| Certification: |
|
| Associations: |
|
| Publications: |
| AORN
Journal |
| |
| Surgical
Services Management (journal) |
| |
| AORN
Standards |
|
|
