How to become a perioperative nurse

Perioperative nurses provide comprehensive care to patients undergoing procedures. This rewarding role involves supporting patients before, during and after their procedure making sure they are safe at each stage of the experience. Australia currently employs around 26,700 perioperative nurses, with strong job security and a projected 13.9 per cent growth over the next five years.

In this article, we’ll cover the typical responsibilities of perioperative nurses, the various roles they can adopt in a surgical setting and the average salary expectations in Australia. We’ll also cover some essential skills these nurses need and how you can get started in this fulfilling nursing field.

What is perioperative nursing?

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Perioperative nursing is a specialised field of nursing that involves caring for patients throughout the entire surgical process, from pre-operative to post-operative stages. Nurses in these roles take a person-centred approach. This means nurses always have the needs of the patient at the forefront of their minds, ensuring their safety is maintained in the operating theatre environment.

Perioperative nurses are registered nurses who typically work in public and private hospitals, day hospitals, surgical centres and outpatient clinics. They can oversee and support patients of all ages in various specialties who are undergoing any procedure. A perioperative nurse is also sometimes referred to broadly as a surgical nurse or a theatre nurse.

These nurses may care for patients undergoing an elective procedure such as a joint replacement, emergency surgery such as an appendectomy or patients undergoing an endoscopy at an outpatient clinic.

What does a perioperative nurse do?

The typical responsibilities of perioperative nurses include:

• Assessing each patient’s needs, creating an appropriate care plan and ensuring they receive safe, high-quality nursing care based on best practices
• Collaborating with doctors and other healthcare professionals to coordinate care and support for patients
• Supporting surgeons, anaesthetists and other surgical staff if necessary while closely monitoring the patients’ wellbeing and safety throughout the entire operative process
• Answering questions, communicating clearly and providing helpful, reassuring information about treatments, recovery and care protocols
• Supervising enrolled nurses and other healthcare workers to ensure consistent, excellent care for patients from all team members

3 phases of perioperative nursing

The details of what a perioperative nurse does can be categorised into three phases:

Pre-operative care: Nurses work with patients, assess their needs and provide education to them and their families about the procedure. They’ll also help admit and prepare patients for their procedure and provide post-operative care.

Intra-operative care: Nurses monitor patients throughout their procedure. They may also perform related surgical tasks, such as assisting surgeons, maintaining a sterile environment, supporting anaesthetists with anaesthesia management and assisting with surgical instruments.

Post-operative care: Nurses continue to monitor patients as they recover from anaesthesia, while managing pain and providing support during the immediate stage following their procedure.

6 steps to becoming a perioperative nurse

1. Consider if this is the right career path for you
   Thinking about becoming a perioperative nurse is an exciting step toward a specialised and meaningful role in healthcare. Perioperative nursing is a field that offers the unique reward of supporting patients through an important experience – a procedure.

   It helps to consider the time investment required to become a nurse to determine whether perioperative nursing is a path you’d like to pursue. It may take between three and five years to become a qualified nurse, build your clinical experience and optionally pursue postgraduate study to advance your knowledge and skill set.

   You should also reflect on the skills you’ll need for success and your own career goals as a nurse. If you have a patient-centred framework as a nurse, are detail-oriented, compassionate and thrive in the dynamic theatre environment, this could be an ideal nursing path for you.

2. Complete your nursing degree
   The next step toward becoming a perioperative nurse is to complete your nursing degree. There are many pathways available depending on your background, experience or previous qualifications. The most common pathway is to complete a bachelor’s degree in nursing, which paves the way to becoming a registered nurse. Most bachelor’s nursing degrees take around three years to complete full-time..

   If you have a prior degree in another field, many universities provide fast-track pathways into nursing with a graduate entry Master of Nursing program. This option usually takes around two years to complete full-time.

3. Obtain your nursing registration
   Once you’ve completed your studies to become a registered nurse, you’ll need to apply for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA), which you’ll need to renew each year.

   If you hold a nursing degree from overseas, you may be eligible to become a registered nurse in Australia, depending on how your qualifications align with Australian standards. The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) assesses international qualifications and may recognise your degree as equivalent.

   If your qualification doesn’t automatically meet the required accreditation standards, the NMBA offers alternative pathways that can help you become registered as a nurse in Australia.

4. Gain perioperative nursing experience
   Gaining direct experience is crucial for building a solid foundation in the specialised field of perioperative nursing. Working directly in surgical settings allows you to understand the unique demands of caring for patients before, during and after their procedure, while you enhance your clinical nursing skills assisting surgeons and maintaining sterility in theatre.

   Your experience may also provide a competitive edge in the job market for future perioperative nursing roles. Employers highly value nurses with direct perioperative experience, as it shows you're prepared for the detail-oriented nature of surgical care and have experience in patient advocacy.

   You may wish to rotate through different perioperative roles, such as a circulating nurse or recovery nurse so you can expand the breadth of your nursing experience, understanding the nature of the different yet overlapping roles in surgical care. You might discover hidden strengths, interests and decide whether a long-term career in perioperative nursing is the right path for you.

