The speciality of anaesthetic and recovery nursing has grown from a foundation of hard evidence that the majority of anaesthetic complications occur in the post operative period, and there is a need for a highly trained and experienced nurse with skills and expertise in caring for patients during this critical period. This development during the late 60's and early 70's was shaped by anaesthetists and has over the years been continually developed and enhanced by nursing. Post Anaesthetic nursing practice is now an integral part of the perioperative process, with some suggesting that recovery nursing is largely distinct from the other perioperative skills and should be treated as such in terms of education and planning.