Nurse Integration Programmes in the Operating Room

The integration of nurses into the Operating Room constitutes a critical and particularly demanding process due to the technical complexity of perioperative care, high levels of specialisation, multiprofessional teamwork, and the inherent patient safety risks associated with this clinical environment. Nurses entering the Operating Room—whether newly qualified graduates or experienced professionals transitioning from other clinical settings—frequently encounter challenges related to adaptation to the physical environment, acquisition of technical and non-technical skills, understanding of organisational culture, and management of occupational stress. Accordingly, a scoping review is warranted to systematically map the available scientific evidence concerning nurse integration programmes or models within the Operating Room, clarify conceptual frameworks, identify key components and research gaps, and support the future development of evidence-informed practice in this highly specialised context.