History

Journal of Perioperative Nursing has its origins in the early efforts of the Australian College of Perioperative Nurses (ACORN) to connect and inform perioperative nurses across Australia. It began in 1986 as Forceps Snippets ACORN News, a unification of two state-based journals—Forceps from New South Wales and Snippets from Victoria—together with the national ACORN News. The inaugural edition, edited by John Stuart, was published in December 1986.

In 1987, the publication evolved into the ACORN Journal: The journal of perioperative nursing in Australia, establishing a formal national platform for clinical updates, organisational news, and emerging scholarly content. Over time, the ACORN Journal expanded its scope to include peer-reviewed research and professional commentary, reflecting the growing complexity and professionalisation of perioperative nursing.

A significant transformation occurred in 2016, when ACORN assumed full self-publishing responsibilities. A dedicated copy editor and graphic designer were appointed to enhance the journal’s production. The following year, the journal was renamed the Journal of Perioperative Nursing, aligning with international publishing conventions and more clearly reflecting the profession and its readership.

Throughout its evolution, the journal has remained a central platform for sharing clinical insights, standards updates, research findings, and professional discourse. It continues to adapt to the educational and scholarly needs of the perioperative nursing community, while promoting the visibility, advancement, and credibility of the specialty within the broader healthcare landscape.

List of Journal Editors