The demographics of perioperative nursing: What we know now

Advances in surgery and the growing use of technology and equipment have contributed to the ascendance of the hospital setting for the education and training of perioperative nurses when delivering surgical care. Education and training programs based on hospital needs have led to a diversity of methods among employers and a decided lack of standardization. The scarcity of perioperative nursing content in pre-licensure coursework, combined with the creation and monitoring of orientation programs being left with employers, has contributed to a lack of visibility for the specialty.