BUCKHANNON, W.Va. —  St. Joseph’s Hospital is recognizing National Perioperative Nurses week Nov. 8 through Nov. 14.

The perioperative nurse is a crucial part of any Operating Room team. Perioperative nurses provide surgical patient care by assessing, planning, and implementing the nursing care patients receive before, during, and after surgery.

These activities include patient assessment, creating and maintaining a sterile and safe surgical environment, pre- and post-operative patient education, monitoring the patient’s physical and emotional well-being, and integrating and coordinating patient care throughout the surgical care continuum.