Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40457866›Full record

ArticleThe Canadian journal of nursing research = Revue canadienne de recherche en sciences infirmieres2025

Optimizing the Role of Registered Practical Nurses in the Operating Room: A Two-Phase Qualitative Descriptive Study.

Sherry Espin, Sue Bookey-Bassett, Alyssa Indar, Victoria Pringle, Don Rose, Elaine Santa Mina, Juliette Teodoro

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Article in The Canadian journal of nursing research = Revue canadienne de recherche en sciences infirmieres, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Sherry EspinToronto Metropolitan University, Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing, Toronto, ON, Canada.ORCID 0000-0002-5640-5117
Sue Bookey-BassettToronto Metropolitan University, Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing, Toronto, ON, Canada.ORCID 0000-0003-1169-6309
Alyssa IndarToronto Metropolitan University, Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing, Toronto, ON, Canada.ORCID 0000-0002-4039-8127
Victoria PringleToronto Metropolitan University, Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing, Toronto, ON, Canada.ORCID 0009-0009-6767-3174
Don RoseToronto Metropolitan University, Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Elaine Santa MinaToronto Metropolitan University, Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing, Toronto, ON, Canada.ORCID 0000-0002-1722-2529
Juliette TeodoroToronto Metropolitan University, Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing, Toronto, ON, Canada.ORCID 0009-0005-7351-3450

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

BackgroundCurrent nursing shortages are shifting approaches to health human resource planning. Broad changes are being implemented to support system planning, however, there is a need to engage in targeted strategies that address shortages in specialty nursing areas, such as the operating room.PurposeThe purpose of this study was to explore how Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs) are currently utilized within operating room settings in Ontario, Canada.MethodsA two-phase qualitative descriptive study design was conducted. Phase 1 consisted of an online survey and Phase 2 consisted of individual, semi-structured virtual interviews. Participants included nurses working in urban and community hospitals and/or private clinics. Descriptive statistics were used to report participant demographic data, and qualitative data were analyzed using inductive content analysis.ResultsSixty-five participants completed the survey, and 13 participants completed the semi-structured interviews. Participants identified differences in RPN role utilization within different healthcare settings, teamwork and work culture. Recommendations for RPN leadership opportunities, policy support, professional development, and the role of professional nursing organizations were also identified.ConclusionGiven the complex nature of healthcare systems, new models of care, and evolving scopes of practice for healthcare providers, it is important to consider how RPNs can be further utilized to support patient care including specialty areas. Re-evaluating the roles and responsibilities of RPNs in healthcare is essential to strengthen the nursing workforce and prepare for ongoing human resource challenges.

Indexed as

Licensed Practical NursesNurse's RoleOperating RoomsAdultFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedOntarioQualitative ResearchSurveys and Questionnaireshealth human resource planningoperating roomRegistered practical nursesrole utilizationscope of practice

Identifiers

PMID40457866
PMCPMC12589658

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.