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 3-6 years of experience in the Operating Room in an acute care setting, your main responsibilities include:

• Assisting surgeons during surgical procedures, ensuring the proper handling of surgical instruments and equipment.Provide sterile supplies and maintain a sterile field during surgery.
• Preparing patients for surgery, including verifying patient information, starting IV lines, and administering medications as needed.Monitor patient vital signs and anesthesia administration during surgery.
• Collaborating with the surgical team to ensure patient safety and surgical site integrity.Communicate effectively with team members to ensure smooth workflow and patient care.
• Documenting patient information, surgical procedures, and post-operative care accurately and thoroughly.

The role of an Operating Room Registered Nurse RN with 3-6 years of experience in the United Arab Emirates is crucial for providing quality patient care during surgical procedures. If you are looking for alternative roles within the healthcare industry, here are four options to consider:

• Nurse Educator: A position that involves training and educating aspiring nurses, as well as providing ongoing education for current nursing staff.
• Clinical Research Coordinator: A role focused on managing and coordinating clinical trials and research studies, ensuring compliance with protocols and regulations.
• Quality Improvement Specialist: A position dedicated to improving patient outcomes and healthcare processes by analyzing data, implementing quality initiatives, and monitoring performance metrics.
• Nurse Case Manager: A role that involves coordinating patient care, collaborating with healthcare providers, and ensuring effective communication between patients, families, and the healthcare team.

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.