Voices from the operating room: Meet perioperative nurses Deidre and Jessica

Perioperative Nurses Week is a time to celebrate professionals who stand beside patients through some of their most vulnerable moments. In the operating room, perioperative nurses bring their technical skills, dedication, and compassion to ensure every surgery is safe, and every patient is cared for. Perioperative refers to the period of time surrounding a surgical procedure, including the care provided before, during and after surgery.

Deidre Devine

For Deidre Devine, a perioperative nurse at Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre, nursing was a calling. Her career has spanned surgical units, obstetrics, emergency rooms, senior care, travel nursing to the United States, and outpost nursing to the Northwest Territories. But for the last two decades, she has called the operating room her home, describing it as a place in constant motion.

“The camaraderie is amazing in our team,” she says. “Every day we come to the operating room is an opportunity for growth in learning, teaching, mentoring, and leading. This is where our team truly shines.”

Jessica McCarthy

Jessica McCarthy’s journey to perioperative nursing began with a simple suggestion from an anesthesiologist. After a student placement in an operating room, she knew that this was where she wanted to be. Working at Dartmouth General Hospital, Jessica moves between surgical specialties, supporting surgeries in urology, ear nose and throat surgery, general surgery, orthopedics and more.

“Every day is different,” she says, “but each day we have a great environment filled with team members who have high standards for patient care.”

Supporting their patients

Both nurses agree that there is great satisfaction in seeing their patients thrive. Jessica sees the impact of her work when her patients finally experience relief from their symptoms. For Deidre, it is the human connection she feels with her patients, in holding their hand as they begin to sleep and being the reassuring voice when they wake up.

When asked what advice they would give to someone considering a career in perioperative nursing, Deidre and Jessica agreed: Go for it.

“People sometimes think perioperative nurses just pass instruments. That’s part of the job, but there is much more to it, from anticipating needs, being able to react quickly and skillfully in emergencies, to providing safe quality care for our patients. This role is vital,” says Jessica.

Deidre says, “This is an amazing career. There is a place for everyone and every day you can see how your work matters to your team, as well as your patients and their families. We’re there every step of the way making sure patients feel safe and supported.”

You can learn more about Perioperative Nursing here.

Learn more about the Perioperative Nursing Program:

Perioperative Nursing Program sets nurses up for success in operating rooms.

Expanding Nova Scotia Health’s Perioperative Nursing Program to support current and future workforce needs | Nova Scotia Health.

Photo of (L-R) Deidre Devine and Jessica McCarthy.