Define Scrub Nurse

Scrub nurses work in and around the operative field.

Nurses can take on many different roles in medical offices and hospitals. Scrub nurses are just one of several different nursing roles in a hospital setting. Scrub nurses are involved in the day-to-day activities of an operating room and play an important role in assisting doctors and surgeons.

Function

The formal name for scrub nurses is perioperative nurses. Perioperative nurses assist in the operating room and are responsible for providing patient care before and after surgery as well as during the operation. Scrub nurses have to scrub in prior to surgery, requiring sterile garments and special soaps because they conduct many of their basic functions in and around the operative field.

Duties

Scrub nurses receive special training that allows them to work with the medical team in an operating room. The primary duty of a scrub nurse is to provide assistance in the operating room. Scrub nurses prepare and maintain a sterile environment for each surgery by preparing the environment and all necessary instruments. Scrub nurses must understand the function of each surgical tool so that they can pass the appropriate tools to the surgeon during the surgical process. They also assist in labor and delivery during cesarean sections, conducting similar duties as in other surgical situations.

Circulating Nursing

Another type of scrub nurse is the circulating nurse, a surgical nurse who circulates through the operating room, monitoring each procedure. The circulating nurse is more of a patient advocate than a surgeon's advocate, keeping the operating room conditions sterile and safe for the safety of the patient. Circulating nurses may also perform tasks such as setting up the operating room before the procedure and doing paperwork pertaining to the surgery.

Education Requirements

Scrub nurses are registered nurses, or RNs, who have to obtain an associate degree, bachelor's degree or an approved diploma from an accredited nursing program. Nurses must obtain a national licensing exam in order to receive a nursing license. Further certifications are obtainable, including master's degrees in nursing for more advanced positions such as scrub nursing positions.

Training

Beyond the basic education that nurses require to obtain licensure, additional training is required for aspiring scrub nurses. They must obtain training in the operating room to become accustomed to the tools and practices that are unique to the operating room. Because scrub nurses work in and around the surgical field, specialized training is required to prepare them for the challenges that they will face.

References

• Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses: Roles of the Perioperative Nurse
• Nurses Source: Peroperative Nurse