Editor's Note A recent report in Becker’s Hospital Review illuminated health systems’ efforts to address physician shortage by integrating advanced practice providers (APPs) into care models. Citing projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Becker’s noted that nurse practitioners (NPs) “are the fastest-growing occupation in the country, with employment in…

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Editor's Note The American Medical Association (AMA) expressed “strong opposition” to a proposed regulation in Washington, DC, that would allow certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) to use the title “nurse anesthesiologist.” As detailed in a December 2 announcement, a letter to the DC Department of Health from AMA CEO James…

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Reliable and robust enough for daily use on most medical devices, steam is the most common sterilant in healthcare facilities. However, using steam properly requires a balancing act. For example, too much moisture can lead to wet packs, while steam that is too dry might not be sufficient to achieve…

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Although certification can be a career accelerator for any nurse, perioperative nurses in particular appear to be getting the message. Consider the most recent data from the American Board of Perianesthesia Nursing Certification, Inc (ABPANC), which offers the Magnet-recognized Certified Postanesthesia Nurse (CPAN) and Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse (CAPA) credentials.…

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Editor's Note Between 2025 and 2029, US college enrollment is expected to drop by 15%, reflecting a decline in the perceived value of college and a rise in trade careers. Alongside other educational challenges and what Stephanie Woods, PhD, RN, referred to as the “demographic cliff”—rising death rates, slowing birth…

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Editor's Note A study led by researchers at Yeshiva University showed an educational intervention program significantly improved perioperative nurses’ understanding of pressure-injury prevention, with the benefits lasting for at least six months following the training. Results were published August 23 in Applied Nursing Research. Conducted among 354 nurses from 11…

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Editor's Note Nurse managers with strong leadership competencies indirectly improve frontline nurse retention by enhancing the work environment, according to research published in the October issue of the Journal of Nursing Administration. Researchers analyzed data from 248 units across 43 hospitals in 20 states, seeking correlations between NM competencies, nurse…

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Takeaways • OR leaders’ satisfaction with many work factors has increased significantly. • Financial compensation has improved slightly for many leaders. • OR leaders supervise more full-time equivalent (FTE) employees than last year. OR leaders are more satisfied in their work compared to a year ago, and their earnings have…

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Editor's Note An August 6 report in MedPage Today details how the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) is pushing to end the practice of using live animals for physiology training. According to the article, some surgical residencies use live animals (usually pigs) as practice patients. In contrast, only 3%…

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Competency assessment in perioperative nursing—and American healthcare in general—is a story of unrealized potential. Particularly in the wake of the pandemic, staffing shortfalls and financial pressures have made focusing on staff development difficult for nurse leaders. Nonetheless, the argument for investing more in professional development and competency has never been…

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