The First 90 Days in Theatre: A Survival Guide for Practitioners New to Perioperative Practice

Theatres can feel like the most unforgiving place to be new. The pace is fast, the stakes are high, everyone

else seems to already know where things are kept, and there is rarely a spare moment for someone to sit

down and explain the unwritten rules. That disorientation is completely normal — it is not a sign that you are

unsuited to the job.

Who this is for

• Newly qualified nurses and ODPs starting their first theatre post.

• Experienced staff rotating into perioperative care for the first time from another area.

• Preceptors and mentors who want a structured way to support someone through their first 90 days.