What is the Salary of a Scrub Nurse?
Scrub nurses, also referred to as operating room nurses, are highly trained, skilled professionals that provide assistance and support to physicians during the operative procedure. The term "scrub nurse" means that they are fully scrubbed with antibiotic soaps and sterile-gowned for active participation in the surgical event. They maintain medical records and provide both pre-op and post-operative patient care. Scrub nurses are licensed, registered nurses.
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Duties
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Surgical scrub nurses hand the surgeon instruments during the procedure and continuously monitors the patient's medical condition. A circulating scrub nurse monitors the operating room, keeping it sterile and clean. Circulating scrub nurses replenish supplies and assist as needed. Scrub nurses record patient vital signs and maintain medical records. Surgical scrub nurses perform care as directed by the physician and apply surgical dressings.
Entry Level Positions
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Scrub nurses gain experience working in out-patient surgery clinics and emergency rooms. Entry level, newly graduated registered nurses may be utilized as assistant surgical nurses while they pursue supportive certification. Candidates may also apply for an perioprerative internship position.
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Advance Secondary Education
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Many scrub nurses pursue additional secondary education to obtain a master's or doctorate degree. They often work as certified nurse anesthetists (CRNA). Certification as a nurse anesthetist requires a minium of two years experience in an intensive care, surgical or acute care nursing situation. CRNAs must be familiar with standardized practices, procedures and nursing concepts. They perform a variety of tasks both in and out of the operating room.
Salaries and Benefits
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MySalary.com reports that the 2011 national average income for registered scrub nurses that work as a first surgical assistant is $79,999. Nurses working in entry-level or secondary positions are included in the lowest ten percent and earn an annual income of $65,394. Registered scrub nurses in the top seventy-five percent earn $86,762 while the top ten percent have annual incomes of $93,920.
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References
Resources
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