What Makes Perioperative Nurses Unique: A Conversation With Colleen Becker, PhD, MSN, RN, CCRN-K

Perioperative nurses play a distinct advocacy role, caring for patients at their most vulnerable moments. In this second installment of Infection Control Today^®’s interview with Colleen Becker, PhD, MSN, RN, CCRN-K, she explains that many surgical patients cannot speak for themselves due to anesthesia, making the perioperative nurse their primary voice during care.

This responsibility requires vigilance, ethical commitment, and strong communication skills. While all nurses advocate for patients, perioperative nurses uniquely safeguard safety, dignity, and infection prevention in high-risk environments. Their role underscores why education, empowerment, and support are critical to maintaining safe surgical care.

ICT: What differentiates a perioperative nurse from other nurses beyond the obvious clinical differences?

Becker: We are all nurses, and we all have a passion for nursing. Perioperative nurses care for patients when, to some extent, they are at their most vulnerable. Many patients undergo anesthesia and cannot speak for themselves. The perioperative nurse is that patient’s advocate during the perioperative period. We are there to be their voice when they can’t be, and that advocacy is a defining part of our role.