Work-Related Experiences and Challenges of Perioperative Nurses in Southwestern Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Perioperative nursing is highly demanding due to the long hours of complex procedures, limited support, inadequate facilities, and staffing issues. These factors contribute to fatigue, frustration, and burnout. However, there is a paucity of data on challenges and experiences of perioperative nurses in Southwestern Nigeria.Purpose: This study explored work-related experiences and challenges of perioperative nurses in selected hospitals in in a south western state, Nigeria.Methods: This study adopted a qualitative phenomenological design. Twenty perioperative nurses that have spent minimum of six months in the operating theatres of the three public hospitals selected hospitals were purposively selected for the study. Data collection was done with through semi-structured interview using key informant interview guide. The qualitative data collected were transcribed verbatim, coded and analysed using content and thematic analysis.Results: The study identified two major themes: the experiences of perioperative nursing practitioners and the challenges faced in perioperative nursing practice. The findings highlighted perioperative nurses’ personal experiences, their motivational factors, and their professional aspirations. Additionally, the study uncovered several challenges, including inadequate infrastructure and equipment, obsolete theatre buildings, faulty and insufficient surgical instruments, a severe shortage of perioperative nurses, and underfunding of perioperative nursing services.Conclusion:The study concluded that perioperative nurses’ experiences were both educative and fulfilling, yet also challenging and frustrating due to the numerous obstacles they face in their professional roles. Therefore, there is a need for stakeholders to address these challenges to enable perioperative nurses to function optimally and improve outcomes for surgical patients.