... many different roles that the theatre nurse can undertake in the operating department:

The scrub nurse works with the surgeon within the sterile field, providing them with skilled assistance. The nurse is responsible for selecting and handling over the appropriate instrument, swabs and supplies needed during the surgical procedure, ensuring a safe surgical experience for the patient.

As the anaesthetic nurse, you provide skilled assistance to the anaesthetist. The nurse cares for the patient during induction, maintenance and reversal of anaesthesia.

As the circulating nurse, you observe the surgical team from a broad perspective and assist them in creating and maintaining a safe surgical environment. The nurse is the link between the sterile team and the rest of the environment and is responsible for the nursing care performed outside the sterile field.

As the recovery nurse, you are responsible for the immediate post-anaesthetic care that the patient receives. This nurse evaluates and stabilises the patient, ensuring a safe recovery period, with particular emphasis on foreseeing and preventing potential problems that may result from surgery or anaesthetic.
Scrub nurse

The scrub nurse works directly with the surgeon within the sterile field passing instruments, sponges, and other items needed during the surgical procedure. The sterile field is the area closely surrounding the OR table, and the Mayo stand, or instrument tray. Surgical team members who work within the sterile field have scrubbed their hands and arms with special disinfecting soap and wear surgical gowns, caps, eyewear, gloves, and shoe covers. (http://www.aorn.org/about/important.htm)