Our Surgical and Theatre Nursing Practical Workshop in Sydney brought together veterinary nurses for an immersive day focused on the skills that make a confident, capable surgical nurse. The day was led by Anita Parkin, VTS (Anaesthesia & Analgesia).
The day began with the foundations. Attendees worked through the steps and protocols for preparing patients for surgery, then moved on to how the operating theatre is organised and scheduled. A detailed session on surgical instruments and equipment gave everyone a closer look at what’s used in the OR and why.
From there, the focus moved to patient safety during surgery. The group explored common surgical complications and what they mean for a patient’s anaesthesia. Discussion kept returning to one point: detecting complications early and managing them well is key to a smooth surgical experience.
The final part of the day covered post-operative care, using real-world cases that often challenge surgical teams:
- Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS)
- Orthopaedic procedures
- Spinal surgeries
- Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV)
Attendees left with practical knowledge they could take straight back to their clinics, and a stronger understanding of the varied role of the surgical nurse.
Thank you to Anita for leading such an engaging and informative day, and to all the nurses who took part. Your curiosity and willingness to share your own experiences made the day what it was.
Surgical and Theatre Nursing Practical Workshop AU (August 2026)
