A new bill aims to reshape the qualifications and training of operating room nurses in France, addressing staffing shortages and professional recognition.
Bill submitted to National Assembly
A bill numbered 3123, titled Bill safeguarding the qualifications of operating room nurses, has been submitted to the National Assembly. It focuses on the qualifications and training requirements for operating room nurses, known as IBODE in France.Focus of the bill
Grégory Chakir, president of the Inter-Blocks Collective, emphasized that the bill aims to open a debate on access to training, its financing, the attractiveness of the specialty, salary recognition, and the future of nurses already working in operating rooms. The bill comes at a time when the IBODE specialty faces multiple challenges.Training capacity and shortages
A 2025 survey showed that only about 60% of training capacities for IBODE were filled, with 657 admissions and 189 deferrals, often due to financing difficulties. For the 2026 academic year, a new national survey is ongoing, but early reports suggest many training places remain unfilled despite a shortage of IBODE in operating rooms.Current staffing situation
Operating rooms in France currently rely on 9,000 IBODE nurses, with an additional 15,000 non-qualified nurses working in the field, totaling 24,000. The bill proposes that from January 1, 2031, only state-certified operating room nurses will be allowed to perform these roles, with transitional measures allowing state-certified nurses to perform some IBODE-related tasks before that date.Training and supervision requirements
Article 2 of the bill outlines mandatory theoretical training in an alternating format, allowing up to 50% of training time to be conducted remotely. It also requires that during practical training, a state-certified operating room nurse or a surgeon must supervise the trainee. Candidates may complete training with their employer, provided they commit to working as IBODE after the training.Salary negotiations
Article 3 mandates that the state initiate salary negotiations with hospital unions by September 1, 2026, with the goal of increasing the pay scale for IBODE nurses. The bill was submitted by Mr. Hadrien CLOUET, a member of the La France insoumise - Nouveau Front Populaire group.Transitional measures and training
Since 2019, transitional measures have allowed some operating room tasks to be performed without the full two-year IBODE training. These measures were introduced to address immediate staffing shortages but now raise concerns about the long-term viability of the IBODE specialty, which requires a master’s degree and 120 ECTS credits.Alternating training proposal
The Inter-Blocks Collective proposes an alternating training path, allowing current operating room nurses to continue working while pursuing IBODE qualifications. This approach aims to make the specialty more accessible and sustainable for existing professionals.Professional recognition and challenges
The Inter-Blocks Collective argues that the current status and recognition of IBODE nurses are inadequate. High technical skills are required for their work, and without proper salary and recognition, it is difficult to attract new nurses to the two-year program. The lack of qualified professionals has also led to the use of medical students in some private hospitals, despite regulations prohibiting this practice.Call for parliamentary debate
The Collective is urging the bill to be debated in the parliamentary chamber and adopted to ensure fair recognition of the IBODE profession. They view the issue as more than a regulatory change, but a fundamental question about the future qualifications and recognition of operating room professionals.
