Circulating Nurse The circulating nurse prepares the patient for surgery by setting up the I.V., attaching the monitoring devices and helping the anesthesiologist. The circulating nurse prepares the operating room for surgery and helps the scrub nurse place the instruments on the table. Education: A circulating nurse has a degree from a nursing school and at least one year of operating room experience. © 2007 Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago. All rights reserved.