However, beyond the professional knowledge and
skills required to aid the programmes, nursing knowledge has contributed little
to this rapidly developing aspect of surgery to date. Nursing has much to offer
through future creation of centrally coordinated, surgical nursing units focusing
on patients’ holistic experience. This article will briefly describe enhanced recovery,
identify aspects of nursing knowledge that can have a positive influence, and outline
practical changes to assist the development of such programmes, thereby benefiting
all patients undergoing elective surgery.