In the perioperative environment, the safety and wellbeing of nursing staff are paramount for ensuring the delivery of high-quality, safe and sustainable health care services. Various factors contribute to the wellbeing of perioperative nurses, and significantly influence their decisions to stay in their current roles or seek employment elsewhere. The implications of high turnover rates among perioperative nurses extend beyond individual job satisfaction to encompass broader consequences for hospital systems, including compromised quality of patient care and increased operational costs.

While the existing body of research on the wellbeing of perioperative nurses is relatively limited, available findings underscore the critical importance of staff wellbeing within the health care sector. These findings highlight the urgent need for proactive initiatives to promote the wellbeing of perioperative nursing professionals.

This discussion paper aims to comprehensively explore wellbeing within the context of perioperative nursing. It will delve into the various domains and characteristics of wellbeing related to perioperative nurses, shedding light on the intricate relationship between wellbeing and turnover intentions in this specialised nursing setting. Furthermore, the paper will discuss current interventions designed to promote the wellbeing of nurses.