About the College
Purpose
The specific functions of the Perioperative Nurses College of the New Zealand Nurses Organisation are to:
- Provide nursing leadership and strategic direction for Perioperative Nurses
- Develop and maintain professional standards for Perioperative Nursing
- Develop and co-ordinate education programmes for Perioperative Nurses
- Promote the value of Perioperative Nursing and Perioperative Nurses
- Represent the specialty of Perioperative Nursing both nationally and internationally
- Provide a professional support network
Key Goals
- Maintenance of Perioperative Nursing College Status
- Establish a national education programme for Perioperative Nurses
- Establish an accreditation process for Perioperative Nurses
- Promote the Perioperative Nurses College to Perioperative nurses and increase the membership
Mission Statement
The Perioperative Continuum
The concept of the Perioperative Continuum is vital to ensure continuity of care for patients undergoing surgery - this is the patient's right. It encompasses the three phases of the patient's surgical experience, in which all nurses in the surgical continuum are involved.
The perioperative phase commences with the patient's decision to have surgery and ends at induction (of anaesthetic); the Intraoperative phase is the time from the patient's induction until extubation and/or transfer from the operating table; and the Postoperative phase commences with the patient's transfer from the operating room to the Recovery room and continues until discharge from hospital and/or health team care.
It is important to differentiate between the Perioperative continuum and the Perioperative role, which involves the operating room nurse who participates in all phases (pre-, Intra-, and Post-operative) of the continuum. (Jones 1985)
The Perioperative Nurses College of NZNO is dedicated to promoting, protecting and furthering the interests of all Perioperative Nurses - economically, socially and professionally.
The Perioperative Nurses College promotes Perioperative Nursing through knowledge, understanding and fellowship. It promotes high standards of nursing practice through education and research.
We support
- NZNO Standards of Nursing Practice 1993
- International Federation of Perioperative Nurses (IFPN) vision and direction
- Principles of Treaty of Waitangi - partnership, protection and participation - are reflected in perioperative nursing practice
We believe that
- Perioperative Nursing is integral to the safe care of the patient throughout the perioperative process
- It is the right of every person to receive the highest quality of individualized patient focused care
- All nursing care should be give by appropriately qualified nursing staff
- "Best practice" standards must underpin all perioperative nursing care
Publications
Standards and Guidelines of Safe Practice for Perioperative Nurses in NZ - $60 (inc GST)
The Standards are to be revised 2003
For copies of the PNC strategic plan and the above publications contact pnc.sec@xtra.co.nz
Subcommittees
Education Working Party
Development of Education Policy, Philosophy and Education Standards.
Development of Post Graduate Course at Massey University.
Review of some Standards of Safe Practice.
Reviewing of Guidelines to Orientation
Dissector Editorial Committee
Receives articles, edits and selects those suitable for publication in the Dissector.
Standards Review Committee
Ad hoc - from Wellington Region - Developed terms of reference for a review process to update the Standards of Safe Practice for Perioperative Nurses in NZ.
Membership
For details about membership please contact the National Secretary or download and complete the form below.
Membership Form(pdf).
