European Perioperative Nursing Day

European Perioperative Nursing Day is observed annually on February 15. Established by the European Operating Room Nurses Association (EORNA), this day recognizes the specialized healthcare professionals who provide care to patients before, during, and after surgical procedures. It serves to highlight the high standards of safety, technical skill, and emotional support that these nurses provide in the high-pressure environment of the operating theatre. ¹

History of European Perioperative Nursing Day

The holiday was officially established in 2005 by EORNA, an organization founded in 1980 to unify perioperative standards across Europe. The association created the day to provide a formal platform for operating room nurses to share their professional achievements and to increase the visibility of their role within the healthcare system. While the profession of surgical nursing began to formalize in the late 19th century as medical science advanced, it remained a largely “invisible” specialty to the general public because it takes place within restricted hospital areas.

The choice of February 15 as the fixed date allows for a synchronized celebration across all member nations, including countries like Belgium, France, Greece, and Norway. Since its inception, the day has evolved from a simple recognition event into a week-long series of educational activities, webinars, and public awareness campaigns. Each year, EORNA selects a specific theme—such as sustainability or digital innovation—to guide the discussions and help standardized practices evolve alongside new surgical technologies and patient safety protocols.

Why is European Perioperative Nursing Day important?

This day is vital because it brings attention to a critical link in the surgical safety chain. Perioperative nurses are responsible for complex tasks including sterile field maintenance, instrument management, and intensive patient monitoring while an individual is under anesthesia. By highlighting these responsibilities, the day helps the public and hospital administrations understand that these nurses are not just assistants, but highly trained specialists whose vigilance prevents infections, errors, and postoperative complications.

The celebration also addresses the professional challenges within the field, such as staffing shortages and the physical demands of long hours in the operating room. It encourages professional growth by promoting standardized European curricula and certification programs. For the nurses themselves, the day fosters a sense of unity and pride, acknowledging the mental and emotional toll of handling life-critical situations daily. This recognition is essential for retaining skilled staff and attracting new nursing students to the perioperative specialty.

• It showcases the specialized technical skills required for modern surgical care.
• The day promotes the implementation of the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist.
• It raises awareness about the importance of infection control in the operating room.
• The event provides a platform for nurses to advocate for better working conditions.
• It strengthens the professional identity of surgical nurses across different borders.

How to Celebrate European Perioperative Nursing Day

Healthcare facilities typically celebrate by hosting small receptions or “open house” events where perioperative teams can explain their work to other hospital staff. Many nursing teams participate by creating educational posters or digital presentations that showcase the different phases of perioperative care: preoperative preparation, intraoperative assistance, and postoperative recovery. Recently, social media has become a major hub for celebration, with nurses sharing photos of their teams in surgical scrubs using official hashtags to connect with colleagues across Europe.

Professional development is another common way to mark the occasion. Many national associations organize seminars or workshops that focus on the year’s specific theme, allowing nurses to earn continuing education credits. On a more personal level, patients and their families often use the day to send notes of thanks to the teams who cared for them during their surgeries. Schools and universities may also host guest speakers from the perioperative field to inspire students to consider a career in the operating theatre.

• Participate in local hospital events that honor the surgical nursing team.
• Share educational infographics about surgical safety on social media platforms.
• Attend a specialized webinar to learn about new trends in perioperative care.
• Wear a badge or pin to show pride in the perioperative nursing profession.
• Write a message of appreciation to a colleague or mentor in the surgical field.

European Perioperative Nursing Day Dates Table

1. https://eorna.eu/activities/epnd/[↩]