By James X. Stobinski, Ph.D., RN, CNOR(E), CSSM(E), CNAMB(E)
As a faculty member I serve on dissertation committees for doctoral candidates in health administration and in nursing. At this stage of my career, it is my way of giving back and contributing to the profession.
I recently served on a committee for a successful defense by a doctor of health administration (DHA) student at Central Michigan University. It was a fine study using qualitative methods, a case study approach comparing supply chain management (SCM) practices in rural versus metropolitan hospitals. Following the successful defense the committee had a long discussion with the candidate regarding the need for dissemination of the findings from this research. That discussion prompted me to reflect on our collective responsibility to contribute to our professions.
What Makes Perioperative Nursing a Profession
As perioperative nurses, our professional identity is the way we understand and define ourselves as members of the nursing profession and of the specialty of perioperative nursing. This professional identity encompasses our values and beliefs as well as the knowledge, skills and behaviors we exhibit in our work. Greenwood, in his classic work, detailed the characteristics of a profession. These include a specialized body of knowledge, formal education and training and a professional culture and identity. A service orientation is also a characteristic of a profession and that is the focus of this column – how we can contribute service to our profession.
Building the Body of Knowledge
There are many ways that nurses can build the body of knowledge for the complex, technology intensive work of surgery. Volunteer service with member and professional organizations to include certification boards is one option to build the body of knowledge and establish the professional identity of perioperative nursing. Previously I have written of the benefits of nurses contributing to the Sigma Repository. Since that 2022 column, this repository has grown exponentially to thousands of original works to include dissertations, DNP capstone manuscripts and “…undergraduate and graduate papers and projects of exceptional merit.” Individuals or schools of nursing may make contributions. The site is easy to navigate and search; downloads of complete papers are available without charge. With the Sigma Repository quality work can quickly become accessible and knowledge can be shared widely. This site can begin the diffusion of knowledge early in the career path of the best and brightest in our specialty.
Publishing in Peer-Reviewed Journals
Publication in a peer-reviewed, indexed and credible journal builds the culture and identity of our specialty. The obvious publication choice for perioperative nurses is the AORN Journal which publishes a diversity of articles and maintains a distinct clinical focus. But, there are other journals worth considering. The Journal of PeriAnesthesia Nursing (JoPAN) provides “…original, peer-reviewed research…” and “…provides a forum for sharing professional knowledge and experience relating to management, ethics, legislation, research, and other aspects of perianesthesia nursing.” The Elsevier Journal – Perioperative Care and Operating Room Management (PCORM) provides another option. This is a multidisciplinary, international journal which publishes articles on, “…the administrative, economic, operational, safety, and quality aspects of surgical and procedural delivery in the ambulatory setting, perioperative services, and non-operating room environment.” This peer-reviewed and indexed journal publishes diverse clinical and research articles and has a substantial nursing and academic perspective. In the interest of full disclosure, I do serve as a reviewer for this publication.
Although some of these journals, notably PCORM and JOPAN, have a research focus, there are ample opportunities for non-research articles. Writing for perioperative journals or volunteering to serve as a reviewer contributes to our profession and facilitates the process of knowledge dissemination which began this article. These are just a few examples of the opportunities available to perioperative nurses to enhance the practice of our specialty.
James X. Stobinski, Ph.D., RN, CNOR(E), CSSM(E), CNAMB(E), is a faculty member at Central Michigan University and director of hospital and ASC surgical education relationships with National Institute of First Assisting (NIFA).
Sources
- Greenwood, E. (1957). Attributes of a profession. Social Work, 2(3), 45-55.
- Stobinski, JX. (2022, AUG). The Benefits of a Repository. OR Today Magazine.
- Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. (n.d.). Sigma repository. https://www.sigmarepository.org/
- ASPAN (American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nursing) (2026). Journal of PeriAnesthesia Nursing. https://www.aspan.org/JoPAN-Online
- Elsevier (2026). Perioperative Care and Operating Room Management. https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/perioperative-care-and-operating-room-management
