The need to define practice, set competencies and provide theoretical content to underpin those competencies for professionals working in Anaesthetic and Recovery units remains urgent.  

Four documents published in the last few years have been used by BARNA to inform our Competency Based  Learning and Teaching Resources.
1.Perioperative Care Collaborative National Core Curriculum for Perioperative Nursing. 
​This document was developed in 2017 and provides a framework on which to develop a full curriculum for perioperative nursing.
The list of competencies in Appendix C and D are very useful:
  • List of competencies for Anaesthetic Practice Clinical Statements [9.3 : Appendix C : page 60]
  • Perioperative Post-Anaesthetic Practice Clinical Statements [9.4: Appendix D : page 64]
2.UK National Core Competencies for Post-anaesthesia Care 2013 [Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain  : AAGBI]
In 2013 the AAGBI published the first national set of core competencies for post anaesthetic care.  BARNA contributed to this document. This provides specific competencies for Post Anaesthetic Care Nursing and has shaped the Competency Based Learning and Teaching Resources BARNA is developing.
3.ASPAN :  A Competency-Based Orientation Programme for the Registered Nurse in the Perianesthesia Setting – 2019 Edition 
‘This is a comprehensive guide to support competency and skill development for perianesthesia nurses. Written and peer-reviewed by perianesthesia experts, this manual outlines essential performance criteria to be utilized in the orientation process of the nurse new to perianesthesia care, a reference of best practices for the veteran nurse, and a source of annual clinical updates for the entire perianesthesia nursing staff’.   Taken from ASPAN Website

This is a comprehensive and very detailed competency framework which supports the ASPAN Curriculum.
4.ASPAN : PeriAnesthesia Nursing Care Curriculum 4th Edition Elsevier March 2020
This excellent resource provides a comprehensive, detailed curriculum for all aspects of post
anaesthetic nursing care, a product from ASPAN, the world’s leading Post Anaesthetic Care Society.