Nursing Fellowship
Nursing Fellowship - Perioperative Care
Covers the full perioperative pathway from pre-operative assessment through intraoperative scrub and circulating roles to post-anaesthesia recovery. Emphasises surgical safety, instrument handling, asepsis and patient advocacy.
- typical duration
- 6 months
- estimated weekly study
- 4-6 hrs
- level
- Intermediate
- format
- Self-paced
Programme overview
Covers the full perioperative pathway from pre-operative assessment through intraoperative scrub and circulating roles to post-anaesthesia recovery. Emphasises surgical safety, instrument handling, asepsis and patient advocacy.
Across roughly 6 months, the curriculum works through 8 core areas: Pre-operative Assessment & Preparation, Aseptic Technique & Sterility, Scrub & Circulating Roles, Anaesthetic Assistance, Surgical Safety Checklist, Surgical Instruments & Equipment, Post-Anaesthesia Care and Blood & Fluid Management in Theatre. Each area combines clinician-written notes, worked examples and self-assessment so you build understanding rather than memorise in isolation.
This is a structured, self-paced learning programme rather than an accredited qualification. It is designed to consolidate knowledge and support continuing professional development; the accreditation status is pending and it does not by itself confer a licence, registration or a university degree.
Who this is for
Who this is for: RN with interest in surgical/theatre nursing. It suits clinicians who want a coherent, exam-aware framework rather than scattered resources, and who prefer to study around clinical shifts.
Level: Intermediate. Expected commitment: around 4-6 hours per week over 6 months, studied entirely online at your own pace with no fixed live sessions.
Where the knowledge transfers: the content overlaps with preparation for OT Nursing Certification and Theatre Nursing Cert. The programme is not an exam-registration route, but the concepts and clinical reasoning it builds are directly relevant to these assessments and to day-to-day practice.
Curriculum and competencies
Core areas covered
- Pre-operative Assessment & Preparation
- Aseptic Technique & Sterility
- Scrub & Circulating Roles
- Anaesthetic Assistance
- Surgical Safety Checklist
- Surgical Instruments & Equipment
- Post-Anaesthesia Care
- Blood & Fluid Management in Theatre
Learning outcomes
By completion you should be able to
- Conduct pre-operative nursing assessments and prepare patients for theatre safely and compassionately
- Demonstrate aseptic technique and maintain sterility as scrub and circulating nurse in the OR
- Assist the anaesthetic team competently including airway support, drug preparation and monitoring
- Implement the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist and lead the surgical briefing and debriefing process
- Identify and manage surgical instruments, equipment and implants across a range of specialties
- Deliver safe post-anaesthesia recovery care including airway management and pain assessment
Programme schedule
Month 1-2: Pre-operative & Aseptic Foundations
- Pre-operative Assessment & Patient Preparation
- Aseptic Technique & Sterility Maintenance
- Theatre Environment & Team Roles
- Surgical Safety Checklist & WHO Protocol
Month 3-4: Intraoperative Practice
- Scrub Nurse Role & Responsibilities
- Circulating Nurse Role & Equipment Management
- Surgical Instruments Across Specialties
- Blood, Fluid & Swab Management in Theatre
Month 5-6: Anaesthetic Assistance & Recovery
- Anaesthetic Assistance & Airway Support
- Post-Anaesthesia Care & Recovery Nursing
- Pain Assessment & Management Post-Op
- Portfolio Completion & Theatre Competency Sign-Off
How it is delivered and assessed
Every module is delivered self-paced inside the MedNext platform. You move through clinician-written notes, then reinforce each concept with flashcards, mnemonics and focused MCQs drawn from the wider MedNext question bank. There are no fixed deadlines, so you can complete the programme faster or slower than the indicative duration.
Assessment is formative and built for retention rather than gatekeeping: end-of-module self-assessment checks, progress tracking that surfaces knowledge gaps, and spaced review prompts that bring weak areas back at the right time. A reflective portfolio prompt at the end helps you record what you have covered for your own CPD log.
Frequently asked questions
Is this an accredited fellowship or a degree?
No. It is a structured, self-paced learning programme in the CPD style. Accreditation is pending and completion does not by itself grant a licence, registration or university award. It is intended to consolidate knowledge and support your professional development.
Who can enrol?
RN with interest in surgical/theatre nursing. The programme is designed to be studied around clinical work.
How long does it take and how much study is involved?
The indicative duration is 6 months, at an estimated 4-6 hours of study per week. Because it is self-paced with no fixed sessions, you can adjust this to your own schedule.
Will it help with my exams?
The content overlaps with OT Nursing Certification and Theatre Nursing Cert. It is not an exam-registration pathway, but the notes, reasoning frameworks and practice questions build knowledge that is directly relevant to these assessments.
How is it delivered and assessed?
Entirely online and self-paced within the MedNext platform, using clinician-written notes, flashcards, mnemonics and MCQs. Assessment is formative: end-of-module self-checks and progress tracking rather than a formal graded examination.
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Learn moreReview Nursing Fellowship - Perioperative Care
Explore clinician-written learning resources, structured revision and practice across the MedNext platform.
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