Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Perioperative Nursing
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- Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Perioperative Nursing
Embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) isn't just a moral imperative; it's essential for delivering equitable care to all patients and fostering a more inclusive healthcare environment.
Together, let's champion diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring that every individual—periop nurses and patients—feels valued, respected, and empowered in the pursuit of optimal health outcomes.
Diverse Paths: Shared Purpose
Watch AORN leaders, Nakeisha Toliver, AORN President, and David Waytt, AORN Past President, discuss how DEI benefits both patients and nurses. DEI creates a welcoming environment for patients, improves care, and strengthens the nursing workforce by fostering a sense of belonging and reducing burnout.
Chapter Resource: Host an Inclusive Meeting
Download our Tool Kit for guidance on fostering diversity and inclusion in your chapter's discussions. Equip yourself with discussion prompts and actionable strategies to create a welcoming environment for all members. Download Tool Kit.
Win a DEI Summit Registration
Join AORN's inaugural DEI Summit at the Global Surgical Conference & Expo in Boston, April 5-8, 2025. Enter now for your chance to attend on us.
Tool Kit: Perioperative Care of the Adult Transgender Patient
Enhance your team's ability to provide inclusive and high-quality care for transgender and gender-diverse patients undergoing surgical procedures. AORN's tool kit delivers the resources you need to promote awareness, plan patient care, and implement evidence-based policies and procedures. (AORN members only).
Watch select sessions from AORN Global Surgical Conference & Expo 2024 and other live events.
Insights for overcoming racism in perioperative nursing.
The positive and negative impact of implicit biases.
Nurturing Relationships with Spanish-Speaking Patients.
An in person experience with focus on the perioperative setting.
Online Course: Unconscious Bias and Healthcare Disparities
Discover how unconscious bias impacts patient care in this engaging educational session. Explore its definition, dynamics, and effects on health outcomes. Learn practical tools and approaches to recognize and address unconscious bias, ensuring the best possible care for all patients. Access course.
Complimentary | 2 CH
Virtual Series: ECHO on Racism in Nursing
These 90-minute, case-based discussions led by expert faculty will empower you to confront systemic racism in the workplace and help you to emerge as a powerful ally in the fight against it. Watch recordings. Did you know AORN members receive affiliate membership with the American Nurses Association (ANA)? Explore ANA Affiliate resources.
Career Resources for Equal Pay in Perioperative Nursing
Discover valuable tools and support in our Career Center to empower your journey in perioperative nursing.
Salary Calculator
Unlock your earning potential. Ensure equitable compensation by comparing your pay to industry standards. (AORN members only) Go to Calculator.
Career Coaching
Receive professional guidance, inspiration, and support to help you reach your perioperative goals with a free 60-minute career coaching consultation. (AORN members only) Get coaching.
Fact: Male perioperative nurses earn a higher base wage than their female peers (2023 AORN Salary Survey).
DEI Articles and Resources for Perioperative Nurses
Stay informed, broaden your knowledge, and empower yourself to promote inclusivity in perioperative care.
- Diversity, Equality & Inclusion: Hope for the Future
- Diversity, Equality & Inclusion: November - Diversity in Surgery - Special Editions
- Diversity, Equality & Inclusion: Standing Together
- Diversity, Equality & Inclusion: Where Are the Providers Who Look Like Me?
- Diversity, Equality & Inclusion: Listen and Learn
- Diversity, Equality & Inclusion: Essential Elements of Healthcare Equality
- Diversity, Equality & Inclusion: Understanding Implicit Bias
- Diversity, Equality & Inclusion: Much More Than a Kind Gesture
- Surgeon General Advisory Outlines Recommendations to Address
- Racial Differences in Outcomes After Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasties Persist
- Leadership Insights: Building an Empathetic Culture
- Guideline Quick View: Information Management
- ECRI Releases Top 10 Patient Safety Concerns for 2022
- Crisis Standards of Care May Result in Racial Inequities in Prioritization
- Complementary Care Interventions to Reduce Perioperative Anxiety
- AORN Position Statement on Health Care Equity and Racial Justice
- Guideline for Prevention of Perioperative Pressure Injury
- The Joint Commission releases Sentinel Event Alert on health care disparities
- Limited health literacy is linked to an increased risk of complications
- The Future of Nursing: Health Equity
- Racial/ethnic differences in vaccine hesitancy among health care workers
- Addressing health literacy in the perioperative setting
- Quick Safety discusses strategies to support the health of diverse communities
- Demystifying the Institutional Review Board
- Study identifies disparities in orthopedic telemedicine based on race and ethnicity
- The National Academy of Medicine releases Future of Nursing 2020–2030 report
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention releases statement on racism and health
- Updated Approaches for Patient Blood Management in Cardiac Surgery
- Improving Perioperative Communication During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Telemedicine may help increase access to surgical care
- The Joint Commission outlines actions to address intimate partner violence
- Guideline for patient information management
- Best practices for use of telemedicine
- High county social vulnerability is linked to worse postoperative outcomes
- Honoring an AORN Pioneer During Black History Month
- Selecting an antiseptic skin preparation agent according to the patient’s skin pigmentation
- Guideline Quick View: Patient Skin Antisepsis
- Preoperative preparation
- Guideline for preoperative patient skin antisepsis
- ECRI releases top 10 patient safety concerns for 2021
- Guideline for complementary care
- Our Shared Purpose: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Back to Basics: Social Determinants of Health
The Periop Life
- “Stop AAPI Hate”: a website that tracks hate incidents against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States. Check out the Stop AAPI Hate National Report for information on discrimination and recent incidents.
- Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund: a national organization, founded in 1974, working to protect and promote civil rights for Asian-Americans.
- #HATEISAVIRUS: an initiative and community raising awareness on anti-Asian racism and supporting Asian-owned businesses.
- Meet Anguish with Action: find resources to learn what you can do to create a more just and equitable world.
Non-AORN Webinars
- What Leaders Must Do Today to Address Systemic Racism
- Race Matters: Hear Me - Black Voices on their Pain and Anger
- Race Matters: Stand by Me - How Whites Can Become Authentic Allies
- Race Matters: In My Shoes - Addressing Systemic Racism through Structural Inclusion
Non-AORN Articles
- How Does Implicit Bias Influence Behavior?
- Racism in Healthcare: What You Need to Know
- The Importance of Diversity in Healthcare & How to Promote It
Non-AORN Podcasts
Barba Edwards Endowment
The Barba Edwards Endowed Scholarship commemorates Edwards' tenure as president of AORN from 1976 to 1977. In tribute to her historic role as the first African American to hold this position, the scholarship supports students and nurses of color pursuing Bachelor’s, Master’s or Doctoral degrees in nursing.
Pride Scholarship Fund
In 2022, the AORN Foundation proudly introduced the PRIDE Scholarship, designed to support LGBTQIA+ students as they advance their education in perioperative nursing. This scholarship is awarded for those pursuing a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree in the field.
AORN is committed to incorporating diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) principles into our work with our members, facilities, industry partners, in our communities and for our patients.
