Becoming a circulating nurse is like being an athletic coach. The circulating nurse makes sure that everyone collaborates as a team from pre-op to post-op. This position requires close attention to detail and a strong desire to advocate for patients. Serving as a champion for the surgical patient is one of a circulating nurse’s top priorities. Repositioning the patient, calming the family’s anxiety, and notifying the surgical team if anything has moved outside of the sterile field may all be necessary in this situation.
An essential member of the surgical team in an operating room is a circulating nurse. He prepares the operating room and inventories the available supplies and equipment. Problem-solving is a regular duty of a circulating nurse. Equipment must be checked and double-checked. The circulating nurse finds a fix if something is broken or not in working order. The circulating nurse engages with the patient prior to surgery and acts as a patient protector while the procedure is being done. Prior to surgery, a patient’s condition must be evaluated to ensure that all necessary preparations have been made. The circulating nurse observes the procedure and makes sure that no detail of the patient’s care is overlooked while acting as a patient advocate and safety monitor. She researches data as well and acts quickly when something goes wrong. The circulating nurse confirms who will drive the patient home after an outpatient procedure and who should be informed of the patient’s progress.
Getting a registered nursing degree is the first step to becoming a circulating nurse. This program provides in-depth knowledge of general nursing practices. Anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, mental health, pathophysiology, and evaluation of health and illness are just a few of the courses you’ll take. Clinical and practical experience provide hands-on learning. After becoming certified, the road to a position as a circulating nurse includes work in critical care, emergency medicine, or a surgical unit. A specialized training program and a certification exam are the final steps. To take this exam, you must have 2400 hours of perioperative experience and work in a surgical unit.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, circulating nurses made an average annual salary of $70,000 in 2016. Accordingly, half of registered nurses made more money than the other half. The hourly rate was $33. 65, but working nights can increase your pay by up to $3 an hour. Working overtime also increases pay.
Starting out as a general nurse and later specializing is not uncommon. Many healthcare facilities provide existing nurses with perioperative nursing courses to give them the training they need for circulating nurse responsibilities. A pathway to becoming a circulating nurse is having experience in critical care, emergency room, or post-surgery nursing. Experienced circulating nurses can choose their shift, work overtime, and take on extra responsibilities.
Dr. Kelly Meier obtained a doctorate in educational leadership from Minnesota State Mankato. She is the author or co-author of 12 books on teamwork, diversity, and customer service. She acts as a consultant for businesses, industries, and institutions of higher learning. Dr. Meier has authored books and business articles for Dynateam Consulting, Inc. and Talico, Inc. and Kinect Education Group.
Circulator | Nurse Life
What does a circulator nurse do?
In a hospital setting, circulator nurses may play a variety of roles according to the requirements of the medical staff. Here are some examples of their job responsibilities:
What is a circulator nurse?
A registered nurse who assists surgeons and other medical professionals during surgical procedures is known as a circulator nurse. They perform their duties outside of the operating room’s sterile field by maintaining a clean and sterile environment, getting ready for procedures, documenting what happens during surgery, keeping an eye on the surgical team and equipment, and managing the delivery of samples and specimens.
What skills do circulator nurses need?
To do their jobs well, circulator nurses need to be knowledgeable in both administration and medicine. The following are typical abilities circulator nurses need to carry out their daily duties:
Patient advocacy
You have a responsibility as a circulator nurse to speak up for the patient, particularly if they are having surgery while they are sedated. This is why circulator nurses need to be proficient in patient advocacy.
A circulator nurse observing a surgical procedure, for instance, observes that a patient does not have enough anesthesia to remain unconscious for the entire duration of the procedure. They tell the anesthesiologist to give the patient another dose of anesthetic.
Positivity
It’s crucial for circulator nurses to be upbeat because they frequently interact with patients both before and after surgery. Their attitudes and general demeanor may have an impact on the patient’s level of comfort prior to surgery or their outlook on recovery following the procedure.
By emphasizing the benefits of the patient’s upcoming procedure, for instance, a circulator nurse can allay patient anxiety. Additionally, they reassure the patient that they will be there throughout the procedure to ensure their safety.
Interpersonal communication
Effective communication between different groups of people is achieved through interpersonal communication. Circulator nurses must be able to adapt their language and communication styles to the various audiences they regularly interact with, including surgeons, charge nurses, patients, and hospital staff in charge of purchasing medical supplies.
