AORN

🎉 Celebrate and share with us! 🎉 Can you believe it? 🤯 The Stitch, your e-zine home for new perioperative nurses, is turning 1️⃣! 🥳 To make our next year even better, we need your help. Take just 1️⃣ minute let us know what you think about The Stitch. Your feedback is super important to us! 💬 👉 Take the Survey Here: https://lnkd.in/gFBJKU3s As a thank you, you can opt-in to win one of three $50 gift cards! 🎁✨ Thanks for being part of our community and helping us grow. We can’t wait to hear from you! 💖 *Must complete survey by November 8, 2024, to be entered to win. Three winners will be chosen at random. Winners will be notified on November 11 via email.

“She wants to be a nurse for Halloween.” 🎃 👧 Stephanie Reed, MSN, RN, CNOR, FNE-A/P, first met a young girl during a VPI shunt revision to treat hydrocephalus, a condition where cerebrospinal fluid builds up in the brain, affecting mental function. During surgery prep, Stephanie ensured that the girl and her mother felt comfortable, staying by their side until the little patient fell asleep. 😴 ✨ A few weeks later, the girl returned for another surgery, and both she and her mother immediately recognized Stephanie. While chatting, the mother mentioned the girl’s wish to dress as a nurse for Halloween. 👩⚕️ Without missing a beat, Stephanie gathered disposable gowns, gloves, a hat, and a mask to create the perfect nurse costume. “When I saw how much it meant to her, I knew I had to make it happen,” Stephanie said. The thoughtful gesture not only brought joy to the girl but also left a lasting impact on her mother. 💙 This story is a reminder that the care nurses provide extends far beyond the operating room. Join us as we continue to celebrate inspiring stories like Stephanie’s throughout 2024 for AORN’s 75th anniversary. Have a story to tell? We want to hear from you. Share it at: https://bit.ly/441hYHZ #Nurselife #ORnurse #ORLife #Nursing #Nurses #PeriopPortraits #Nurse #PeriopNurse #Perioperative

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As the spooky season creeps in, remember that AORN is the authoritative source on protecting operating rooms from the lurking threat of surgical site infections. The recently updated AORN “Guidelines for sterile technique” walks through importance considerations for sterile technique---which is an important strategy in SSI prevention. The guideline addresses questions such as: • How many patients should occupy a single OR or other invasive procedure room at a time? • When is it acceptable to open the doors to the OR or other invasive procedure room? • How do I prevent cross-contamination when open basins of sterile water are being used to soak instruments? The guideline also includes recommendations to address the following: • preparing the sterile field, • draping, • opening and handling sterile items, • limiting movement, • maintaining the sterile field, • and more! For an overview of recommendations from the revised guideline, check out this Guidelines in Practice article in the AORN Journal. After reading, be sure to take the evaluation for 2.1 contact hours and stay safe this season! 🎃 https://lnkd.in/gsmUh99Y #surgerylife #AORNJournal #ORNurse #Nursing #NurseLife #Nurses

When you support the dreams and goals of nurses, they remain passionate about providing quality patient care that saves lives. 🏥❤️ Perioperative nurses have chosen a challenging specialty. Whether their focus is pre-, intra-, or post-operative care, rapid advancements in technology and new findings in research are ongoing and require frequent changes in processes, policies, and evidence-based practice standards. 🩺🔬 To be successful, OR nurses must commit to lifelong learning. 📚✨ Thanks to the support of nurses like you, the AORN Foundation funds educational webinars, live events, scholarships, and grants to ensure their continued proficiency in providing safe care to surgical patients. 🎓💡 When we fund education for nurses, we make it possible for them to practice at their highest degree of competence and confidence on behalf of their patients and as valuable members of the surgical team. Our impactful work is made possible by the generous support of our Board of Trustees and our strategic partnerships with individuals, chapters, foundations, and corporations. 🤝🌟 Together, we are making a significant difference in the lives of perioperative nurses and the patients they care for. Join us in celebrating the AORN Foundation’s commitment to excellence in perioperative nursing. 🎉👏 Learn more about our mission and how you can get involved: https://bit.ly/3MvPyPO #PerioperativeNursing #AORNFoundation #NursingEducation #Nurses #Nurse #ORNurse #Nursing #NurseLife #ORLife

As a new nurse how would you convince your teammates that you know what you’re doing (mostly)? 🤔👇🏼 Q: Dear Masked Maven, I am a new nurse who is about halfway through orientation. I have a lot to learn but I feel like I have the basics down. However, even though I have made progress, it seems that no matter how hard I try, everyone treats me like I’m stupid. They tell me things I already know and get nervous when I approach the sterile field even though I know the guidelines for keeping sterility intact. How do I convince them that I know what I’m doing (mostly)? Sincerely, Not Stupid, Just New A: Dear Just New, Every member who is an integral part of the OR team has gone through what you are going through right now. It has nothing to do with competence. It is about the team being very protective of their sterile fields and workflow. This is a good thing! It means your team members have excellent surgical conscience. Surgical teams will always be quick to defend their precious blue, even if it means scolding someone new in the room. My advice while you wait for people to trust you? Avoid saying, “I know,” and instead say, “Thank you for keeping an eye on me.” If you showcase your teachability, it will empower you with a secret weapon: information. When you keep telling people thank you for their reminders or suggestions, they will keep giving them to you. One caveat: it is one thing to be protective of a sterile field, but it is another thing to be a bully. If your team’s comments to you feel downright mean, please talk with your educator or manager to get the support you need to be successful. It is frustrating being treated this way, but be patient, and recognize your team’s efforts in patient advocacy. Before you know it, you’ll be the one teaching the new kid how to stay back from the blue. ✨ New nurse? Submit your questions to Dear Masked Maven for supportive advice. Experienced nurses, leave comments below about how you managed an OR challenge. Let’s work together to create a community❤️of perioperative nurses who help each other succeed. #AORNStitch #surgerylife #perioperative #ORlife #nurse #nurselife #nurses #nursing #ORnurse

