Influence of Perioperative Nursing Experiences on Clinical Nurses’ Career Development

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the influence of perioperative nursing experience on career development of clinical nurses. Methods: Data were generated through semi-structured formal interviews with 11 clinical nurses. The nurses were assigned to an operating room as new graduates and had more than 3 years of perioperative nursing experience. Following this, they worked in a department outside an operating room. The contents of interviews were analyzed qualitatively. Results: Eight categories emerged from the data analysis: considering a different career path by perioperative nursing experience, making use of nursing knowledge and techniques learned in the operating room in a new ward, anticipating situations in advance, acting imperturbably regardless of the situation, experiencing difficulty and lacking the skills needed at the time of job rotation, lacking confidence in other areas of nursing at the time of job rotation, striving to overcome the difficulties of working in a new ward, and experiencing growth as a nurse as a result of job rotation. Conclusion: Nurses with perioperative nursing experience considered their career path based on their experiences in the operating room. They faced difficulties at the time of job rotation because their experience was limited to the operating room. However, their experience was also a strength that they could use in other areas of nursing and had a positive influence on their subsequent work.