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 in the Operating Room with 0-3 years of experience in the AE, your main responsibilities include:

• Assisting surgeons and other medical professionals during surgical procedures, ensuring the operating room is prepared and sterile.
• Monitoring patients' vital signs and providing necessary support before, during, and after surgery.
• Handling and sterilizing surgical instruments and equipment, as well as managing inventory.
• Collaborating with the healthcare team to ensure patient safety and optimal surgical outcomes.

The role of an Operating Room Registered Nurse RN with 0-3 years of experience is crucial in ensuring the smooth functioning of the AE. For individuals in this role, there are several alternative positions worth exploring. Here are four options to consider:

• Surgical Technologist: A role that involves assisting surgeons and nurses during surgical procedures, ensuring the operating room is prepared and sterile, and managing surgical equipment.
• Clinical Research Coordinator: A position focused on coordinating and managing clinical research studies, including patient recruitment, data collection, and regulatory compliance.
• Nurse Educator: A role that involves training and educating other nurses, providing instruction on best practices and new techniques in the operating room.
• Quality Improvement Coordinator: A position focused on analyzing and improving the quality of patient care within the operating room, implementing protocols and processes to enhance outcomes and safety.

The projected growth of the Registered Nurse (RN) role in the Operating Room in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is expected to be positive in the coming years. According to a 10-year analysis of the job role, employment opportunities for RNs in the Operating Room are likely to increase significantly. With the rising demand for healthcare services in the UAE, the need for skilled operating room nurses is on the rise. Furthermore, as per the latest data points available with Google, there is a consistent increase in job postings and recruitment for this position, indicating a promising future for Registered Nurses in the Operating Room in the UAE.