Are You Ready for Perioperative Nurses Week?

Taking a moment to sit down and reflect on what you love about perioperative nursing and what you can do to advance the profession is more than a luxury this year … it’s essential.

That’s why AORN wants to help you reinvigorate yourself and the profession each day during Perioperative Nurses Week (PNW), Nov. 14–20, to honor this year’s presidential theme of advocacy, according to AORN President Holly Ervine, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, CNOR.

“First and foremost, perioperative nurses need to take a moment of respite, even if it’s a moment of shared deep breathing between cases to find our center and remember how important we are as advocates for our patients,” Ervine encourages. “In a moment of quiet, we can regain our strength and be refreshed to give our best.”

She also encourages nurses to take time during PNW to think about the skills and training they want to advance. “Through the pandemic, perioperative nurses have shown our colleagues the advanced training, critical thinking skills and cool head we bring to provide safe patient care,” Ervine adds. “Taking time to develop our professional skills through online education helps us sharpen our knowledge to be ready for whatever new practice challenge we face.”

PNW is a time to advance our advocacy as a profession, and nurses can do this in so many ways, she explains. “We can take time to attend a virtual chapter meeting, write a letter to a legislator about surgical safety, or take an opportunity to educate the public on the important role of the OR nurse.”

For the second consecutive year, Stryker has stepped up to sponsor Perioperative Nurses Week. “We celebrate your dedication to providing care and advocacy for others, every single day.” said Mike Carlin, Vice President and General Manager of Stryker’s Surgical Technologies business.  “The safety of perioperative nurses and their patients is at the heart of what we do. We are proud to be with you on a journey to zero harm from common perioperative risks and are committed to supporting you through the RSI safety program and other educational opportunities.”  

Plan Your Week

Here’s a sneak peek at how AORN will be taking time to advocate for our fellow nurses and the perioperative nursing profession during PNW. Please join us by taking part in these daily activities Nov. 14–20.

Monday Nov. 15: ADVOCATE FOR YOURSELF

Make a moment for yourself with tools to strengthen your emotional health and well-being, such as listening to Headspace, a free app to practice meditation and mindfulness.

Tuesday Nov. 16: ADVOCATE FOR YOUR PATIENTS

Think about important ways you advocate for your patients every day, such as engaging fully in the Time Out, and following the latest evidence to prevent a retained surgical item or positioning injury.

Wednesday Nov. 17: ADVOCATE FOR A SAFE SURGICAL SETTING

You have the power to make the OR a safer place for your colleagues and patients. One important action you can take to ensure a safe surgical setting is to sign AORN’s petition to OSHA to require smoke evacuation for every procedure.

Thursday Nov. 18: ADVOCATE FOR KINDNESS AND CIVILITY

Burnout is a reality in every healthcare setting as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. With patience and energy running thin, incivility and conflict is on the rise. Commit to kindness and civility in your workplace, whether you take a breath to regain patience before speaking to a colleague or even make time to compliment a perioperative nurse you see making a difference.

Friday Nov. 19: ADVOCATE FOR GIVING BACK

The AORN Foundation gives perioperative nurses the education and resources to advance patient and workplace safety. Perioperative Nurses Week is the perfect occasion to donate $30 in celebration of the Foundation’s 30th anniversary and receive the Foundation’s 30^th Anniversary fanny pack – while supplies last.

It’s not too early to start planning how you and your colleagues will honor Perioperative Nurse Week advocacy efforts to support nurses who make surgery safe.

Get more details from AORN’s Perioperative Nurses Week webpage for the latest ways to honor perioperative nurses in November.