perioperative nurse.

While your duties vary depending on the surgical procedure or intervention, some common tasks include:

• assessing patients before surgery: as a perioperative nurse, you assess patients admitted for a surgical procedure. Aside from measuring vital signs and checking diagnostic tests, you also review their medical history. For instance, you check for underlying medical conditions, history of surgeries, and allergies to anaesthesia and medication. You inform the surgical team of your findings to ensure the procedure is adjusted to the patient’s medical history.
• educating patients: as a perioperative nurse, you ensure patients and their families are well-informed about the surgical procedures. You educate patients on the pre-surgical procedures and post-operative care that will be provided. When completing the paperwork for surgeries, you also answer any questions from patients.
• assisting surgeons in the theatre: as a perioperative nurse, you assist surgeons in performing the procedures. For instance, you retrieve surgical instruments and hand them over to the surgeons. You also ensure the patient is stable throughout the procedure by keeping an eye on the vital signs.
• post-surgical care: as a perioperative nurse, you ensure the patient is recovering well after surgery. Your job is to ensure the patient’s airway passage is open and the vital signs are stable. You record the vital signs readings and observations and keep an eye on any post-surgery complications. It is your job to educate the family on pain management and long-term care post-surgery to avoid complications.
• cleaning medical equipment: as a perioperative nurse, you clean surgical instruments and dispose of the gloves and medical supplies used during surgery. You also clean and sterilise the surgical equipment and operating room to ensure it is clean and safe for the next procedure.

As a perioperative nurse, you work in surgical rooms but in diverse work settings. For instance, you work in hospitals, military bases, private clinics, and mining community centres where patients undergo surgery. Regardless of the healthcare facility you work for, you spend most of the day indoors, preparing patients for surgery in theatres and patient wards. You work in a fast-paced environment and are always on your feet.

Depending on your employer and the industry you work in, your colleagues might include general nurses, paediatric nurses and radiographers. You might also be working in close proximity to pharmacists and pharmacy assistants, as well as other specialists that could include, but not be limited to, surgeons, physicians and nursing assistants.

The typical work schedule of a perioperative nurse is 38 hours a week. Since you offer round-the-clock care, you work in rotational shifts. You can work early morning shifts or during the day, and sometimes, you work night shifts. You are likely to work during holidays and weekends during emergencies at the hospital. Aside from working full-time, part-time nursing positions are also available.

Working as a perioperative nurse is a promising career that offers numerous opportunities for career growth. In addition to progressing to higher roles like surgeon or doctor, you can specialise in other aspects of perioperative nursing. Some perioperative nurses become intensive or critical care nurses, while others become registered nurse first assistants.

Finding your perioperative nurse job through Randstad provides important advantages such as:
 

• a wide variety of training and development opportunities
• an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
• a range of opportunities in your area
• get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
• temporary and permanent contracts

Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as perioperative nurse is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Thousands of people earn a permanent contract every year with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too.

As a perioperative nurse, you prepare patients for surgeries by reviewing their medical histories and explaining the procedure. You also serve as a scrub nurse in the operating room, passing instruments and supplies to surgeons. You also provide post-surgical nursing care to prevent complications.

The perioperative period is divided into three stages. The first stage is pre-operative, which involves providing care before surgeries. The operative stage involves monitoring the vital signs of patients and assisting surgeons in the operating rooms. Post-operative nursing involves caring for patients after a surgical procedure.

If you want to become a perioperative nurse, you should complete the requirements of becoming a registered nurse. After two years of experience, you can pursue a graduate certificate in perioperative nursing to qualify for the role.

As a perioperative nurse, you work in a stressful environment. While you may have one patient at a time, you have numerous tasks to perform to ensure the surgery is a success.

As a perioperative nurse, you rely on critical thinking skills to solve any problems that arise. Empathy and communication skills also help you relate well with patients and explain the surgical procedures.

Applying for a perioperative nurse job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our job offers for vacancies in your area. Then send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here.