There is one particular type of nurse at the RCH whose patients are always fast asleep.

Our team of perioperative nurses care for patients who are here for an operation. They work closely with surgeons, anaesthetists and theatre staff to care for patients before, during and after surgery.

These nurses are involved in elective and emergency surgeries for more than 10,000 children every year!

To mark Perioperative Nurses Week, we spoke with two of our staff, Laura, the Nurse Unit Manager for the operating suits, and Alicia, who spends her days in the operating theatre.

What does the role of a perioperative nurse entail?

Laura: I look after the Scrub/Scout nurses whose role it is to ensure patient and staff safety, assisting the surgeons, ensuring all required equipment is sterile and available, adhering to best practice standards and completing all documentation required for a patient.

What does a typical day look like?

Laura: I attend several meetings each day starting with the periop team huddle where we run through the patient lists for the day and any challenges for the department are discussed. Then it’s onto the RCH Huddle where a snapshot of hospital is given, then it’s tbhe daily bed meeting, several committees that I represent the periop team on such as national standards or workplace health and safety. I also have staff appointments for performance development, coaching sessions, follow-ups etc. Or in other words busy!

Alicia: For me, the day starts with a quick handover from the in-charge staff and the day begins in our allocated theatre. We work within a multidisciplinary team with anaesthesia and surgical staff. We plan our day around the order of patients and if there are any issues that need to be known. We have a full day of operating from 8:30am to 5:30pm.

Can you tell us about the type of patients you care for?

Alicia: We care for all sorts of patients who require surgery including neurololgy patients, orthopaedic patients, as well as patients who are here for general, urology, plastics, ENT (ear, nose and throat) surgery and ophthalmology. We also care for emergency trauma patients who can come in anytime.

What attracted you to nursing, and in particular this type of work?

Laura: I completed a theatre placement as an undergraduate student nurse and loved it!

Alicia: I always had a passion for helping people. I was attracted to perioperative nursing as it was a different type of nursing and a different way to help patients.

Do you have to have specialist training?

Laura: I completed a postgraduate certificate in peri-operative nursing in 2005. Most learning occurs on the job and having supportive education throughout rotating to all the specialty areas.

Alicia: Not necessarily. I was trained on-site by fellow nursing staff. I rotated through periop while I was completing my graduate nurse program.

What’s the most rewarding thing about working as a perioperative nurse?

Laura: Knowing we are delivering the highest level of care and advocacy for our patients when they are under an anaesthetic and making a difference to their lives and their families.

Alicia: The most rewarding part about working in perioperative nursing is knowing we are making a change to a patient’s life; we aim to improve their general wellbeing.

Is there a particular patient you’ve cared for who stands out for you?

Alicia: We don’t really get the opportunity to interact with our patients as they are asleep most of the time! However on the rare occasion we get the opportunity to operate on a patient who will be awake during their procedure. I never forget these type of procedures as it shows me how brave these young patients are.

How do you relax after a shift?

Laura: I enjoy spending with my family, going to the gym and dining out!

Alicia: I always enjoy a bit of retail therapy and social outings!

If you weren’t a nurse, what would you be doing instead?

Laura: I like to be organised so maybe an event planner!!

Alicia: I would probably have opened my own cafe and become a barista!

If you would like to support great care at the RCH, see www.rchfoundation.org.au