AORN: Emergence and Growth

AORN Position Statement on Orientation of the Registered Nurse and Surgical Technologist to the Perioperative Setting*

“… the perioperative RN should be oriented to both the scrub and circulating roles during the orientation period, the scope of responsibility of the perioperative RN includes the scrub role as it relates to patient outcomes, the perioperative RN performing in the role of the scrub person is practicing nursing, and the perioperative RN should be oriented to his or her responsibilities in the coordination of care and delegation of specific duties of the scrub role …”

“…AORN acknowledges the long and rich history of the perioperative RN performing in the role of scrub person . Maintaining the scrub role skills can present a challenge in some facilities; however, performance in the scrub role enhances the overall competence of the perioperative RN in the circulating role.…”

“…• the perioperative RN performing in the role of the scrub person is practicing nursing, 7,8,11,12,14,[20][21][22] and…”

“…AORN acknowledges the long and rich history of the perioperative RN performing in the role of scrub person. [20][21][22] Maintaining the scrub role skills can present a challenge in some facilities; however, performance in the scrub role enhances the overall competence of the perioperative RN in the circulating role. When a perioperative RN performs in the scrub role, there must also be a perioperative RN in the circulating role for the duration of the procedure.…”

Recommended Practices: Coming to Your Neighborhood

“…During the Presidency of Patricia K. Rogers, RN (1974 to 1975), AORN, then known as the Association of Operating Room Nurses, formed a Technical Standards Committee 5,6 . Early documents that the committee developed included technical standards for aseptic technique and anesthesia equipment cleaning and processing.…”