Perioperative Nursing

 Introduction to Perioperative Nursing, SLHN1001

The goal of this introductory-level program in Perioperative Nursing is to provide an experienced RN or Graduate Nurse with the basic knowledge to get started as a perioperative nurse. The program includes both didactic activities and a hospital-based operating room clinical preceptor program.

This course is appropriate for the experienced RN or graduate nurse who wants to work in any of the following settings: an Operating Room (OR), an ambulatory surgery center, or a short procedure unit. RN's who function in units where invasive procedures are performed on a routine basis can also benefit from this course.

Enrollment in this course requires that the student meet ALL requirements. The student must:

• Be a Registered Nurse (RN) with an active state license or Graduate Nurse.
• Have a minimum of 2 years clinical experience in an acute clinical care setting, if applicable.
• Provide two letters of recommendation.
• Have Basic Life Support.
• Agree to and sign the Sponsorship Agreement (in Adobe Acrobat PDF format). If you need the free Acrobat Reader, download it here.
• Have provisional coverage under the malpractice insurance policy of the sponsoring facility. If the student is not covered, the student must provide proof of malpractice insurance coverage.

TOPICAL OUTLINE:

OUTCOMES/OBJECTIVES:

The goal of this introductory-level program in Perioperative Nursing is to provide an experienced RN with the basic knowledge to get started as a perioperative nurse.

After completing this course, the student should have gained an understanding of the following:

• Explore the evolution of the perioperative nurse
• Identify the contribution the perioperative nurse makes to patient safety
• Identify how infection control is practiced in the surgical environment
• Describe basic principles related to surgical instrumentation
• Discuss the role the perioperative nurses plays in safe patient anesthetic outcomes
• Describe the care of the malignant hyperthermia patient
• Describe the care of the latex sensitive/allergic patient in the perioperative setting
• Identify various methods of preparing instrumentation for patient use
• Describe the role of the perioperative nurse in supporting the surgical team
• Examine safe positioning of surgical patients
• Describe methods used in the surgical environment for achieving homeostasis
• Describe the impact of various wound closure techniques in the healing process
• Describe how the perioperative nurse cares for patients of various age groups
• Compare the ambulatory setting to the inpatient/trauma setting.

COURSE ACTIVITIES OR METHODS OF INSTRUCTION:

This is a hybrid web-based course. The didactic portion of the course is web based and provides interaction between student and instructor online

• Using reading assignments, quizzes, web research, discussion forums, exams, and clinical activities, you will gain a fundamental understanding of Perioperative Nursing by the end of the program. Students will be able to function at the entry level in an operating room and begin the clinical requirement and area specialization for the facility.
   
• During the course of the semester, students will learn about a variety of interesting topics as they relate to OR nursing, including standards for the perioperative nurse, prepping the patient, anesthesia, sterilization techniques, positioning the patient, and surgical specialties, among many other things.
   
• The other key element to this course is the hands-on experience gained while working with a clinical preceptor to complete the clinical requirements for this course. Participation in this course requires that the student be sponsored by a healthcare organization of their choice that can provide a clinical experience to supplement the didactic portion of this course.

COURSE MATERIALS:

Textbooks:

• Alexander's Care of the Patient in Surgery - 12^th edition by Margaret H. Meeker and Jane C. Rothrock (ISBN: 0-323-01622-7)
• Essentials of Perioperative Nursing - 2^nd edition by Cynthia Spry (OSBN: 0-8342-0581-5)
• 2004 AORN Standardsm Recommended Practices and Guidelines (ISBN: 1-888460-20-2)

Internet and Email access is required. The student will complete the majority of assignments - web site research, discussion forum activity, quizzes and exams - within the Blackboard distance-learning environment. One assignment requires use of Microsoft Word or other word processing software.

EVALUATION:

The following didactic components are included the student's grade. A total score of 80% or better for these components must be earned in order to receive a passing grade for this course.

• Discussion Forum Participation: 50%
• Weekly Quizzes: 50%

The other component of the student's grade is the Clinical Activity. Each week, the clinical preceptor will assign and report to the instructor one of three completion levels (successful, pending, or needs improvement). The student must have a "successful completion" mark by end of course for all 15 weeks of clinical activity in order to pass the clinical component of the course.

• Those students who earn an 80% or better in the didactic activities and a 100% successful completion in the clinical activities will receive a "Pass" grade at the end of the course. Those students with a passing grade will receive a Certificate of Completion in Introduction to Perioperative Nursing.
   
• If a student is failing at time during the course, the instructor will initiate a meeting for discussion with the student and preceptor to determine if there is successful progression on the student's part to warrant their continued participation in the course.