CCI

As the new year approaches, many professionals working in the operating room, whether surgical technologists, circulating nurses or team leads, begin to reflect on their career paths. For those who’ve heard of the Competency & Credentialing Institute (CCI) but haven’t yet pursued certification, now may be the perfect time to ask: Am I ready to take the next step?

In the dynamic field of perioperative nursing and surgical services, maintaining certification through the Competency & Credentialing Institute represents more than professional development. It is a strategic investment in both career advancement and patient safety.

Mentorship is a key part of promoting professional development and the success of individuals in the perioperative setting, where the stakes are high and the environment is fast paced.

Nearly a decade ago, the American Nurses Association (ANA) updated its position on workplace violence, declaring that “nurses must be afforded the same level of respect and dignity as others” (ANA, 2017). In the seven years since the ANA launched its #EndNurseAbuse pledge, the nursing profession has taken a firm stance: violence of any kind, from any source, is unacceptable.

Unfortunately, many nursing schools have reduced or eliminated exposure to perioperative nursing. A prevailing misconception – fueled by an overemphasis on standardized testing – is that perioperative nursing doesn’t utilize the nursing process and is therefore not “real” nursing. This view is not only inaccurate but detrimental.

Perioperative nurses are at the center of patient care during surgical or other invasive procedures. A major aspect of patient safety during procedures is the prevention of surgical site infections (SSI). SSIs are the most common hospital-acquired infection (HAI), accounting for approximately 20% of all HAIs (Barnes, 2018).