How to Be Perioperative Nurse - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Perioperative nurses are responsible for providing care to patients before, during, and after surgery. They play an important role in the overall outcome of a surgery, as they are involved in every step of the process. Preoperatively, they provide patient education and assess the patient’s condition and the planned procedure.

During surgery, they help set up the operating room, provide support to surgeons and anesthesiologists, and monitor the patient’s vital signs and comfort. Postoperatively, they provide wound care, medication administration, and patient and family support. Perioperative nurses must be highly skilled, experienced, and knowledgeable about patient care, medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, sterile technique, and pharmacology.

As a result of the perioperative nurse’s expertise and dedication to their profession, patients have improved outcomes and satisfaction with their surgical experience.

Steps How to Become

  1. Earn a Bachelor's Degree. To become a perioperative nurse, you must first earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited college or university. This will provide you with the foundation of knowledge and skills necessary to work as a nurse.
  2. Get Licensed. After graduating from an accredited nursing program, you will need to obtain licensure in your state by passing the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).
  3. Obtain Clinical Experience. Once you have your license, you will need to gain clinical experience in the perioperative setting. This experience can be obtained through a residency program, an externship, or working as a nurse assistant in an operating room.
  4. Consider Earning a Post-Baccalaureate Specialty Certification. To further specialize in perioperative nursing, you can choose to pursue a post-baccalaureate specialty certification. This certification is offered through the Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses (AORN) and requires you to have at least one year of experience in the operating room as well as passing an exam.
  5. Pursue Continuing Education. To stay up to date on the latest developments and best practices in perioperative nursing, it is important to pursue continuing education. This can include attending conferences and workshops, taking classes, or completing online courses.

Staying ahead and qualified as a Perioperative Nurse requires an ongoing commitment to continuing education and professional development. Regularly attending conferences and workshops, reading the latest industry journals, and participating in online courses can help nurses stay informed about the latest advancements in the field. Keeping up to date with the latest research, guidelines, and standards of practice is essential for Perioperative Nurses to stay ahead and qualified.

networking with other professionals in the field can be a great way to stay informed on the latest trends and developments. Finally, staying organized and keeping up with paperwork and documentation also helps to ensure that nurses remain compliant with the latest standards of practice. By taking these steps, Perioperative Nurses can ensure they remain qualified and knowledgeable on the latest industry trends.

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Job Description

  1. Assess patient health status and develop a plan of care for patients prior to and immediately following surgery.
  2. Monitor vital signs and administer medications as needed during surgery.
  3. Educate patients and their families about the surgery, potential risks, and post-operative care.
  4. Assist surgeons with procedures and provide support to the surgical team.
  5. Coordinate with anesthesiologists to ensure safe patient management throughout the procedure.
  6. Prepare the operating room and instruments for surgery.
  7. Manage patient pain and discomfort following surgery.
  8. Instruct patients on pre- and post-operative care, including wound care and activity restrictions.
  9. Document all treatment activities in the patient’s electronic medical record.
  10. Monitor patients for signs of complications or adverse reactions to medications.

Skills and Competencies to Have

  1. Ability to assess and monitor patients before, during and after surgery.
  2. Knowledge of surgical equipment, medical terminology and anatomy.
  3. Ability to explain the risks, benefits and alternatives of surgery to patients and their families.
  4. Ability to anticipate patient needs and take appropriate action.
  5. Ability to maintain a sterile environment in the OR.
  6. Ability to use electronic medical records systems.
  7. Knowledge of infection control protocols and procedures.
  8. Knowledge of pharmacology and medication administration.
  9. Ability to manage patient pain and other symptoms.
  10. Ability to provide emotional support to patients and families throughout the process.
  11. Ability to collaborate with an interdisciplinary team of professionals.
  12. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Perioperative nurses play an important role in the operating room, and having the right skills is essential for success. A key skill for a perioperative nurse is effective communication. Being able to communicate effectively with surgeons, patients, and other health care providers allows nurses to provide efficient and safe care.

having strong technical abilities is important in order to be able to use medical equipment and understand surgical procedures. It is also important for perioperative nurses to be organized. Organization skills are essential for nurses to carry out their duties in a timely manner and to follow protocols for infection control.

Lastly, having excellent critical thinking skills is necessary in order to assess the patient’s condition and make decisions quickly in the operating room. By having these skills, perioperative nurses can provide the best possible care for patients before, during, and after surgery.