5. Complete a postgraduate degree
   While postgraduate study in perioperative nursing is not a mandatory requirement to work in the field, it can be incredibly valuable if you're aiming to excel in this specialised and rewarding area of nursing. Further study helps deepen your clinical knowledge and enhances your ability to respond to the complex needs of surgical patients throughout the perioperative journey.

   Many postgraduate courses in perioperative nursing require one year of experience or current employment, while some courses require both as an entry requirement. Check with the university to ensure you meet the enrolment criteria for your specific perioperative course.

   There are a range of courses you may consider to upskill as a perioperative nurse. For example, Deakin University’s Master of Advanced Clinical Nursing (Perioperative) is designed for registered nurses looking to specialise in perioperative care. This course has a theoretical and practical component, preparing you for roles such as instrument nurse, circulating nurse or day surgery nurse. You’ll build an evidence-based practice with strong critical assessment skills and knowledge of advocating for patient safety in the perioperative environment.

   The Australian College of Nursing’s Graduate Certificate in Perioperative Nursing delivers valuable clinical skills relevant to perioperative nursing roles. This course provides specialty elective units applicable to circulating, instrument, anaesthetic and PACU nursing roles.

   Australian Catholic University's Graduate Certificate in Clinical Nursing (Perioperative Nursing) equips nurses with an understanding of operating theatre settings via a person-and-family-centred lens. You’ll gain advanced critical thinking skills and develop your holistic approach to patient care.

   Want to discover more perioperative courses? Browse the range of courses available here.

6. Apply for perioperative nursing jobs
   If you're already working in a perioperative or surgical care setting, you may be able to leverage your current experience to advance into future roles. You can also explore your professional nursing network, whether it’s through peers, mentors or immediate colleagues to find out about local or new job opportunities.

   You can also search for perioperative nursing roles on job boards like SEEK and Indeed, through nursing agencies or via government health departments. Consider joining the Australian College of Perioperative Nurses (ACORN), which is Australia’s peak body for perioperative nursing. They have job listings, resources and development opportunities relevant to perioperative nurses.

Perioperative nursing roles

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Outlined below are several specialised roles that perioperative nurses can fulfil.

Holding bay nurse

These nurses receive patients, gather their important medical information and prepare them for their procedure or surgery. They are similar to admissions nurses and predominantly work in the pre-operative area of a hospital or medical facility, admitting patients and providing initial care to them prior to their procedure.

Day surgery nurse

A day surgery nurse works in day surgery facilities, caring for patients who are undergoing procedures that don’t require an overnight hospital stay. These nurses are responsible for patient admissions, preparing patients for procedures and can also assist in procedures as well as patient recovery. They help ensure patients are informed and safe throughout their procedure or surgery and handle the discharge process on the same day.

Anaesthetic nurse

An anaesthetic nurse supports the anaesthetist with preparing the patient, helps out in the operating environment and may also administer anaesthetic to the patient for procedures. They help ensure the patient’s safety and comfort while closely monitoring their vital signs. This position can be performed by a perioperative nurse, however some anaesthetic nurses may have additional qualifications to work in this specialised role.

Have you thought about a specialised role as an anaesthetic nurse?

Deakin University offers postgraduate courses in perinaesthesia nursing which can equip you with the knowledge to excel as an anaesthetic nurse. Find details on their graduate certificate and master’s degree for nurses here.

Scout nurse

A scout nurse is the common name for a circulating nurse. They are an important member of the surgical team as they help to coordinate the operating room. Circulating nurses ensure everything runs smoothly and safely, implementing the nursing care plan and advocating for patient needs and keeping a close eye on the entire process.

Scrub nurse

A scrub nurse is also known as an instrument nurse. These nurses are responsible for performing a surgical scrub, donning sterile gown and gloves and maintaining strict aseptic techniques throughout the procedure. Instrument nurses select and pass surgical instruments and supplies to the surgeon as requested, keeping an accurate account of all items used.

Do you want to develop your technical skills in theatre environments?

There are a range of postgraduate courses in surgical and intraoperative nursing to expand your skill set in the operating environment. These courses include graduate certificates for a foundational understanding, graduate diplomas that provide deeper knowledge and skills and master’s degrees for comprehensive knowledge in these nursing disciplines.

Post-anaesthesia care unit (PACU) nurse

A PACU nurse is sometimes called a recovery nurse. These nurses receive the patient after a procedure in the recovery unit. They closely monitor and assess the patient as they recover from anaesthetic while managing pain levels, intravenous lines and drainage tubes as necessary.

Perioperative nursing can expand into other senior and advanced nursing roles. These include nurse educator, nurse practitioner (perioperative), nurse researcher, nurse unit manager, perioperative services manager and perioperative nurse surgeon’s assistant.

