A day in the life of an operating theatre nurse

Ever wondered what a typical day looks like for the nurses who work in the Operating Theatres (OT) at National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS)? Meet Sylvia Goh, a nurse clinician who takes care of patients in the OT and recipient of the Nurses’ Merit Award 2024 who shares what her typical workday looks like. 

NCCS nurse clinician, Sylvia Goh, has a full workday taking care of patients and mentoring colleagues in the operating theatre

8:00am 

 

Sylvia arrives at the NCCS Surgery Department on Level 8, changes out of her street clothes into blue scrubs, surgical cap, mask, and footwear and heads to her office. She starts her day with administrative tasks, before meeting a patient scheduled for surgery later that morning .  

“When I graduated from nursing school in 2006, I worked as a nurse at Singapore General Hospital (SGH)'s major operating theatres. When I heard NCCS was setting up an OT, I decided to join in 2019 as I saw it as a great opportunity for personal and professional growth,” shares Sylvia.  

Her responsibilities include preparing for surgical cases scheduled for the day, assisting during surgery, guiding junior staff, and working with other departments to ensure patients receive seamless care.

8:30am

Sylvia conducts pre-assessment checks with the first patient scheduled for surgery that morning. She verifies his identity, gets his consent, reviews his medical history, and double-checks if he has any drug allergies or metal implants in his body. Metal implants can increase the chance of thermal burns during surgery because of the equipment used, so knowing about them helps the surgical team take precautions to keep the patient safe. She explains the surgical procedure and makes sure he understands his post-surgery care plans.  

“It is important that patients are well-informed and mentally prepared before they go for surgery,” explains Sylvia.

9:00am

A colleague assists the patient to change into his surgical gown, while Sylvia heads to the operating theatre to set up with her colleagues.  

“Oncology-related surgeries like excision biopsies and mastectomies are performed in the OT.  Before surgery, we make sure that all surgical sets are sterile and equipment are ready to use. We work closely with surgeons, anaesthetists and other colleagues to make sure the OT is a safe environment for patients,” says Sylvia. 

10:00am

The patient is wheeled into the OT and Sylvia and her team perform final verification checks and reassure the anxious patient.  

“I recall one day a patient burst into tears when he was transferred onto the operating table. I held his hand to offer reassurance and comfort. It’s moments like these that remind me how important the human touch can be to ease the worries and anxiety that our patients may be feeling ,” shares Sylvia.

 

11:30am 

 

After the surgery, the patient is transferred to the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) for monitoring.  

“PACU nurses are the first people patients see after surgery when they wake up from anaesthesia. They closely monitor the patient’s vital signs, manage any side effects, such as nausea from anaesthesia, provide updates to the surgeons and anaesthetist, and discharge the patient from PACU when appropriate,“ says Sylvia.

12:30pm 

 

Time for lunch! Sylvia and her colleagues grab lunch together in the pantry while catching up. It also gives junior nurses the opportunity to get advice from their more experienced colleagues.

1:30pm

   

Sylvia sets aside time every day to mentor and train junior nurses on the team. She shares relevant work tips and ensures that the team is ready and confident to carry out their work tasks.   

3:00pm – 5:30pm

 

In between surgeries, Sylvia meets with her team to discuss ongoing cases and catches up on administrative tasks.  

Reflecting on what makes her role fulfilling, Sylvia says, “I like being part of the surgical team. And now that I am more senior, I find it very fulfilling to support and mentor the next generation of nurses.”

Sylvia is pursuing a Master of Advanced Practice (Clinical Leadership) from Curtin University, supported by a scholarship from the Wee Foundation. She will complete the degree in November 2025. 

“I strive to understand what is important to my colleagues and support them in achieving their goals. It is rewarding to champion their professional and personal growth,” shares Sylvia. 

5:30pm 

After a fulfilling day, Sylvia heads home to unwind with a home-cooked meal, her two cats, and some relaxing music. On weekends, she enjoys doing pilates, gyrotonics, and spending time with family and friends in her free time. 

Recently, Sylvia was a recipient of the Nurses’ Merit Award 2024 which is given to nurses who have displayed noteworthy and exceptional performance and contributed to elevating the profession of nursing. 

“It was an unexpected honour, and I’m touched that my contributions are valued and appreciated. At the end of the day, I feel lucky that I get to do what I love for a living,” says Sylvia.