Scrub Nurse vs Circulating Nurse

In the operating room, circulating nurses are responsible for checking supplies and acquiring any needed materials for a surgery, helping patients change into appropriate clothing, and obtaining surgical consent forms from patients. During the surgery they may also hand instruments to the surgeon.

Here are the key differences between a scrub nurse and a circulating nurse:

• Scrub nurses directly assist a doctor during surgery

• Circulating nurses are more responsible for the environment being clean and assisting the patient pre-surgery and post surgery

• Circulating nurses may assist scrub nurses, but scrub nurses do not assist circulating nurses

• Scrub nurses monitor a patient's condition during surgery while circulating nurses do not

On the other hand, circulating nurses may also attain a CNOR certification, but their role has a broader focus on overall patient care and operating room management. They act as liaisons between the surgical team and the rest of the healthcare facility, ensuring that all protocols are strictly followed for patient safety.

Both scrub nurses and circulating nurses work in high-stress, fast-paced environments like operating rooms, emergency rooms, and delivery rooms. Scrub nurses, however, are more directly involved with the surgery itself and work very closely with surgeons. Circulating nurses also work in operating rooms, but spend more time interacting with patients and their families, explaining procedures, and providing reassurance.

• The scrub nurse's role is more focused on the technical aspects of surgery

• The circulating nurse's role involves managing the overall environment of the operating room

• Both roles require strong communication skills, but circulating nurses may interact more with patients and their families

• While both roles are demanding, they offer different challenges and rewards