Ruth Cannon
Ridgefield,WA
Summary
Internationally trained Operating Room, RN with 25 years of perioperative expertise ranging from Scotland, Australia, and the United States. Expert in both scrub and circulating roles within high-acuity surgical environments. Highly trusted, engaging leader, holistic team player and mentor, committed to surgical efficiency, patient safety, and delivering the highest standards of perioperative nursing practice with face-to-face direct patient care. Recognized for advanced knowledge, experience and sound intraoperative clinical judgment, including exceptional sterile technique and seamless collaboration with entire anesthesia & surgical teams.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Operating Room Registered Nurse
Peacehealth Southwest Medical Center
Vancouver, USA
07.2011 - Current
- Providing comprehensive perioperative care in a fast-paced, high-volume Level 2 Trauma, surgical setting.
- Serves proficiently as both Circulating and Scrub Nurse across diverse surgical specialties.
- Assisted anesthesiologists and CRNAs with induction, advanced airway management, line placement, and intraoperative monitoring to ensure patient safety and comfort.
- Maintaining uncompromising sterile technique and ensuring surgical field integrity during complex procedures.
- Coordinated multidisciplinary teams to enhance patient outcomes and streamline surgical workflow.
- Mentored newly hired/junior OR nurses to foster clinical competency and support ongoing education.
- Actively participates in trauma and emergency surgical response teams.
- Advocates for patient safety through strict adherence to AORN standards and facility protocols.
Operating Room Registered Nurse – Pediatric & Adult Services
Prince of Wales Hospital/Sydney Children’s Hospital
Sydney, Australia
01.2006 - 01.2011
- Scrubbed and circulated for diverse pediatric and adult procedures, facilitating seamless surgical operations.
- Assisted anesthesia providers with pediatric inductions and airway stabilization.
- Provided comprehensive perioperative care in tertiary-level surgical environments, ensuring patient safety and support.
- Ensured compliance with Australian perioperative safety standards and infection control guidelines.
- Enhanced case turnover and supported high patient satisfaction through effective teamwork and communication.
Operating Theatre Registered Nurse
Aberdeen Royal Infirmary
Aberdeen, Scotland, UK
09.2001 - 01.2006
- Initiated nursing career in high-volume, Level 1, 900 bed regional teaching hospital, providing critical support in surgical settings.
- Developed strong foundational expertise in sterile technique, instrumentation management, and surgical workflow coordination.
- Scrubbed and circulated during diverse general and specialty procedures, ensuring seamless surgical operations.
- Facilitated surgical teams in upholding safety standards and enhancing patient-centered care delivery.
Education
United States – RN-NCLEX Certification -
06.2011
Diploma of Higher Education - Nursing
The Robert Gordon University
Aberdeen, Scotland09-2001
Skills
- Advanced Scrub & Circulating Practice
- High-Acuity & Trauma Response
- Pediatric & Adult Surgical Specialties
- Anesthesia Support
- Airway Assistance
- Complex Case Coordination
- Sterile Field Management
- Infection Prevention
- Multidisciplinary Team Leadership
- Surgical Instrumentation Mastery
- Patient Advocacy
- Regulatory Compliance
Professional Distinctions
- Calm, knowledgeable, effortlessly engaging, decisive leader in high-pressure surgical environments.
- Exceptional sterile awareness and procedural precision.
- Strong mentor with a fun and engaging leadership style with hands-on teaching experience.
- Cross-cultural clinical expertise across three healthcare systems with international experience.
- Deep understanding of intraoperative environment, clinical procedures, anatomy & physiology.
Certification
- Registered Nurse, Washington, Currently Active, 06/01/11, 06/22/26
- Registered Nurse, Sydney, Australia, 01/01/06, 12/31/11
- Registered Nurse, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK, 01/01/01, 12/31/06
Surgical Specialties Experience
- Highly proficient Scrub & Circulator in General Surgery
- ENT
- Pediatrics
- Trauma
- Orthopedics
- Gynecology
- Urology
- Plastics
- Ophthalmology & Robotic Surgery
Core Expertise
- Advanced Scrub & Circulating Practice - High-Acuity & Trauma Response
- Pediatric & Adult Surgical Specialties - Anesthesia Support & Airway Assistance
- Complex Case Coordination - Sterile Field Management & Infection Prevention
- Multidisciplinary Team Leadership
- Surgical Instrumentation Mastery - Patient Advocacy & Regulatory Compliance
Timeline
Operating Room Registered Nurse
Peacehealth Southwest Medical Center
07.2011 - Current
Operating Room Registered Nurse – Pediatric & Adult Services
Prince of Wales Hospital/Sydney Children’s Hospital
01.2006 - 01.2011
Operating Theatre Registered Nurse
Aberdeen Royal Infirmary
09.2001 - 01.2006
United States – RN-NCLEX Certification -
Diploma of Higher Education - Nursing
The Robert Gordon University