What do the responsibilities of the circulating nurse include?

Circulating nurses are the backbone of any hospital. They’re responsible for ensuring that all patients receive the care they need, when they need it. This includes everything from administering medication to changing bandages to helping with physical therapy exercises.

Circulating nurses may also be called upon to provide general support to other medical professionals. For example, they might help doctors and surgeons perform procedures or surgeries by holding instruments or passing tools as needed.

Circulating Nurse Job Duties

A circulating nurse typically has a wide range of responsibilities, which can include:

  • Observing patients for signs of pain, fatigue, anxiety, or other emotional distress that may indicate a need for intervention
  • Reporting patient information such as symptoms or changes in condition to physicians and other healthcare professionals
  • Preparing patients for examinations and procedures by assisting them with removing clothes and applying drapes and gowns
  • Preparing medical instruments for use during examinations and procedures
  • Assisting in the administration of medications and treatments prescribed by physicians
  • Observing patients for signs of illness or infection and reporting them to the physician or nurse supervisor
  • Maintaining accurate records of patient care activities, including vital signs and nurse’s notes
  • Performing diagnostic tests such as taking blood samples or urine specimens
  • Providing emotional support to patients and families by listening to their concerns and offering advice

Circulating Nurse Salary & Outlook

Circulating nurse salaries vary depending on their level of education and experience, the size of the hospital or medical facility they work in, and the geographic location of their job.

  • Median Annual Salary: $72,500 ($34.86/hour)
  • Top 10% Annual Salary: $375,000 ($180.29/hour)

The employment of circulating nurses is expected to grow faster than average over the next decade.

Demand for healthcare services will increase as the large baby-boom population ages and people continue to live longer. As these individuals require more medical care, demand for circulating nurses is expected to grow.

Circulating Nurse Job Requirements

A circulating nurse candidate needs to satisfy several requirements for the position, including:

Education: All employers require nurses to have at least a bachelor’s degree. Some employers prefer nurses to have a master’s degree.

Nurses can earn a degree in nursing, nursing administration, nursing informatics or another nursing-related field. These programs typically take four years to complete and include courses in anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, psychology, statistics and more.

Training & Experience: Circulating nurses receive on-the-job training from their new employer. This training may include learning the hospital’s policies and procedures, the layout of the facility and the equipment and supplies used.

Certifications & Licenses: Circulating nurses must be licensed in the state in which they plan to work. Each state has different requirements for becoming licensed, so circulating nurses should review the requirements in their state before applying for licensure.

Circulating Nurse Skills

Circulating nurses need the following skills in order to be successful:

Communication: Communication is another skill that circulating nurses use on the job. They often communicate with patients, other medical staff and patients’ families. They also use communication skills to explain medical procedures and answer patients’ questions.

Empathy: Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. Circulating nurses often use empathy to help patients feel more comfortable and relaxed. For example, if a patient is nervous about a procedure, a circulating nurse might use empathy to help the patient feel more comfortable.

Organization: Circulating nurses often have to manage multiple tasks at once, so it’s important for them to be organized. This can help them prioritize their tasks and ensure they complete them in a timely manner. Circulating nurses should also be able to keep track of patient information and other important documents.

Time management: Circulating nurses often have several patients to care for at the same time. Having good time management skills can help you prioritize your tasks and ensure you meet the needs of all your patients. Circulating nurses often have to move between different patients throughout the day, so it’s important to be able to move between rooms and remember details about each patient.

Multitasking: Circulating nurses often have to perform multiple tasks at once. This can include checking on patients, updating patient files, filling out paperwork and communicating with other medical staff. Circulating nurses need to be able to multitask effectively to ensure they complete all their duties in a timely manner.

Circulating Nurse Work Environment

Circulating nurses work in the operating room (OR) of a hospital, medical center, or outpatient surgery center. They are responsible for ensuring that the OR is ready for surgery, that the patient is prepared for surgery, and that the surgical team has the supplies and equipment they need. Circulating nurses also monitor the patient’s vital signs during surgery and provide support to the surgical team. They work closely with the anesthesiologist to ensure that the patient remains safe and comfortable during surgery. Circulating nurses typically work a full-time schedule, but they may be required to work overtime or be on call to cover for colleagues who are sick or on vacation.

