EORNA Resources & Expert Insights
The EORNA Resources Page is your go-to hub for best practices in perioperative nursing, expert insights, and the latest research shaping the future of surgical care. Here, we feature monthly opinion pieces by perioperative nursing leaders, addressing key topics such as perioperative nursing education and training, challenges in perioperative nursing care, and strategies for improving surgical patient safety guidelines.
Through these resources, perioperative nurses can stay informed on the most pressing issues in their field, from tackling workforce shortages in surgical nursing to advancing sustainability in the operating room. Whether you’re looking to enhance your skills, explore the latest research in perioperative nursing, or gain insights into reducing surgical risks through nursing expertise, our collection of blogs, research spotlights, and clinical guidelines provides the knowledge you need.
Stay connected with EORNA and continue advancing your professional development for operating room nurses. Check back regularly for updates and expert perspectives on perioperative nursing.
Blog contents
- Tackling the Gender Pay Gap in Nursing: Time for Change in the OR and Byond, by Jaana Perttunen, EORNA President
- Empowering Perioperative Nurses Through Education, by Jaana Perttunen, EORNA President
- How Perioperative Nurses Are Key to Tackling Europe’s Healthcare Workforce Crisis, by Ólafur Guðbjörn Skúlason, Vice-President
- Protecting Perioperative Teams from Surgical Smoke, by EORNA Treasurer, Manuel Valente
- Sustainability in the Operating Room – A Shared Responsibility, by Ólafur Guðbjörn Skúlason, EORNA Vice-President
- Why Fewer Young People Are Becoming Nurses (And What We Can Do About it), by Aina Hague, EORNA Secretary
- Addressing the Urgent Shortage of Perioperative Nurses in Europe, by Jaana Perttunen, EORNA President
Tackling the Gender Pay Gap in Nursing: Time for Change in the OR and Beyond
By Jaana Perttunen, EORNA President
The gender pay gap in healthcare is real. And yes, it exists even in nursing – one of the most female-dominated professions in the world.
Despite being the backbone of surgical care, perioperative nurses across Europe are still undervalued and underpaid. In 2025, that should no longer be acceptable.
Why Do Nurses Still Earn Less?
Nursing is rooted in care, compassion, and competence. But historically, it’s also been tied to outdated gender norms: caring professions are often seen as “natural” extensions of women’s roles and not paid accordingly.
Even today, data shows that male nurses consistently earn more than their female counterparts in the same roles and often climb the ranks faster. Across the EU, the average gender pay gap in health and social care hovers around 20%, according to the European Institute for Gender Equality.
Let that sink in. The people keeping operating rooms running smoothly, anticipating needs, managing crises, and protecting patient safety, are being shortchanged.
Why Are Perioperative Nurses Undervalued?
Perioperative nurses carry enormous responsibility:
- We monitor life-critical patient data in real-time
- We maintain sterility, prevent infection, and ensure the surgical team functions like a well-oiled machine
- We often take on leadership roles within the OR with little formal recognition or title
But much of this labour is invisible and often goes unrecognised in salary negotiations, job classifications, and institutional hierarchies.
It’s not about asking for more than we deserve. It’s about being paid in line with our skills, education, and the critical roles we play in surgical outcomes.
Policies That Work: What Needs to Change
Tackling the gender pay gap in perioperative nursing requires both structural and cultural shifts. Here are five key areas that healthcare leaders, institutions, and policymakers must address:
- Transparent Pay Scales
Institutions must publish salary bands and pay structures, so nurses know what to expect and what to question. - Recognition of Clinical Specialisation
Perioperative nursing is a specialist field. Formal recognition of advanced practice roles can, and should, translate to better pay. - Leadership Pathways for Nurses
Too often, career advancement requires leaving the clinical floor. Systems should reward nurses who choose to lead from the OR. - Regular Pay Equity Audits
Institutions should conduct routine reviews to identify gender and role-based discrepancies and act on them. - Inclusion at Decision-Making Tables
Nurses, especially perioperative nurses, must have a voice in pay and policy discussions. No decisions about us, without us.
How Can Perioperative Nurses Advocate for Change?
It can feel daunting to push back against systemic issues, but we are not powerless. Here’s how perioperative nurses can take the lead:
- Know Your Value: Keep track of your training, skills, outcomes, and responsibilities. Use data in conversations about pay.
- Join Professional Networks: National nursing associations are a powerful way to support collective action, share resources, and build leadership. EORNA membership is open to national associations rather than individuals, but when your national association joins EORNA, it helps ensure your voice is represented at the European level. Encourage your national organisation to become a member so perioperative nurses across Europe are heard loud and clear.
