Working in a fast-paced environment like a hospital operating room isn’t for everyone.

As an acting associate nurse unit manager  in theatre at Mackay Base Hospital, Jaimee Dawes’ role requires quick feet and a quick mind to ensure patients are getting the best care.

With seven theatres operating onsite daily, each requiring three to four nursing staff, teamwork was the key to the seamless orchestration of surgical procedures and the safety and wellbeing of patients, Jaimee said.

“I really enjoy all aspects of theatre; I appreciate being an advocate for patients and I like the technical aspects of the procedures as well,” she said.

“Perioperative nursing is very rewarding work, but you really need to want to be in the theatre environment; it’s not for everyone.

“Some days are hard, so it’s important for our team to debrief and talk with their colleagues.

“As seniors, we also have a responsibility to check in on our junior staff, so it’s taking care of them as well, not just the patients.”

Jaimee has lost count of the number of procedures she has scrubbed in for throughout her 18-year nursing career.

She has worked in the theatre at Mackay Base Hospital for 11 years having previously nursed at Townsville Hospital in anaesthetics. She has been a clinical nurse with the obstetrics and gynaecology consultant team since September last year.

Jaimee scrubs in on a range of procedures every day, from elective caesareans to category one  emergencies, as well as a range of gynaecological procedures including laparoscopic surgeries, hysterectomies and hysteroscopies. Some procedures can be demanding physically and emotionally.

“The average gynae list is anywhere from three to five or six cases a day depending on what they are,” Jaimee said.

“Urology can have as many as 10 to 15 patients on the list.”

Jaimee said some procedures performed like hysteroscopes and LLETX (Large Loop Excision Of the Transformation Zone) were straight forward and only took about 10 to 15 minutes.

“Then some hysterectomies can take up to three or four hours depending on complexities and issues like adhesions and endometriosis,” she said.

Jaimee believes her perioperative work is also helping make a difference for female patients.

“My mum had a hysterectomy because of endometriosis and I’ve got several family members suffering with it as well,” she said.

“I’ve also had two caesarean births myself so I can relate, and think that helps you be much more empathetic. You are also involved in someone’s big life moment, so that can be very special.”

Jaimee has juggled study, full-time and part-time work and raising three children to progress her career after starting out as an AIN (Assistant in Nursing) straight out of school in Dubbo.

“I think ongoing learning is important as a nurse – I’m actually doing my post-grad certificate in theatre now,” Jaimee said.

“Perioperative nurses need to be eager to learn, have good time management skills and enjoy the teamwork.

“Times have changed and surgical techniques and technology change too. You really have to adapt.

“But day-in day-out in theatre, you develop some real muscle memory so when stuff comes rushing through the door you know exactly what to do and what is required of you.”