Sammanfattning
Background: Operating room nursing are performed in high-risk situations, which necessitates
mastering of advanced technical and non-technical skills. Non-technical skills of operating room
nursing are scarcely researched and not emphasized in operating room nurses’ education. Research
indicates that non-technical skills improve team cooperation in the operating room, and prevent
adverse events, which may cause unnecessary harm to patients. Aim: The aim of this paper was to
illuminate non-technical skills in operating room nursing practice. Method: Three operating room
nursing students, three operating nurses from a university hospital and two teachers from a
university college in Norway were interviewed, both individually and in groups. The participants
narrated freely about their experiences of learning and mentoring. The interviews were analysed
using constant comparative method. Findings: The analysis resulted in the core category non-
technical skills, and four main categories: cognitive skills, collaboration skills, self-management
skills and ethical skills. Conclusion: Non-technical skills constitute an essential part of operating
room nurses' competence. Awareness and training of non-technical skills among students, operating
room nurses and teachers may enhance collaboration and work environment in the surgical team,
and patient safety.