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Frequent Interview Questions

  • What experience do you have working in a perioperative setting?
  • How do you handle stressful situations in the operating room?
  • What do you think are the most important qualities of a perioperative nurse?
  • How do you ensure patient safety and comfort during a procedure?
  • What protocols do you follow to maintain sterility in the operating room?
  • What do you do to stay current with advances in perioperative nursing?
  • How do you handle difficult conversations with patients or families in the OR?
  • What challenges have you faced as a perioperative nurse, and how did you overcome them?
  • Describe a time when you had to make a difficult decision on the job.
  • How do you work with other members of the healthcare team in the OR?

Common Tools in Industry

  1. IV Start Kit. Used to prepare and start IVs. (eg: Saline, tubing, needles)
  2. Syringe Pump. Used to administer medications at a regulated rate. (eg: Morphine, insulin)
  3. Foley Catheter Kit. Used to insert a bladder catheter. (eg: Sterile gloves, lubricant, catheter)
  4. O2 Delivery System. Used to deliver oxygen to patients. (eg: Nasal prongs, oxygen mask, oxygen tank)
  5. Medication Administration Record. Used to keep track of medications given to patients. (eg: Dosage, time administered, patient name)
  6. Anesthesia Machine. Used to monitor and control the delivery of anesthesia. (eg: Ventilator, vaporizer, oxygen flowmeter)
  7. Surgical Instruments. Used to perform surgical procedures. (eg: Scalpels, forceps, retractors)
  8. Surgical Gowns/Gloves. Used to protect patient and staff from cross-contamination. (eg: Disposable gowns and gloves)
  9. Wound Care Supplies. Used to clean and dress wounds. (eg: Gauze, bandages, antiseptic)
  10. Vital Sign Monitors. Used to measure patient vital signs. (eg: Blood pressure cuff, heart rate monitor)

Professional Organizations to Know

  1. American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA)
  2. American Nurses Association (ANA)
  3. Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN)
  4. Society of Otorhinolaryngology and Head-Neck Nurses (SOHN)
  5. Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN)
  6. American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses (ASPAN)
  7. National Association of PeriAnesthesia Nurses (NAPAN)
  8. International Association of Operating Room Nurses (IAORN)
  9. American College of Osteopathic Surgeons (ACOS)
  10. National Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses (NAPRN)

We also have Medical-Surgical Nurse, Flight Nurse, and Travel Nurse jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

  1. Anesthesia. The administration of drugs or gas to cause a loss of feeling or awareness during a medical procedure.
  2. Intraoperative. Occurring during surgery.
  3. Perioperative. Referring to the period before, during, and after a surgical procedure.
  4. Preoperative. Taking place before a surgical procedure.
  5. Postoperative. Taking place after a surgical procedure.
  6. Operating Room (OR). A specialized room in a hospital for performing surgical operations.
  7. Operating Room Nurse (ORN). A nurse who is responsible for providing care before, during, and after surgery.
  8. Surgical Instruments. Tools used by surgeons in performing operations.
  9. Surgical Technologist (ST). A health care professional who prepares the operating room and provides assistance to surgeons during an operation.
  10. Surgical Site Infection (SSI). An infection that occurs at the site of an operation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the role of a Perioperative Nurse?

A Perioperative Nurse is a registered nurse who specializes in providing care to patients before, during, and after surgery. They are responsible for providing direct patient care and monitoring vital signs, supporting the surgical team, and providing education to patients and their families.

What qualifications are required to become a Perioperative Nurse?

To become a Perioperative Nurse, one must have a valid registered nursing license, a minimum of two years of nursing experience, and completion of a Perioperative Nursing Certification program.

What type of environment does a Perioperative Nurse work in?

Perioperative Nurses typically work in a hospital setting. They may also work in ambulatory surgery centers, physician offices, and other healthcare settings.

What are the job duties of a Perioperative Nurse?

The job duties of a Perioperative Nurse include providing preoperative assessments, monitoring vital signs, providing patient education, administering medications, maintaining a sterile environment, and providing postoperative care.

How much does a Perioperative Nurse make?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for a Perioperative Nurse is $74,540 per year.

Web Resources

  • Perioperative Nurse - Explore Health Care Careers … college.mayo.edu
  • What Is Perioperative Nursing? - Western Governors University www.wgu.edu
  • Undergraduate Certificate in Perioperative Nursing (OR) www.unmc.edu
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