Registered Nurse (RN), Operating Room

An operating room registered nurse, also known as a perioperative nurse, cares for patients at all stages of operative care (before, during, and after surgery). There are three areas of the operating room in which such a nurse might focus: circulating, scrub nurse, and first assistant.

The circulating nurse is concerned with maintaining a sterile environment in an operating room; this type of nurse opens sterile packages containing items that assist with operating procedures, as well as documents procedures needed to maintain a sterile environment. The scrub nurse, wears gloves and scrubs, and hands the surgeon(s) necessary instruments; he or she also monitors a patient's condition during surgery. The first assistant works most closely with the surgeons, doing some hands-on performance on the patient such as cutting into tissue or suturing, and hands the surgeon(s) the necessary instruments.

Operating room nurses work indoors in sterile operating rooms in hospitals and medical facilities. Their immediate supervisors are the surgeons with whom they work, in addition to administrative supervisors within the nursing hierarchy. They work not only with surgeons, but with fellow nurses and anesthesiologists. Their work schedule might call for them to be on duty any day of the week, at any hour, either by scheduled assignment or on short notice. Operating room nurses may be exposed to dangerous substances that are used in sterilization and anesthesiological procedures, and they are also are around sharp objects.

A registered nurse must complete of an accredited nursing program to receive certification. Being a first assistant also may require a certain number of years in practice as a registered nurse or additional coursework. Being an operating room nurse requires critical thinking, the ability to work in a fast-paced environment and be highly adaptive. Because these nurses work in situations that potentially involve death, they should be emotionally prepared to handle a variety of outcomes without a drop in performance.

As a Registered Nurse RN with 9+ years of experience in the operating room in Singapore, your main responsibilities include:

• Coordinate and prepare surgical procedures, ensuring the availability of necessary instruments, equipment, and supplies.
• Oversee the sterile field during surgery, ensuring adherence to aseptic techniques and infection control protocols.
• Collaborate with the surgical team, including surgeons, anesthesiologists, and surgical technologists, to provide optimal patient care.
• Monitor patients' vital signs, administer medications, and assist in post-operative recovery, ensuring patients receive appropriate pain management and support.

For a Registered Nurse (RN), Operating Room job role, the following qualifications are required:

• A Registered Nurse must possess an active and unrestricted license to practice nursing. This ensures that they have met the necessary educational requirements and have the competency to provide safe and effective care in an operating room setting.
• Prior experience working in an operating room is essential for an RN in this role. They should be familiar with surgical procedures, sterile techniques, and the use of specialized equipment. This experience helps them anticipate and respond to the unique demands of the operating room environment.
• The operating room is a fast-paced and high-stakes environment. An RN must have keen attention to detail to ensure accuracy in administering medications, monitoring vital signs, and documenting patient information. Small errors can have significant consequences, making attention to detail a critical qualification.
• Operating room nurses often encounter complex situations that require quick decision-making and problem-solving skills.

With over 9+ years of experience as a Registered Nurse RN in the Operating Room setting in Singapore, there are several alternative roles to consider. Here are following options for you:

• Nurse Educator: Utilize your expertise to train and educate aspiring nurses, providing guidance and mentorship in their professional development.
• Clinical Research Coordinator: Transition into a role that involves managing and coordinating clinical trials, ensuring compliance, collecting data, and supporting research efforts.
• Quality Improvement Specialist: Apply your knowledge and experience to improve patient care and outcomes by analyzing processes, identifying areas for improvement, and implementing quality initiatives.
• Healthcare Consultant: Use your extensive knowledge of healthcare systems and operations to provide consultation and guidance to healthcare organizations, helping them optimize their processes and improve patient care.

The registered nurse (RN) role in the operating room is projected to see significant growth in the Singaporean market. Based on a 10-year analysis, the job outlook for this position is positive, with an increasing demand for operating room nurses. The aging population and advancements in medical technology contribute to this growth. In the future, there will be numerous employment opportunities for registered nurses in the operating room field in Singapore. With the evolving healthcare landscape, this profession offers stability, job security, and a rewarding career for aspiring nurses.