Theatre Nurse
Supporting patients and surgical teams with precision, compassion, and expertise every step of the way
Highlighting the vital contributions of theatre nurses who work collaboratively to ensure safe, seamless, and patient-centered surgical care
Special feature by Susan Preston, AfPP Marketing Manager
As the world marks International Nurses Day on Monday, May 12th, 2025, we proudly celebrate the invaluable contributions of Registered Nurses (RN) and Nurse Associates (NA) across every setting. Among them are theatre nurses; highly skilled professionals who play a critical role in delivering safe, effective surgical care and supporting patients through every stage of their surgical journey.
I had the opportunity to visit The Walton Centre, the UK’s only specialist neurosciences Trust, in the suburb of Fazakerley in Liverpool, to learn more about the vital role of a theatre nurse in the perioperative team.
“I love being a Recovery Nurse at The Walton Centre because you are advocating for patients when they are at their most vulnerable, especially when they are coming round from anaesthesia,” said Tegan Birkett.
She added: “They are probably in a lot of pain and they need comfort and reassurance and it is lovely to be able to give them that.”
Beth Mason, also a Recovery Nurse at The Walton Centre, said: “I really enjoy the personal care element of being a Recovery Nurse as I get to spend time with patients in the recovery setting and talk to them about their journey. You never get that time on the ward to spend with a patient, whereas in recovery we can have a couple of hours and get to have a cup of tea and a proper chat. I get to build a rapport with them and it brightens their day, and it brightens mine.”
Life in the operating theatre
While patients are often unconscious during surgery and the operating theatre is a restricted environment, the work carried out there is nothing short of extraordinary. Theatre nurses, also known as perioperative nurses, are essential to the smooth running of every procedure, ensuring safety, precision, and compassionate care at every turn.
They work in fast-paced, high-stakes environments where teamwork, communication, and meticulous attention to detail are essential. Whether preparing for a planned operation or responding to an emergency, theatre nurses are calm, focused, and unwavering in their commitment to patient care.
A role with many hats
The role of a theatre nurse is multifaceted and varies depending on the specific stage of the patient’s surgical journey. Typically, theatre nurses specialise in one or more of the following roles:
Scrub Nurse
Positioned at the sterile field, scrub nurses work directly with the surgical team, selecting and passing instruments, anticipating the surgeon’s needs, and ensuring aseptic technique is maintained throughout the procedure.
Circulating Nurse
Acting as the link between the sterile field and the wider team, circulating nurses manage equipment, maintain documentation, and coordinate the theatre environment to ensure patient safety and procedural flow.
Anaesthetic Nurse
Supporting the anaesthetist, these nurses prepare and check anaesthetic equipment, assist during induction, and help monitor the patient’s condition before and during surgery.
Recovery Nurse
In the post-anaesthesia care unit (PACU), recovery nurses monitor patients as they wake, manage pain relief, and provide reassurance and support during the critical early recovery phase.
Advocates at the most vulnerable moments
Theatre nurses are more than technical experts. They are patient advocates at a time when patients can’t speak for themselves. From double-checking consent and surgical sites, to maintaining dignity and emotional reassurance, theatre nurses uphold the highest standards of person-centred care.
They are often the last voice a patient hears before anaesthesia, and the first one they hear upon waking. That trust is a privilege, and a responsibility, taken seriously by every nurse in the operating theatre.
More than a job – a calling
Being a theatre nurse isn’t for the faint-hearted. The role demands physical stamina, emotional resilience, and an unwavering focus on safety and precision. It also offers immense professional satisfaction: knowing you’ve contributed to life-changing, and often life-saving, care.
Many theatre nurses say they were drawn to the role for the blend of technical skill, teamwork, and the deep sense of purpose it brings. For them, no two days are ever the same, and that’s part of the appeal.
Tegan said: “I would say to anyone thinking about doing nursing it’s such an amazing job and so rewarding, and you’ll have the best colleagues!”
Beth had a message for fellow theatre nurses: “Keep going, we are all in this together. We have got each other, and we are one big team.”
Celebrating theatre nurses this International Nurses Day
On this International Nurses Day, we celebrate all nurses; from ward-based staff to those in the community, education, research, and leadership roles. We also take a moment to recognise theatre nurses, whose expertise, empathy, and professionalism are central to making every operation safer, smoother, and truly patient-focused. To all theatre nurses: thank you for being there in the moments that matter most.
Thank you!
Huge thanks to The Walton Centre for warmly welcoming AfPP and allowing us the opportunity to spend time with your incredible theatre team. We’re so grateful for your openness and support in helping us share a real and inspiring look at a theatre nurse’s role. Your dedication to patient care and team spirit truly shines through; thank you for being part of this special feature!
May 2025 is a month of celebration – and this year, it’s bigger than ever.
We invite you to join us in celebrating International Nurses Day on Monday 12th May and National ODP Day on Wednesday 14th May. These two important dates offer the perfect opportunity to honour the dedication, compassion, and skill of perioperative professionals across the UK and beyond.
This year is extra special, as 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the Operating Department Practitioner profession!
