Establishing a collaborative relationship with a college of nursing

AORN Journal, Nov, 2002 by Laurie Mitchell, Darlena Stevens, Jennifer Goodman, Mary Brown

* Nursing students who complete a perioperative elective may have an advantage when applying for a perioperative position upon graduation. These students will be seen by prospective OR managers as being dedicated to a perioperative career and requiring less time in orientation.

At St Luke's, two students who completed the perioperative elective returned to the OR as graduate nurses. These nurses then completed the OR residency program, which consists of approximately five and one-half months of training, primarily in the circulator role. The OR residents who previously completed the perioperative elective in nursing school demonstrated a higher level of confidence and comfort in the perioperative setting. These OR residents have expressed their satisfaction at having prior training in the scrub role and feel it strengthens their role as a circulator.

After completing OR residency, RNs who previously completed the perioperative elective are more likely to pursue additional training in the scrub role. The health care organization benefits when RNs function in both the circulator and scrub roles. In addition, these employees may experience greater job satisfaction and pride in demonstrating both circulating and scrubbing skills.

Perioperative managers who can determine the cost-benefit relationship are in a position to make knowledgeable decisions on which services to offer. Although completing a cost analysis is necessary, it may be the intangible benefits that convince a facility to offer a similar program in collaboration with a school of nursing. At St Luke's Episcopal Hospital, the benefits clearly outweigh the costs of providing this program.

STUDENT FEEDBACK

At the end of the course, students were asked to write a brief synopsis of their experience. One student wrote,

   In order for a nurse to successfully apply medical-surgical and
   pathophysiology, they should experience a course in perioperative nursing.
   Prior to taking the course, I would have never considered working in an OR.
   I learned a plethora of information about the OR in a short period of time.
   It was exciting to see the surgical team working together in the best
   interests of the patient. I learned that all the team members play an
   integral role in providing quality care for the patient. It was so nice to
   see the staff enjoy and love what they do. I mainly enjoyed being precepted
   by the wonderful staff who took the time to teach me (especially the
   surgeons). Thank you for introducing me to perioperative nursing.

Another student wrote,

   For as long as I can remember, I have always wanted to work in the OR.
   During the summer of 2000, I had the opportunity to see just what it's like
   working in an OR. I had a wonderful experience at St Luke's Episcopal
   Hospital. I learned about the scrub nurse role and got the opportunity to
   scrub on general surgery cases. After taking the elective and doing the
   clinical rotation at St Luke's Episcopal Hospital, I knew St Luke's
   Episcopal Hospital was the place for me. I started working at St Luke
   Episcopal Hospital on January 8, 2001. Thus far, I love every minute of
   work in the OR. I'm learning something new and exciting every day, and I
   wouldn't have it any other way.