CCI

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).

As spring begins, familiar phrases such as “April showers bring May flowers,” “Don’t forget to smell the roses,” and “Breathe big” remind us of an often-overlooked aspect of patient care – complementary and holistic care. Nursing plays a crucial role in implementing evidence-based practices to enhance the health and well-being of individuals (ANA, 2025).

The public is exposed to the nursing profession through personal interaction but also through the representation of nursing through professional organizations. Professional nursing organizations (PNO) are key to representing the specialized knowledge, ethics, and values that are foundational to the profession (Castaños, & Bowden, 2024).