Perioperative Nurses Week
Perioperative Nurses Week runs from November 8 to 14 in 2026. It recognizes nurses who care for patients before, during and after surgery. Their work spans the operating room and other surgical settings, where careful preparation, close teamwork and attention to each patient’s needs support safe care.
How the week started
According to the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN), the observance began in 1979 as OR Nurse Day. AORN established it to educate the public about perioperative nurses and highlight the clinical expertise, critical thinking and advocacy their work requires. It later expanded into OR Nurse Week, then became Perioperative Nurses Week in 2000.
What perioperative nurses do
“Perioperative” refers to the period around an operation: before it begins, while it’s underway and during recovery. Nurses may work in preoperative assessment, the operating room, post-anesthesia care or other areas connected to surgery. Their duties vary by role and setting, but they share a focus on patient safety and clear communication.
Before surgery, nurses may review a patient’s information, help prepare them for the procedure and answer questions. In the operating room, some nurses coordinate the flow of care, while others manage sterile instruments and supplies or assist the surgical team. Afterward, nurses monitor patients as they wake from anesthesia, assess their condition and help address their immediate care needs.
That work calls for both technical knowledge and a steady, attentive manner. Nurses must keep track of details, follow safety procedures and communicate with surgeons, anesthesiologists and other health professionals. They also help patients and families understand what to expect at a time that can feel unfamiliar or stressful.
Why recognition matters
Surgery depends on a team, and perioperative nurses are an important part of that team. Their care often begins before a patient reaches the operating room and continues after the procedure is over. The week offers hospitals, clinics and communities a chance to recognize this work and learn more about the people who provide it.
It’s also a useful time to consider the less visible parts of surgical care. Preparing equipment, checking details and passing along accurate information may happen outside a patient’s view, but these tasks support the coordinated care that surgery requires. Recognition can be simple and personal: a note of thanks, a staff appreciation board or a short introduction to the work of perioperative nursing.
Ways to take part
- Thank a perioperative nurse you know. A brief, specific message about how they helped can mean a lot.
- Ask a local hospital or surgical center whether it has plans for the week. Some workplaces share staff profiles, host educational displays or recognize their teams internally.
- Share a clear explanation of what perioperative nurses do with friends, family or coworkers. This can help people understand that surgical nursing includes preparation, operating-room care and recovery.
- If you’re preparing for surgery, write down your questions and bring them to your care team. Nurses can explain what to expect and help direct you to the right person for answers.
- For students considering nursing, explore perioperative nursing through a school counselor, nursing program or professional association such as AORN.
This page is for general awareness and isn't medical advice. For questions about your own health, talk to a doctor or other healthcare professional.
When is Perioperative Nurses Week?
Perioperative Nurses Week: Every year on the second Sunday of November.
| Year | Date | Day of the week |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | November 8 – November 14 | Sunday – Saturday |
| 2027 | November 14 – November 20 | Sunday – Saturday |
| 2028 | November 12 – November 18 | Sunday – Saturday |
| 2029 | November 11 – November 17 | Sunday – Saturday |
| 2030 | November 10 – November 16 | Sunday – Saturday |
Reviewed by the Holiday List editorial team on November 4, 2026 · Last updated November 4, 2026.
Frequently asked questions
When is Perioperative Nurses Week in 2026?
Perioperative Nurses Week is on Sunday, November 8, 2026. After that, it falls on Sunday, November 14, 2027. Every year on the second Sunday of November.
Is Perioperative Nurses Week a public holiday?
No. Perioperative Nurses Week is an observance, not an official public holiday, so schools and businesses stay open as usual.
How did Perioperative Nurses Week begin?
AORN established the observance in 1979 as OR Nurse Day to educate the public about perioperative nurses and their work. It later became OR Nurse Week, then took the name Perioperative Nurses Week in 2000.
How can people take part in Perioperative Nurses Week?
Thank a perioperative nurse with a specific message, or ask a local hospital or surgical center about its plans. You can also share what perioperative nurses do before, during and after surgery.
Sources
✓ Date matches AORN: Perioperative Nurses Week (checked automatically on November 4, 2026).