- Support One Another: Talk openly with peers about pay. Share resources. Mentor junior nurses to negotiate from day one.
- Speak Up in the Workplace: Participate in staff forums, committees, or policy reviews. Advocate for fair practices.
- Push for Policy Change: Where possible, engage with national nursing organisations and lobby for legislation that supports equal pay.
Final Thoughts: Equal Pay Is Not a Luxury
Fair pay isn’t just about personal compensation, it’s about respect, retention, and recognition.
When perioperative nurses are undervalued, it sends the wrong message: that our safety-critical work is expendable. That our expertise is optional. That our dedication is taken for granted.
EORNA believes that must change.
It’s time for institutions, policymakers, and the public to close the gap, not just in pay, but in how we value nursing work in operating rooms across Europe.
🔗 Join the Conversation
📣 Share this blog, tag a colleague, or start a discussion using #EqualPayNursing
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Empowering Perioperative Nurses Through Education
By Jaana Perttunen, EORNA President
In the dynamic and high-stakes world of the operating room, staying current isn’t optional – it’s essential. For perioperative nurses, continuous learning is not just about professional development; it’s about ensuring the highest standards of patient safety and care. At EORNA, we believe that empowered, well-educated nurses are at the heart of every successful surgical team.
Why Ongoing Education Matters in the OR
Perioperative nursing is a specialised field that demands both technical expertise and clinical precision. As surgical techniques, technologies, and protocols evolve, so too must the knowledge and skills of those supporting them. Continuing education ensures that nurses:
- Maintain and improve clinical competence
- Stay updated on evidence-based practices
- Enhance patient outcomes and safety
- Strengthen their leadership and critical thinking capabilities
For many perioperative nurses, however, access to consistent, high-quality education remains a challenge. That’s where EORNA steps in.
EORNA’s Role in Advancing Perioperative Nursing Education
One of EORNA’s core missions is to standardise and promote high-quality perioperative education across Europe. We support nurses at every stage of their careers—from new professionals building foundational skills to experienced OR nurses seeking to expand their expertise.
EORNA works to:
- Harmonise perioperative education standards across member countries through the EORNA Core Curriculum
- Promote accredited, evidence-based learning opportunities such as webinars, e-learning, and workshop
- Recognise educational excellence through the EORNA ACE (Accreditation of Continuing Education) programme
- Partner with national associations and industry sponsors to broaden access to training and certifications
Spotlight: New Learning Opportunities
This year, EORNA is proud to support a growing number of continuing education resources, including:
- New accredited online courses developed with our corporate partners—covering critical topics like latex allergy awareness, infection control, and surgical smoke safety
- Country-specific training modules tailored to the needs of national associations
- Workshops and webinars aligned with the EORNA Core Curriculum
These initiatives help perioperative nurses build the skills they need to respond to real-time challenges in the OR – whether managing complex surgical instruments, ensuring infection prevention, or adapting to the latest innovations in minimally invasive procedures.
Looking Ahead
As we move toward the next EORNA Congress in Dubrovnik in 2026, education will remain at the heart of our vision. By investing in perioperative nursing education, we are not only supporting nurses’ professional journeys – but we are also protecting patients, improving surgical outcomes, and building stronger healthcare systems across Europe.
At EORNA, we don’t just advocate for lifelong learning. We make it possible.
Want to stay ahead in your perioperative nursing career?
Explore EORNA’s educational offerings and see how we can support your journey: https://eorna.eu/activities/
How Perioperative Nurses Are Key to Tackling Europe’s Healthcare Workforce Crisis
By Ólafur Guðbjörn Skúlason, Vice-President and EORNA Board member from ISORNA (Iceland)
A Crisis in Numbers: What the OECD Tells Us
The OECD’s Health at a Glance: Europe 2024 report reveals a growing crisis: healthcare systems across Europe are under strain due to workforce shortages and burnout. Recruitment and retention are particularly difficult in high-pressure environments like the operating theatre. While the number of nurses has increased in some regions, demand continues to outpace supply, threatening surgical capacity and patient outcomes.
The Invisible Backbone: Perioperative Nurses in Crisis
Perioperative nurses are vital to safe, effective surgical care, yet their roles are often overlooked in workforce planning. Their specialised skills and high-stress environment require targeted support. When surgical teams are short-staffed, risks rise, and hospital efficiency suffers.
Burnout in the OR: Why Retention Is Critical
Burnout is at record levels, and perioperative nurses are especially vulnerable. The loss of experienced staff impacts team cohesion and patient safety. EORNA supports improved mental health resources, peer programs, and ongoing professional development to retain this critical workforce.
