Perioperative Education
Perioperative Nursing competencies, education and future opportunities:
- Professional competence
- Clinical reasoning
- Not just based on surgical skills and tech
- ORNAC practice competencies
Education: Gaining expertise in any of these competency areas requires a concerted effort to find and engage in educational resources and activities.
Professional organizations such as the Operating Room Nurses Association of Canada (ORNAC) are important for perioperative nurses to belong as they offer many educational and ancillary benefits.
Benefits of ORNAC Membership
Membership gives you access to continuing education via:
- Bilingual, ORNAC Journal
- Complimentary webinar registrations and discounts on additional ORNAC webinars
- Discounts on Perioperative Nursing Certification [CPN (C)] – Initial Certification and Renewal Costs with CNA ORNAC and the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) Certification
- Opportunities to apply for educational and research bursaries and grants up to $5,000 – aspire to achieve an ORNAC perioperative nursing award
Consider signing up to be an ORNAC member – you can take advantage of the student rate.
Looking to the Future of Perioperative Nursing
Supporting Perioperative Nursing requires envisioning the future of technology-driven care and its impact on patients. Nurses demonstrate their commitment to excellence by participating in advanced perioperative education and receiving their national CNA Certified Perioperative Nurses (Canada). This certification is a statement of ongoing competence and is valued in work settings.
Other organizations that support perioperative nursing are:
The Canadian Network for International Surgery (CNIS): It empowers low-income countries to create an environment where risk from injuries is minimal, all people receive adequate healthcare, and surgical procedures are safe. CNIS shares knowledge, expertise and experience that lead to lasting, sustainable improvements in health and safety in developing countries. For more information about supporting these initiatives, access this site: About CNIS.
The International Federation of Perioperative Nurses (IFPN) is a global organization that actively promotes perioperative nursing and works towards improving patient care globally. Member organizations and collaborators support safe surgical experiences through evidence-based, researched practice standards and education. For more information about supporting this organization, access this site: International Federation of Perioperative Nurses
Formal opportunities to develop advanced nursing skills exist as graduate certificates and Master-level programs that help prepare perioperative educators, leaders, researchers, writers, managers, business administrators, and digital health and technology experts.
Advanced Certifications in Perioperative Nursing
Check out the advance care program for perioperative nurses here.
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Research Highlight
The study by Blomberg et al (2021), showed that perioperative nurses with managerial responsibility and an academic degree, and RNs with advanced perioperative nursing education, have a critical approach and can evaluate and manage varied, complex situations.
Perioperative nurses with less than five years management experience benefited from competency development, particularly if they worked for a university hospital. These ‘novice’ managers needed cooperative support and the ability to consult with other experienced perioperative/nurse managers. Further, they required advanced education in leadership and ongoing development of competence to be able to make the right decisions in different situations regarding employees and to ensure patient care.
Reimagining the Future
The future of the perioperative nursing specialty is directly linked to the future of surgery.
Read the following short articles:
Surgery 4.0: What really constitutes the future of surgical research?
Surgery 4.0 is the future of the surgical speciality. It’s a continuum, no longer beginning and ending at the tip…
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Asensus Surgical: Reimagining the Future of Surgery
When the smart phone in your pocket has more computing power than the standard technology in our hospital operating rooms, it’s time for change…
Read Article
🧠 Graded Activity
In Blackboard, complete the Graded Activity: The Future of Surgery
Summary
Perioperative nursing holds innumerable opportunities for the future. Nurses must engage in formal and/or informal education, invest time in committees or other relevant healthcare activities, lobby for improving patient status through improving Canadian SDH and stay abreast of global issues that impact population health and patient care.