Your guide to a career in perioperative nursing

Starting your career in perioperative nursing

For many, a career in nursing begins with a clear goal. Andrena's journey started this way, leading her directly into the operating theatre after qualifying.

Andrena shares, "When I qualified at 24, I started working in theatre full time as a junior band five nurse."

This shows you can move straight into this specialism. You don't need years of nursing experience, just a passion for this unique environment.

Scene 1 video: Scrub nurse

The scrub nurse works directly with the surgeon. They prepare the sterile instruments and environment and assist the surgical team throughout the procedure. They are experts in surgical procedures and sterility.

Step inside the theatre. This 360° video puts you at the heart of the action to see the scrub nurse role up close.

Pre-surgical safety count

Here, you're watching Abbie, a scrub nurse, who is "scrubbed in" and sterile. Abbie is assisted by Andrena, a circulating nurse, who is not sterile but can move around the theatre. They are performing the first official instrument count.

This process is essential to make sure that every single item, from surgical tools to swabs, is accounted for before the surgery begins. The circulating nurse reads from a checklist, and the scrub nurse confirms that each item is present on a sterile trolley.

Leaving no room for error

You'll also notice other safety checks taking place. The nurses confirm the expiry dates on sterile supplies like syringes and pens. They also count every single swab together. This meticulous count is repeated after the surgery to guarantee that nothing is accidentally left inside the patient. Once the count is confirmed as correct, the team is ready for the patient to enter the theatre.

Scene 2 video: Anaesthetic nurse

The anaesthetic nurse supports the anaesthetist. They help prepare specialist equipment and medications and monitor the patient's wellbeing from the start of anaesthesia until they are transferred to recovery.

See the role for yourself. Get a 360° view from the anaesthetic nurse's perspective and understand the vital equipment they manage.

The patient safety checklist

Here, you're seeing the final checks that must be done to make sure everything is correct before surgery. The anaesthetic nurse's first job is to build rapport with the patient, helping them to feel calm and safe. This conversation is a vital part of patient safety.

Elaine methodically works through an official checklist. A key part of this is confirming the 3 rights:

• Right patient—Verifying the patient's name and date of birth against their wristband.
• Right procedure—Asking the patient in their own words what operation they're having.
• Right site—Confirming which part of the body is being operated on and that it has been marked by the surgeon.

Health checks for safe anaesthesia

The anaesthetic nurse also asks a series of important questions about the patient's health and preparation. This includes checking for allergies and confirming when the patient last ate or drank. Elaine also asks about any previous surgeries, implants, or medical conditions.

This information helps Elaine to get a complete and accurate picture of the patient's health. With the checklist successfully completed, she can be confident that it's safe to take the patient through to the operating theatre.

Scene 3 video: Teamwork in action

Perioperative nursing is all about teamwork. The scrub, anaesthetic, and circulating nurses have distinct roles, but they work together in constant communication. This collaboration supports a seamless and safe journey for the patient through the operating theatre.

Experience the teamwork first-hand. Get a 360° view of how the full nursing team communicates and collaborates to prepare the patient safely for their procedure.

The surgical pause

The team's priority is to make Jane, the patient, feel safe and reassured. The anaesthetic nurse connects the patient to the monitoring equipment while the circulating nurse provides comfort and explains what's happening.

This leads to the most important step: the surgical pause, also known as a 'time out'. This is a mandatory safety check during which the entire team—including the scrub nurse, circulating nurse, and anaesthetic nurse—stops everything. They then confirm a final set of details out loud.

Final team verification

During the pause, the team confirms these critical points together:

• Correct patient identity—name, date of birth.
• Correct procedure—left carpal tunnel release.
• Correct surgical site—confirming the arm has been marked.
• Valid patient consent—patient signatures on the consent form.
• Key safety information—like allergies.

This final verification checks that everyone agrees and has the same information before the surgery starts. It's a vital moment of teamwork that prevents errors and protects the patient.