Here are three trends influencing how circulating nurses work. Circulating nurses will need to stay up-to-date on these developments to keep their skills relevant and maintain a competitive advantage in the workplace.

The Need for More Flexibility

The healthcare industry is changing rapidly, and one of the most significant changes is the increased demand for flexibility. This means that nurses will need to be able to work different shifts and be willing to relocate if necessary.

Circulating nurses are well-positioned to take advantage of this trend, as they are already used to working in a variety of settings and can adapt quickly to new situations. They also have experience working with a wide range of patients and understand the importance of providing excellent care.

Patient Safety Concerns

As patient safety concerns continue to grow, hospitals are looking for ways to improve their processes. One way that they are doing this is by hiring circulating nurses, who are responsible for helping to ensure that all procedures are being done safely and correctly.

By becoming a circulating nurse, you can help to ensure that hospitals are operating safely and efficiently. In addition, you will gain valuable experience that can be applied to other areas of nursing.

More Collaboration Between Nurses and Physicians

As physicians become more involved in patient care, nurses are increasingly required to collaborate with them. This trend is likely to continue as physicians become more comfortable with taking on more responsibility for patient care.

As nurses are called upon to collaborate with physicians, they will need to learn how to work together effectively in order to provide the best possible care for patients.

How to Become a Circulating Nurse

Circulating nurses have a lot of options when it comes to their career path. They can specialize in a certain area, such as oncology or emergency nursing, or they can choose to work in different settings, such as hospitals, clinics, or home care.

No matter what direction they choose, circulating nurses should keep up with the latest trends in their field and continue their education by taking courses or attending workshops. They should also stay connected with other nurses by joining professional organizations and participating in online forums.

Related: How to Write a Circulating Nurse Resume

Advancement Prospects

Circulating nurses may advance to positions such as head nurse, charge nurse, or nurse manager. Some may also become educators or researchers. With additional education and training, some circulating nurses may become nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, or nurse practitioners.

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Before an operation

  • Checks all equipment for proper functioning such as cautery machine, suction machine, OR light and OR table
  • Make sure theater is clean
  • Arrange furniture according to use
  • Place a clean sheet, arm board (arm strap) and a pillow on the OR table
  • Provide a clean kick bucket and pail
  • Collect necessary stock and equipment
  • Turn on aircon unit
  • Help scrub nurse with setting up the theater
  • Assist with counts and records

During the Induction of Anesthesia

  • Turn on OR light
  • Assist the anesthesiologist in positioning the patient
  • Assist the patient in assuming the position for anesthesia
  • Anticipate the anesthesiologist’s needs
  • If spinal anesthesia is contemplated:

Place the patient in quasi fetal position and provide pillow Perform lumbar preparation aseptically

Anticipate anesthesiologist’s needs

After the patient is anesthetized

  • Reposition the patient per anesthesiologist’s instruction
  • Attached anesthesia screen and place the patient’s arm on the arm boards
  • Apply restraints on the patient
  • Expose the area for skin preparation
  • Catheterize the patient as indicated by the anesthesiologist
  • Perform skin preparation

During Operation

  • Remain in theater throughout operation
  • Focus the OR light every now and then
  • Connect diatherapy, suction, etc.
  • Position kick buckets on the operating side
  • Replenishes and records sponge/ sutures
  • Ensure the theater door remain closed and patient’ s dignity is upheld
  • Watch out for any break in aseptic technique

End of Operation

  • Assist with final sponge and instruments count
  • Signs the theater register
  • Ensures specimen are properly labeled and signed

After an Operation

  • Hands dressing to the scrub nurse
  • Helps remove and dispose of drapes
  • Helps to prepare the patient for the recovery room
  • Assist the scrub nurse, taking the instrumentations to the service (washroom)
  • Ensures that the theater is ready for the next case

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