Staff Nurse Theatres band 5

Job/Role Summary

• Smooth running of theatres
• Assistance to surgeons
• Teaching students
• Maintaining and servicing instruments
• Safe environment for patients

Specific qualifications and experience required

Registered Nurse

I have 28 years experience in theatres and was a theatre manager in the past. I became a nurse again because of family reasons

Career Milestones

Did theatre course in 1981. Practical experience gained in theatres. Moved around various theatres e.g. eyes, general, ENT, orthopaedic, plastics, paediatrics and emergency. I was involved in setting up the seamless days and extended days to make better use of theatre facilities. Now more consultants working here and involved.

What attracted you to this job?

• Always wanted to be a nurse
• I was placed in theatre but I quickly found my niche
• Times have changed a lot over the years – not as it used to be but good teamwork.

Enjoyable aspects of the job/role

• Good teamwork
• Enjoy company of other staff
• Great job satisfaction – giving good service to patients
• Able to see quick results of work e.g. fixing broken bones or removing tumours.

Challenging aspects of the job/role

• Staff shortages
• Keeping people motivated – especially newly qualified
• Hard to rise above bickering and griping sometimes

Important success factors

• Working with good managers and experienced and gained a lot from them
• Good surgeons, good techniques, good working relationships
• Passing on my years of experience to more junior staff

Advice for those considering the type of job/role?

It is a satisfying job – good to get work completed and finished. It is hard work and can be very heavy at times – working with anaesthetised patients. Teaches you to work as a team. You will act as the patient’s advocate especially when anaesthetised. Need to give 100%. Good to finish the job.

Key skills that can be gained within this job/role?

• Teamwork
• Organisational skills
• Communication skills – need to continually improve
• Teaching skills
• Patience

Career Profiles