For instance: A circulator nurse consults a surgeon to determine the instruments, supplies, and medications required to perform knee surgery. A supply technician is consulted by the circulator nurse to ensure there are sufficient supplies for the procedure at the end of the week.
Health assessment
The ability to monitor a patient’s vital signs, such as heart rate and blood pressure, is known as health assessment. Before surgery, circulatory nurses may review a patient’s medical history and take their vital signs. This is significant because it aids in deciding whether or not the patient is surgically fit. Health evaluations are another tool circulator nurses use to track a patient’s recovery from surgery.
A circulator nurse, for instance, authorizes a patient for surgery after they exhibit typical vital signs.
Data-recording
Since a large part of circulator nurses’ work involves documenting every detail prior to, during, and following surgery, data recording skills are essential.
A circulator nurse, for instance, will spend the entirety of a surgical procedure taking a patient’s vital signs, noting the time of each significant action, and listing the names of the surgical staff members who carried out those actions.
Detail-orientation
To accurately record the events that take place during a procedure, circulator nurses must have a keen attention to detail. Additionally, they must be able to identify any potential surgical staff errors so that they can take corrective action.
As a patient’s blood pressure starts to drop, a circulator nurse might advise surgeons to stop their procedure and begin another blood transfusion.
Average salary for circulator nurses
There are several ways to train as a circulator nurse. Here is a step-by-step process to help you choose what is best for you:
1. Choose a nursing degree to pursue
You must first obtain a degree that enables you to practice as a registered nurse before you can work as a circulator nurse. A two-year associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) or a four-year bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) are your two degree options. Both degrees enhance your ability to work in a healthcare environment and make you eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam to become a certified registered nurse.
The only distinction is that a BSN in nursing offers more comprehensive training in nursing specialties like labor and delivery or the intensive care unit, and it may also help you become eligible for leadership positions at your place of employment.
2. Take and pass the NCLEX-RN exam
The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) offers the NCLEX-RN exam, which must be taken after receiving your degree. If you pass this exam, your state will recognize you as a registered nurse.
3. Complete entry-level work as a registered nurse
You must have prior experience working as a registered nurse in a hospital or healthcare facility in order to be eligible for a circulator nurse position. To expand your skill set and learn how to perform well in high-stress environments, think about applying to work as an emergency room, post-surgery, or critical care nurse.
4. Obtain nursing certification(s)
It is optional to obtain pertinent industry certifications, but doing so might improve your employability for a job as a circulator nurse. You can advance your career by obtaining any of the following certifications from the Competency and Credentialing Institute (CCI):
Participants receive in-depth knowledge in areas like emergency care, management, planning, and accountability through this certification.
In order to assist surgeons before, during, and after surgery, registered nurses can learn more about best practices through this certification.
With the help of this certification, registered nurses with a bachelor’s degree who have worked in operations management can learn more about how to supervise surgical procedures in a healthcare setting.
5. Apply for circulator nurse positions
You can begin applying for circulator nurse positions once you have obtained the required training, credentials, experience, and training. Use quantifiable language on your resume to emphasize your prior employment, such as “oversaw a team of 10 nursing professionals” or “recorded surgical proceedings for 115 surgeries.” “.
FAQ
What is a circulator nurse?
The circulating nurse acts as the mouthpiece for the patient. They keep an eye on the surgical team to ensure that all appropriate procedures are followed, and they give the team the tools they need. Prior to the patient entering the operating room, the circulating nurse will perform a portion of their duties.
Is a circulating nurse an RN?
A registered nurse (RN) who oversees the movement of patients and supplies in a surgical suite is known as a circulating nurse or an operating room nurse. They are in charge of making sure everything is prepared before operations. Their tasks include: Checking supplies and additional materials.
What is the difference between a scrub nurse and circulating nurse?
Scrub nurses work side by side with surgeons in sterile environments, passing instruments, sponges, and other supplies needed for surgery. Circulating nurse – works outside the sterile field.
Is it hard to be a circulating nurse?
It’s a high-energy discipline that calls for a solid grasp of both technical and interpersonal skills. Of course, it should be obvious that not everyone is suited for this kind of work. The stakes are high, it’s intense, and it requires a firm, unwavering resolve.