Perioperative nurse salary

According to data from SEEK and Indeed, perioperative nursing salaries can vary between $80,000 and $100,000 annually. A perioperative nurse’s salary can also vary depending on experience and location.

Here are the average annual salaries for perioperative nurses across each Australian state and territory:

• Northern Territory: $107,000
• Western Australia: $86,000
• Australian Capital Territory: $84,000
• South Australia: $83,000
• New South Wales: $75,000
• Victoria: $75,000
• Queensland: $71,000
• Tasmania: $70,000

Is perioperative nursing a stressful job?

Yes, perioperative nursing can sometimes be a stressful job. In this role, situations can change rapidly and nurses need to be prepared to respond quickly and effectively. There are long work hours, complexity of tasks, intense concentration requirements and depending on the specific setting, unpredictability regarding patient load and procedure needs. There are clear physical and emotional demands built into the perioperative role.

Perioperative nurses are expected to make fast, accurate clinical decisions while maintaining composure with the patient’s needs in mind. Some decisions these nurses make can be critical and even life-saving. In some situations, a procedure may not have the desired outcome for patients. Over time, continued exposure to such patient cases may lead to stress and emotional burnout.

A study involving 233 perioperative nurses explored their various work experiences to determine how often they were exposed to traumatic events in their role. The findings showed that 69 per cent of respondents reported exposure to traumatic events, with many indicating that these experiences had a significant impact on their overall wellbeing.

Being confronted with stressful situations, high-pressure environments and in some cases, surgeries that don’t go as planned are part and parcel of a perioperative nurses role. While this may seem like a challenging component of the role, some nurses thrive in these fast-paced environments. Perioperative nursing affords ample opportunities to learn new skills, grow professionally and develop as a nurse.

Rewarding aspects of perioperative nursing

The value of continuity of care

Despite the intense nature of the work, perioperative nursing can be deeply rewarding. One important advantage is the opportunity to offer patients genuine continuity of care. From pre-operative assessment through to post-operative recovery, perioperative nurses are involved in every phase of the surgical journey.

This allows nurses to provide truly holistic care, considering the patient’s physical, emotional and psychological wellbeing. These nurses are uniquely skilled at seeing the bigger picture and understand how their immediate decisions have rippling impacts on the patients wellbeing, both in the moment, in recovery and for their future health.

The career growth opportunity for nurses

This role offers a sense of purpose and fulfilment that is unlike other nursing specialties. There is a ‘readiness’ to work with the changing needs of your environment that perioperative nurses must possess, which can be strengthened by additional training as well as with practical experience. The blending of technical and teamwork skills with compassionate, patient-centred care helps define perioperative nursing as a complex and highly regarded specialisation in healthcare.

Ultimately, perioperative nurses bridge the gap between the surgeon, the procedure and the patient. They understand deeply that in the operating room, there is a person on the receiving end of the procedure. Their job is to guide them and be there for them right throughout the experience, which is why perioperative nursing can be an immensely rewarding career path.

Essential perioperative nursing skills

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In order to thrive in these roles, perioperative nurses should have the following qualities:

Strong organisation: Perioperative nurses balance many responsibilities at the same time involving both the patient and the surgical team. Being highly organised helps streamline clinical processes, reduces the risk of errors and ensures patient needs are met.

Excellent communication: Clear and effective communication with surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses, patients and their families is essential. Effective communication builds trust between you and the patient and ensures you can collaborate effectively with the entire surgical team.

Compassionate mindset: A procedure can be a stressful and emotional experience for patients. In these roles, displaying compassion helps you connect with the patient while you answer their questions related to their procedure while delivering care with kindness and dignity.

Clinical proficiency: A deep understanding of surgical procedures, sterile techniques and protocols are essential as a perioperative nurse. Strong clinical expertise ensures safe, high-quality care throughout the perioperative journey.

Adaptability: Every procedure, patient and team you work in can vary. Circumstances around you can change rapidly at any phase of the admission, operative and post-operative process. You’ll need to be adaptable to new situations or developing patient needs as they evolve.

Sufficient stamina: Long shifts, hours on your feet and high-pressure environments are part of the role for perioperative nurses. Building both physical and emotional endurance helps you stay sharp and focused, especially for longer surgeries.

Passion for patient advocacy: Perioperative nurses are the patient's voice when they can't speak for themselves. Advocating for their safety, dignity and overall needs is your responsibility and a core component of this role.

Merge your patient care and clinical skills as a perioperative nurse

A career in perioperative nursing offers a unique opportunity to support patients during their experience of a procedure. You can play an important role in supporting them during an important and vulnerable time.

Advancing your knowledge in perioperative nursing equips you with specialised skills to ensure patient safety and wellbeing, support surgical teams and the confidence to manage complex clinical situations in the evolving operating theatre environment. If you’re interested in pursuing further study to prepare for this dynamic nursing role, browse the perioperative nursing courses in our catalogue, select a course and enquire to speak with a Student Enrolment Advisor.

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