Perioperative Theory 2 (with AORN Periop 101): The Nurse in the Scrub Role NSPO 7251

As a healthcare practitioner, you are expected to follow professional standards of practice throughout all SN programs and courses. In this course, you will have opportunities to use the processes of critical thinking, systematic inquiry, communication, collaboration, leadership, professionalism, and clinical decision-making. Upon successful completion of this course, you should be able to:

• Use relevant current ORNAC Guidelines for Perioperative Practice to explain core activities in the scrub role: scrubbing, gowning, and gloving; setting up the sterile environment; counting; preparing for surgery; draping; anticipating during surgery; handling specimens; and dismantling the sterile environment.
• Use relevant knowledge of Periop 101: A Core Curriculum to inform novice entry-level scrub nurse activities: patient and worker safety, aseptic practice, equipment safety, patient care, and sterilization.
• Apply knowledge of essential components of aseptic technique associated with the preparation and maintenance of the sterile team in the perioperative environment
• Critically analyze how scrub nurses apply surgical conscience to promote patient safety and healing.
• Identify risks and hazards associated with the perioperative environment and equipment for patients and team members.
• Carry out scrub nurse activities that minimize risks and hazards and promote patient and team safety.
• Identify the potential emotional and physical impact of the perioperative environment on patients and team members.
• Use effective communication techniques to promote effective interprofessional perioperative team partnerships and collaboration.
• Critically analyze independent and collaborative activities of scrub nurses that facilitate effective and ethical patient care within the perioperative team.
• Critically analyze how scrub nurses enact caring with patients undergoing surgery.
• Identify how scrub nurses advocate for perioperative patients.
• Explain how scrub nurses use ways of knowing the individual (case, patient, and person) to care for patients.
• Prepare and communicate a plan for patient-centered care in the scrub role using reflective critical thinking skills and a clinical decision-making framework.

Effective as of Spring/Summer 2025