Investing in Surgical Teams for Resilience
OECD recommendations call for stronger investment in workforce resilience. For surgical services, this includes:
- Safe staffing ratios
- Support for perioperative education
- Mental health services
- Flexible work and return-to-practice options
Initiatives in countries like my own country, Iceland and the Netherlands offer models to follow.
EORNA’s Role and Recommendations
EORNA advocates for recognising perioperative nurses in national strategies. We recommend:
- Including perioperative roles in workforce data
- Funding surgical nurse retention initiatives
- Supporting international perioperative education
- Ensuring perioperative voices in health policy
Join the Conversation
Explore EORNA’s resources and help strengthen Europe’s surgical workforce.
#PerioperativeNursing #HealthcareWorkforceCrisis #EORNABlog #NurseRetention #ORNurses #OECDHealth2024 #SurgicalSafety #HealthcareResilience
Protecting Perioperative Teams from Surgical Smoke
By EORNA Treasurer, Manuel Valente
Surgical smoke is an invisible but critical occupational hazard that many perioperative nurses and surgical teams face daily. With over 500,000 healthcare professionals exposed to surgical smoke each year in Europe, it’s time to take stronger action to protect all professionals and patients.
The Hidden Dangers of Surgical Smoke
During electrosurgery, laser surgery, and other energy-based procedures, surgical smoke is created from tissue destruction. This airborne byproduct contains toxic chemicals, bacteria, viruses, and carcinogenic substances, making it a major health risk. Studies show that inhaling just one day of unfiltered surgical smoke is equivalent to smoking 30 unfiltered cigarettes. Yet, despite the risks, surgical smoke evacuation is not yet a standard practice in many European hospitals.
EORNA’s Commitment to Safer ORs
At EORNA, we are committed to advocating for smoke-free operating rooms. We have partnered with the Surgical Smoke Coalition to push for EU policy changes that will make smoke evacuation systems a standard in every OR. Additionally, we are developing a positioning paper that highlights the dangers of surgical smoke and provides clear recommendations for perioperative teams and hospital leaders to implement best practices.
What Can You Do?
🚨 Advocate for Change: Raise awareness among all healthcare communities and hospital leadership about the risks of surgical smoke and sign the Surgical Smoke Pledge here.
💨 Use Smoke Evacuation Systems: Ensure that appropriate filtration and evacuation systems are in place and consistently used.
📢 Support Policy Implementation: Encourage your hospital to adopt and enforce mandatory surgical smoke evacuation policies.
Perioperative nurses must take a stand to protect themselves and their teams. No one should have to sacrifice their health for their profession, considering the unethical condition. Together, we can make smoke-free ORs the standard, not the exception.
#SurgicalSmokeFreeOR #PerioperativeNursing #NursesHealth #EORNA #SurgicalSmokeCoalition #Stryker #PatientSafety
Sustainability in the Operating Room – A Shared Responsibility
By EORNA Vice-President, Ólafur Guðbjörn Skúlason
Sustainability in healthcare is no longer a choice—it’s a necessity. As perioperative nurses, we are on the frontline of patient care, but we must also recognize our role in reducing the environmental impact of operating rooms (ORs). Hospitals generate a significant amount of waste and consume vast resources, and the OR is one of the most resource-intensive areas. But small changes in our daily practice can make a big difference.
The OR’s Environmental Challenge
Did you know that the healthcare sector is responsible for nearly 5% of global carbon emissions? A significant portion of this comes from surgery-related activities, including single-use plastics, disposable surgical instruments, and high energy consumption. The challenge is clear: how can we maintain the highest standards of patient care while reducing our environmental footprint?
Sustainable Actions in the OR
🌿 Reduce Single-Use Plastics: Opt for reusable surgical gowns, drapes, and instrument sets where safe and feasible.
💡 Conserve Energy: Use energy-efficient lighting, optimize heating and cooling, and power down equipment when not in use.
♻️ Improve Waste Segregation: Proper disposal of medical waste can significantly reduce landfill contributions.
🏥 Advocate for Green Procurement: Support suppliers that prioritize sustainable production and eco-friendly packaging.
Nurses as Sustainability Champions
Perioperative nurses can lead the way by raising awareness, optimizing supply usage, and pushing for sustainability initiatives within their hospitals. It starts with small, simple actions, but together, we can drive meaningful change.
At EORNA, we believe in supporting practical solutions for greener healthcare. That’s why we are proud to partner with Ansell in launching the new EORNA-Ansell Sustainability Fund—a key initiative to spark conversations and drive real action towards more sustainable operating rooms. This fund aims to support innovative projects that will shape the future of environmentally responsible perioperative care. For information on the fun, go here.
