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Champions of Care: Perianesthesia Nurse Week


Nurse in blue scrubs and mask adjusts IV bag in a hospital setting. Text: Champions of Care - Perianesthesia Nurse Week.

Each year, approximately 310 million surgeries are performed globally, with 40 to 50 million in the United States and 20 million in Europe (Dobson, 2020). Some of the most common surgeries performed in the U.S. are appendectomy, breast biopsy, carotid endarterectomy, cataract surgery, cesarean section, and cholecystectomy (John Hopkins, 2025). With that many surgical procedures occurring each year, the number of nurses needed to care for these patients is staggering. These dedicated professional registered nurses work in preanesthesia and postanesthesia care, ambulatory surgery, and pain management. So this week don’t forget to take an extra minute to recognize their good work and offer them thanks for the quality care they deliver every shift. 


What do Perianesthesia Nurses do?


Before Surgery:

  • Verify that the patient followed all pre-operative instructions such as diet restrictions and smoking cessation

  • Provide education and support to the patient and family

  • Ensure consents are signed

  • Implement pre-op orders such as starting an IV, and administering pre-medications

  • Prepare for transport to the operating room


After Surgery:

  • Assess and Manage

    • Vital signs, especially respiratory status

    • Level of Consciousness

    • Fluid status

    • Pain level

    • Surgical site

    • Nausea management

    • Educate on post-op care



Certification for Perianesethesia


Did you know that there is a certification for this type of nursing? Certification is a way to demonstrate one’s expertise in this care area. The two types of certification are certified ambulatory perianesthesia nurse (CAPA) and certified postanesthesia phase I (CPAN). The American Board of Perianesthesia Nursing Certification (ABPANC), Inc., is the certification organization for perianesthesia nurses earning their CPAN® and/or CAPA® credentials. ABPANC is solely responsible for developing and administrating the CPAN® and CAPA® certification programs.


To qualify for either the CPAN or CAPA, the nurse must show proof of the following:

  1. Current RN License

  2. Within the past two years prior to the application, the nurse must have at least 1,200 hours of direct clinical experience


For Dual Certification, the nurse must show proof of the following:

  1. Current RN License

  2. At least 1,200 hours of direct clinical experience with patients in preanesthesia phase, postanesthesia phase II, and/or extended care

  3. At least 1,200 hours of direct clinical experience with patients in postanesthesia phase I

(ABPANC, 2025)


American Society of Perianesthesia Nurses website

For more information on perianesthesia nursing, check out the American Society of Perianesthesia Nurses website (https://www.aspan.org/Home). It is a great resource for those interested in this area of care and if you join it provides its members with the latest in perianesthesia education, research, clinical practice expertise, standards, and advocacy. 


On the website under Clinical Practice, ASPAN has posted its Position Statements on different topics. If you remember a position statement is a brief document about a subject that an organization declares outlining their viewpoint, with supportive rationale. A position statement we want to highlight is  A Position Statement on Clinician Well-Being in the Perianesthesia Setting. It is so important that the nurses' well-being related to their health, work environment, and the organization be in balance, offering the highest respect and collaborative practice.


Perianesthesia Nurses Week!


Perianesthesia nurses are the unsung heroes of patient care, providing unwavering clinical support, vigilance, and compassion during the preanesthesia and postanesthesia. Their expertise ensures safety, their kindness eases anxiety, and their dedication comforts patients and families alike. As we recognize their invaluable contributions, let’s take a moment to express our gratitude for their hard work, resilience, and the care they show every patient they serve. To all perianesthesia nurses—thank you for your commitment, your skill, and your heart. The difference you make is immeasurable.




Reference


American Board of Perianesthesia Nursing Certification. (2025). Which exam is right for you. ABPANC. https://www.cpancapa.org/



Dobson G. P. (2020). Trauma of major surgery: A global problem that is not going away. International journal of surgery (London, England), 81, 47–54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsu.2020.07.017


John Hopkins Medicine. (2025). Health: Common surgical procedures. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/common-surgical-procedures


McCoy, A. (2024). Perianesthesia nurse career overview. Nursing Education. https://nursingeducation.org/careers/perianesthesia-nurse/

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