Operating Room Nurses Want Differentiated Education for Perioperative Competencies—Based on the Clinical Ladder

Operating room (OR) nurses’ perioperative competence is vital in operation and patient care. This cross-sectional descriptive study aimed to identify perioperative competencies and educational needs for improving competencies according to the clinical ladder. A total of 318 OR nurses in Korean tertiary hospitals were recruited. Data from the self-reported questionnaire of perioperative competencies, measured on a five-point Likert scale, were used. The average score of perioperative competence was 3.78 ± 0.54; among the sub-categories of competencies were collaboration (4.08 ± 0.55), foundational knowledge and skills (3.98 ± 0.56), proficiency (3.87 ± 0.64), empathy (3.77 ± 0.77), professional development (3.65 ± 0.64), and leadership (3.34 ± 0.89). There were significant differences in perioperative competencies according to the clinical ladder as follows: foundational knowledge and skills (p p p = 0.017), proficiency (p p p = 0.026), proficiency (p = 0.045), and professional development (p = 0.002). In order to develop an effective education program for OR nurses, differentiated education designs that reflect perioperative competencies and educational needs per clinical ladder are necessary