#SustainableHealthcare #GreenOR #PerioperativeNursing #EORNA #SurgicalSustainability #Ansell #EORNAnsellFund
Why Fewer Young People Are Becoming Nurses (And What We Can Do About It)
By Aina Hague, EORNA Secretary
Nursing has long been a cornerstone of healthcare, yet across Europe, we are facing an alarming crisis: fewer young people are choosing nursing as a career. The OECD’s latest findings paint a worrying picture—by 2030, many European countries may not have enough nurses to meet demand. For perioperative nursing, where specialized skills are essential, the impact could be even more severe.
The Decline in New Nurses: What’s Happening?
Several factors are discouraging young people from entering the profession:
⚠️ Workload & Burnout: Long shifts, high stress, and mental exhaustion make nursing a challenging career choice.
💰 Low Wages: In many countries, nurse salaries have not kept pace with the increasing demands of the job.
📉 Lack of Career Progression: Many young professionals seek roles with clear pathways for advancement, something nursing does not always offer.
🏥 Difficult Work Conditions: Understaffed hospitals, exposure to workplace violence, and limited resources make daily life for nurses even harder.
How Can We Attract & Retain Perioperative Nurses?
👩⚕️ Stronger Career Pathways: Developing clear professional growth opportunities, including advanced roles in perioperative nursing.
📚 Better Training & Mentorship: Investing in structured education programs, preceptorships, and support systems for new nurses.
💶 Competitive Salaries & Benefits: Improving financial incentives to reflect the critical role nurses play in patient care.
🏥 Safer Work Environments: Implementing policies that protect nurses from burnout, ensure proper staffing, and address workplace safety concerns.
What Governments & Hospitals Must Do
European governments and healthcare institutions must act now to secure the future of nursing. Investment in education, working conditions, and retention strategies is vital. Without these changes, the risk of widespread nurse shortages will continue to threaten healthcare systems across Europe.
📢 Read the full OECD report on nursing shortages here.
It’s time to make nursing an attractive, sustainable career again—because the future of healthcare depends on it.
#NursingCrisis #PerioperativeNursing #NursingShortage #FutureOfNursing #EORNA #HealthcarePolicy #SupportNurses
Addressing the Urgent Shortage of Perioperative Nurses in Europe
By EORNA President, Jaana Perttunen
The European healthcare system is facing an unprecedented challenge: a severe and growing shortage of nurses. Nowhere is this more critical than in perioperative nursing, where skilled professionals are essential to ensuring patient safety, surgical efficiency, and high-quality outcomes. As President of EORNA, I want to highlight the urgency of this crisis and explore potential solutions to safeguard the future of our profession.
A Workforce Under Pressure
Recent findings from the OECD’s Health at a Glance: Europe 2024 report underscore the gravity of the situation. While the demand for healthcare services continues to rise, the supply of trained nurses is struggling to keep pace. High levels of burnout, increased workloads, and an aging workforce are exacerbating the problem, leading to an exodus of experienced nurses from the field.
In perioperative nursing, these shortages have a direct impact on patient care. Operating rooms rely on highly specialized teams, and when hospitals lack adequate staff, it leads to surgical delays, increased stress on remaining personnel, and higher risks for both patients and providers.
Why Are Nurses Leaving?
Several factors contribute to the declining numbers of perioperative nurses:
- Workplace stress and burnout – The high-pressure nature of surgical nursing, combined with staff shortages, leads to fatigue and dissatisfaction.
- Lack of incentives – Competitive salaries and career development opportunities vary widely across Europe, making retention difficult.
- Aging workforce – Many experienced nurses are retiring, and there are not enough younger professionals entering the field to replace them.
What Can Be Done?
To address these challenges, EORNA advocates for:
✅ Investing in education and training – More funding is needed for specialized perioperative nursing programs to attract new professionals.
✅ Improving working conditions – Hospitals must prioritize staff well-being, ensuring safe workloads and mental health support.
✅ Strengthening recruitment and retention strategies – Competitive salaries, career development opportunities, and mentorship programs can encourage nurses to stay in the profession.
The Role of EORNA
EORNA is committed to advocating for perioperative nurses at the European level. We are working closely with policymakers, professional organizations, and healthcare institutions to develop solutions that ensure a sustainable workforce.
We need action now to secure the future of perioperative nursing. I invite all nurses, hospital leaders, and policymakers to join this critical conversation. Together, we can build a healthcare system that supports and values its nursing workforce.