A scrub nurse is a nursing professional who works alongside surgeons and other surgical staff in the operating room (OR) . They are also known as perioperative nurses and are registered nurses (RNs) with a concentration in surgery. Scrub nurses are responsible for preparing the OR for the patient, ensuring all the tools are sterile and ready to go, and handing tools to the doctor during the surgery. They also perform other duties inside the surgical room, such as selecting and passing instruments to the surgeon during procedures and watching closely for signs that the surgeon is preparing to switch tools, and they prep them accordingly. Scrub nurses work inside the sterile field of an operating room and are responsible for maintaining a sterile environment throughout the procedure. They work in various settings, including hospitals, outpatient surgical clinics, and emergency centers. Scrub nurses can switch roles and work in other nursing capacities, such as RN first assistants (RNFAs), with additional education and experience.