Expanding the Perioperative Role with RNFA Certification

Abstract

In 1989 the Operating Room Nurses Association of Canada, (ORNAC) began to explore an expanded role for perioperative nurses in the areas of perioperative nurse—anesthesia (PNA) and perioperative nurse-surgery (PNS). Three years later, ORNAC conducted an initial national survey of the current practice of perioperative nurses, and at the same time asked whether they were interested in an expanded role. To verify the data recorded, we conducted another small survey at the national conference in 1993. Both surveys supported the analysis that nurses wished for an expanded role.