Why Wait!? 🤔 Open registration for Expo 2025 is here and so is your chance to win a FREE Hotel Stay 🏨 Register before Nov.1, and you’ll be entered to Win FREE hotel accommodations up to four nights during the event--a value of over $1,000! Register now🏃♀️💨 and share what you're excited to see or your favorite things to do in Beantown in the comments below! 🌳Stroll the Greenway, a relaxing mix of landscaped gardens, promenades, plazas, fountains, and art 👣Follow along the historic Freedom Trail 🚢Take a cruise around the legendary Boston Harbor 🦞Savor some of the best lobster, clam chowder, oysters, and seafood in the Northeast 🌺Wander around Boston Common and the Public Garden, America's oldest and first botanical garden #NursingConference #PerioperativeNurses #WinYourStay #TogetherWeRise #CareerGrowth #AORN2025 #Nursing #Nurses #NurseLife #Nurse #ORLife #Periop

Education + Connections = Guideline Workshops Just ask your periop nurse pals in Chicago and Boston (home of the 2025 AORN Expo 😉) At the AORN Guidelines Workshops, it's not just about learning the latest in perioperative practices (though that's definitely essential!). It's about building a supportive network of fellow nurses in your area and propelling your career growth! Easily transferable knowledge on the latest Guidelines: 1️⃣ Surgical Wound Infection Prevention 2️⃣ Myths & Facts about Surgical Smoke 3️⃣ Hypothermia Prevention 4️⃣ RSI Prevention 5️⃣ Optimizing Patient Outcomes with ERAS Networking, the 💖 of the workshops: Connecting with experienced and new periop nurses in your area is tremendous for career growth. It’s all about sharing experiences, exchanging tips, and building lasting relationships that can benefit you throughout your career. 🥳Shout out to the record-breaking periop nurses of Chicago! Y’all showed up and showed out in the Windy City—making it the second-most attended workshop ever! Two more workshops are coming up: November 2nd (Houston) and 9th (Ft. Lauderdale). Don't miss out! Join us: https://bit.ly/3ZMGegP #AORN #PerioperativeNursing #Guidelines #Education #Community #Networking #CareerGrowth #Nursing #Nurses #NurseLife #Nurse #PeriopNurse #ORNurse #ORLife

In this episode of Periop Talk, we dive deep into the world of Gen Z and their impact on the perioperative nursing workforce. We explore the unique characteristics, values, and expectations of this emerging generation. Host Jake Runion (Center for Perioperative Leadership) and guest Lisa Walden (Good Company Consulting) discuss how to: • Understand Gen Z: Discover the defining factors that shape Gen Z's perspectives and behaviors. • Bridge generational gaps: Explore strategies for effective communication and collaboration across generations. • Create a welcoming workplace: Learn how to adapt your workplace culture to meet the needs of Gen Z. • Navigate technology: Understand the role of technology in Gen Z's professional lives and how to leverage it effectively. • Foster a positive work environment: Discover practical tips for creating a fulfilling and rewarding experience for Gen Z periop nurses. Link to full episode: https://lnkd.in/gJWvhXru 👇🏼If you're Gen Z, what do you want other nurses to know about your passion for the job and how best to collaborate with you? 👇🏾If you're a Boomer, Xer, Millennials, what are you learning from Gen Z that's improved your nursing prowess? #genz #nurse #nursingprofession #nursing #nurselife #nurses #ornurse #orlife #perioperativenursing #perioperative

Even with careful planning, patients can shift beneath the drapes without anyone noticing—like a limb slipping off the bed 🛏️ or pressure points forming ⚠️. These unnoticed movements can lead to post-op complications like stiffness or nerve damage. Frequent positioning assessments during surgery are essential, but many OR teams lack standardized processes to perform them. Perioperative nurse and researcher Sara Booth, RN, BSN, CNOR audited her facility’s cases lasting three hours or more 🕒. Here’s what she found: 💼 65% of cases had only one positioning check before the first incision. 🧑⚕️ Just 4.11% of cases included a nurse-led assessment mid-surgery. 👥 Out of 92 nurses, only 10 felt confident in performing and documenting intra-op positioning assessments. Using AORN’s Guideline for Positioning the Patient, Booth developed four practical strategies to make intra-op positioning easier and safer: 🔄 For procedures longer than three hours, plan positioning checks every 2 hours: Use EMR alerts to remind the circulating nurse when it’s time for the next check. 📄 Create a Simple Documentation System: Use a flowsheet to log who performed the last check and when. Train both nurses and anesthesia providers to access it easily. ❌ Document What Can’t Be Assessed: If certain areas are inaccessible due to equipment or drapes, mark them as “unable to assess” to keep things transparent. 🗣️ Practice Finding Natural Moments to Check: Look for cues like: • “It’s been two hours—let’s take a look under the drapes.” • “The bed just shifted — time to recheck the safety straps.” Booth’s efforts highlight how small actions can make a big impact. With consistent assessments, OR teams can prevent post-op complications and ensure better outcomes for patients. #Perioperative #Periop #ORNurse #Nursing #Nurses #NurseLife #Nurse #ORLife #PatientSafety