A surgical nurse, also referred to as a theatre nurse or scrub nurse, specializes in perioperative care, providing care to patients before, during and after surgery. To become a theatre nurse, Registered Nurses or Enrolled Nurses complete extra training. Surgical nurses may assist in any type of surgery. Surgical nurses may work in hospitals or outpatient surgical centers.

There are many different phases during surgery where the surgical nurse is needed to support and assist the patient, surgeons, surgical technicians, anesthesiologists and other medical staff. Pre-operative, nurses help to prepare the patient and operating room for the surgery. During the surgery, they assist the anaesthetist and surgeons when they are needed. Post-operative nurses ensure that the patients are provided with suitable care and treatments following surgery.

In the UK and Australia, surgical patients (those who have undergone a minor or major surgical procedure) are attended to on different wards from medical patients. Nursing practice on surgical wards differs from that of medical wards.

Surgical nurses work alongside other medical staff throughout the surgical process. In surgery there are three main phases: preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative. These phases collectively are known as the perioperative period. Each phase is related to specific activities carried out and skills needed for different stages of nursing.

This stage is undertaken when the patient prepares to have surgery. It may include discussing with the patients all the benefits of the procedure but also the dangers that could occur. This is an opportunity for the patient to discuss any concerns they may have. When assigned, the theatre nurses must make sure that the patients are in good condition before going ahead with the surgery.

This stage begins when the ward nurse, who has prepared the patient for surgery, delivers the patient and their notes to the theatre and/or anaesthetic nurse. Many checks are undertaken at this stage to ensure a safe environment for the patient and the theatre staff. The theatre nurse works to maintain a sterile environment and to ensure the surgical equipment is working well. The nurse also organises all surgical instruments and ensures all supplies needed during the surgery are available.

This phase begins when the theatre/anaesthetic nurse delivers the patient's notes to the nurses and staff in the Post-Anaesthetic Care Unit (PACU). This can also be known as the recovery room. Here the nurse's immediate attention is on checking the patient's airway and breathing. In this phase nurses also attend to pain relief and any other complications following surgery. These nurses, often in day surgery cases, attend to provide patients and their caregivers with support and instructions and requirements needed for home care.

The first twenty-four hours post surgery are critical, and many procedures are required to monitor the patient. Often, observations of the patient need to be taken and recorded every fifteen minutes. General observations include heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, respiratory rate and oxygen saturation. Further post-operative tasks for a surgical nurse include: urine output, assessment of wound sites, replacing intravenous requirements and reporting any abnormalities.