Core Curriculum for Italian OR Scrub Nurses: An eDelphi Study

In Italy, no nationally standardized curriculum currently exists for scrub nurses (SNs), leading to variability in training, role expectations, and competency assessment across institutions. We aimed to identify the core competencies required for Italian SNs and to define indicative timeframes for their achievement in clinical practice. We conducted a multiphase eDelphi study from April to September 2023 with 35 expert perioperative nurses. Using the European Operating Room Nurses Association Core Curriculum as the starting framework, panelists reviewed 113 competencies and proposed two additional items relevant to Italian OR nursing practice. Overall, 79 competencies were retained. Consensus on timeframes for competency achievement was reached through two rounds of surveys and a final expert discussion. Internal reliability was high, with Cronbach alphas of 0.979 (round 2) and 0.956 (round 3). The resulting framework may support competency-based education, role transition, and greater consistency in SN training across Italian health care institutions.