Perioperative Nursing Foundations for Advanced Practice Nurses

Stepping into the operating room requires a specialized set of skills, terminology, and safety protocols that go far beyond general clinical practice. This text-based course provides the foundational knowledge Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) need to confidently transition into the surgical environment. You will develop a comprehensive understanding of the perioperative continuum, from preoperative preparation to intraoperative management and postoperative care. By mastering these core surgical concepts, you will build the clinical readiness required for surgical collaboration and advanced roles like the Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA). What you will learn: Learn the fundamentals of sterile fields, aseptic techniques, and surgical scrubbing protocols; Understand surgical team dynamics, operating room zones, and perioperative terminology; Apply patient safety standards, positioning guidelines, and infection prevention measures; Study common surgical instrumentation, wound closure materials, and basic suturing concepts; Analyze anesthesia types, monitoring protocols, and modern interprofessional communication tools. The course begins with essential terminology and structural overviews of the surgical suite before guiding you through sterile procedures and patient safety management. This course is designed for APRNs, including Nurse Practitioners, Certified Nurse-Midwives, Clinical Nurse Specialists, and Nurse Anesthetists, who are new to the operating room environment, with no prior surgical experience required. Begin your journey toward surgical clinical excellence today.