Is it the same????

Editorial Team / Admin · Oct 14, 2009

One of our members recently contributed a comprehensive work in the Articles section, on what OR nurses do.

Here's the link:

https://allnurses.com/nursing-articles/what-do-operating-426443.html

Hopefully someone will be able to answer your question about the duties of a scrub nurse VS PA. :)

Cyan8181 · Oct 27, 2009

A 'scrub nurse' isn't actually a nurse at all; he or she is a Surgical Technician and have graduated from a 1 or 2 year accredited program and most likely have sat for their boards to receive their national certification.

In my hospital (Level 1 Trauma Center, 22 ORs, roughly 75-100 cases per day), there are still a few nurses who scrub occasionally. They are mostly RNs who were CSTs (Certified Surgical Techs) before nursing school, but 98% are current CSTs. CSTs are responsible for maintaining multiple sterile fields, setting up the instrumentation, being familiar with constantly changing technology, passing instruments and medications and assisting with surgery.

PAs usually scrub into a case once it has started and assist the surgeon. Afterwards they usually close the subcu and skin or break before then and put in orders. Often they will take the patient to PACU with the CRNA or Anesthesiologist. If there isn't a PA or resident assisting, CSTs assist during surgery (at different levels) as well as doing their own job. Depending on their level, the CSTs at my hospital may use the bovie, tie off bleeders and sew.

linda2097 · Oct 27, 2009

A 'scrub nurse' isn't actually a nurse at all; he or she is a Surgical Technician and have graduated from a 1 or 2 year accredited program and most likely have sat for their boards to receive their national certification.

A scrub nurse is a nurse who scrubs. A surgical technologist does the same job as a scrub nurse.

core0 · Nov 1, 2009

Just curious. I'm a new nurse(LPN). Just wondering if a scrub nurse can do the same things in the O.R. as a P.A. can?? Any insite would be greatly appriciated!! Also, what do scrub nurses do in the O.R.??

It will depend on state law. Different states have different rules one what first assists can do depending on their qualifications. Things that a PA can do that a scrub nurse could not do in the periop period would include consenting the patient, pre and post op orders, and the H&P (at least in my experience). The PA depending on the job will also follow the patient in the ICU and on the floor. Finally Medicare will reimburse a PA (or NP) for assisting but will not reimburse other non-physician first assists.

David Carpenter, PA-C