Effects of a Perioperative Nursing Course on Student Attitudes Toward the Role of the Nurse in the Operating Room

Perioperative nursing is a highly specialized field of nursing practice requiring knowledge and skills not included in baccalaureate nursing programs. The purpose of this research was to study the effects of a perioperative nursing course on student attitudes and knowledge in relation to the perioperative role. Two scales were developed and refined specifically for use in the study. Subjects were nursing students from two classes in a baccalaureate nursing program at a large Midwestern university. Students were tested before and after a perioperative nursing course. Changes in attitude toward the perioperative nurse post course were not significant. Knowledge of the role function of the perioperative nurse post the courses showed greater dispersion but were not statistically significant. Results are discussed in relation to theory and previous research