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Operasjonssykepleier Jenny: Veien til spesialisering
På Ahus finnes det gode muligheter for videreutdanning og faglig utvikling. Utdanningsstillinger gir ansatte muligheten til å kombinere jobb og videreutdanning. Med utdanningsstilling hos oss har Jenny Fridstrøm fått nye utfordringer, verdifull erfaring og en ny arbeidshverdag. I dag stortrives hun i rollen som operasjonssykepleier.
Published 3/11/2025
Last updated 2/10/2026
From emergency medicine to surgery
Jenny already knew during her bachelor's degree that she wanted to pursue further education. After completing her nursing training, she started in a trainee position at Østfold Hospital, before securing a job in the emergency department at Ahus. She worked there for a year before choosing to apply for further education.
– I am a person who enjoys learning and developing, and I can never quite settle down.
She was torn between anaesthesia and surgical nursing, but ultimately chose surgery.
– In my work as a nurse, I have always found practical procedures enjoyable, and an operation is, in many ways, just a large procedure. I thrive on structured work, and surgical nursing suited me perfectly.
Back to the school desk
The transition to student life at OsloMet was a new everyday experience for Jenny, but she enjoyed the combination of theory and practice.
– It can be a challenge for many to return to studies after several years in work, but I liked it very much.
– Being able to manage my days myself, combining theory and practice, and gradually building up my understanding of the subject has been very nice. At first, I missed the emergency department, but over time I enjoyed my practical experience more and more, and went home with a smile every day.
Learning through experience
The study was divided into 50/50 practice and theory, with three practical periods. Jenny completed a large part of her practical training in the day surgery department at Ahus Nordbyhagen, where she also had a binding period after finishing her education.
In addition to the practical periods, she had the opportunity to go on an exchange to South Africa. There, she worked for three weeks at a public hospital and for three weeks at a private hospital.
– It was an educational experience. The standards were lower than in Norway, and they did not always have what they needed for the patients. This made me grateful for the resources we have here at home and gave me a new perspective.
Safe start in a familiar environment
After the exchange, Jenny entered the workforce as a qualified operating theatre nurse. The experience from her placement in the department made the transition from her studies both easier and more secure.
– After a year and a half of managing my days independently, it was unusual to return to a structured working environment, but it was also reassuring to come into a setting where I felt looked after.
– The start would have been completely different if I hadn’t already known people and the routines here. I am well taken care of and introduced to things in a good way.
An Important Role in the Operating Team
As an operating theatre nurse, Jenny plays a key role in the operating room.
– We are responsible for ensuring everything runs smoothly. We must care for the patient and ensure that all the equipment for the operation is sterile, available, and correct. During operations, there are always two operating theatre nurses: one sterile practitioner who works closely with the surgeon, and one coordinating nurse who receives the patient, documents, and fetches equipment as needed. We often switch roles throughout the day.
Her main section is orthopaedics, where they perform procedures such as keyhole surgeries on the knee and shoulder, as well as operations for various fracture injuries.
– Typically, we can have between one and six operations a day, depending on the procedures. We specialise in a main section to become proficient in what we do, but we also have a secondary section to gain broader experience.
Jenny checks off the safety surgery checklist, which is a tool to enhance patient safety.
Learning, Mastery, and Good Collaboration
Jenny is thriving in her new role as an operating theatre nurse.
– Although we often perform the same types of procedures, no two operations are exactly alike. The collaboration between operating theatre nurses, anaesthetists, surgeons, and the rest of the team is crucial for everything to run efficiently and safely. And that feeling of gradually mastering things and becoming confident in the role – it is incredibly rewarding.
For those considering further education, she has one clear piece of advice:
– If you have thought about it and want to specialise, you should go for it – regardless of age or stage in life. It is worth it in the long run!
During this operation, Jenny is the sterile practitioner.
