Most nursing students spend their early clinical years on the general wards, mastering bed baths and medication rounds. But for those who crave adrenaline and precision, the real action happens behind the sterile double doors of the Operating Theatre.
In this edition of our Specialty Spotlight, we dive deep into the world of Perioperative Nursing. Is it the right path for you?
What is Perioperative Nursing?
Perioperative nursing involves the care of patients before, during, and after surgery. Unlike ward nursing, where you manage multiple patients at once, here the focus is laser-sharp on one patient at a time. It requires a unique blend of technical skill, anatomical knowledge, and nerves of steel.
Roles in the Theatre: Which One Are You?
Inside the LUTH theatres, you will typically find nurses in two critical roles. Understanding the difference is key to knowing where you fit in.
The Scrub Nurse
The Scrub Nurse is “in the zone.” You are sterile, standing right next to the surgeon.
- The Job: You prepare the instrument trolley, pass instruments to the surgeon (often before they even ask), and maintain the sterile field.
- The Vibe: You need to know the surgery steps as well as the doctor. If you love anatomy and hands-on work, this is for you.
The Circulating Nurse
The Circulating Nurse is the “manager” of the room. You are unsterile and free to move around.
- The Job: You manage documentation, open sterile packs, checking patient safety, and liaise with the anaesthetist.
- The Vibe: If you are a master organizer who notices every detail, the circulating role is your calling.
The Reality of Theatre Nursing at LUTH
It’s not always like Grey’s Anatomy. Working in a teaching hospital like LUTH comes with its unique challenges and rewards.
1. The Physical Demands
Surgeries can last anywhere from 30 minutes to 12 hours. You might be standing in one spot, under hot lights, without a bathroom break for hours. Comfortable footwear and compression stockings are not optional—they are survival gear.
2. The Communication Style
Theatre communication is direct and urgent. When a surgeon asks for a clamp during a bleed, there is no time for pleasantries. Students often mistake this urgency for rudeness, but it is simply the nature of high-stakes care.
How to Become a Perioperative Nurse
Interested in specializing? Here is the typical pathway after graduating from UNILAG:
- Internship: Complete your one-year internship.
- NYSC: Finish your service year.
- Post-Basic Training: Enroll in a Post-Basic Perioperative Nursing School (programs usually run for 12 months).
Conclusion: Is the Theatre for You?
If you love fast-paced environments, hate charting endlessly on wards, and have a strong stomach, Perioperative Nursing might just be your calling.
Next week, we explore Public Health Nursing—taking healthcare from the hospital to the community.
