The value of guided operating theatre experience for undergraduate nurses

Abstract

The Australian population is ageing 1 which, in turn, will lead to an increased demand for surgical health services 2. So too the perioperative nurse matures, with over 50 per cent of the current Australian perioperative nursing workforce being older than 51 years; 41 per cent are between 51 and 60 years, and 15 per cent are older than 60 years of age 3 .

Addressing the Perioperative Nursing Shortage Through Education: A Perioperative Imperative

“…52 Another researcher compared the effect of a guided OR experience on surgical knowledge and nursing care in 332 undergraduate nursing students in Australia. 53,54 Undergraduate participants in the guided perioperative experience group scored higher (76% pass) than the control group (56% pass) on a test of surgical knowledge. The researchers used qualitative analyses to describe the participants' comments about multiple transferable skills (eg, increased understanding of postoperative care, the importance of observations, understanding of patients' postoperative pain).…”

“…Another researcher compared the effect of a guided OR experience on surgical knowledge and nursing care in 332 undergraduate nursing students in Australia . Undergraduate participants in the guided perioperative experience group scored higher (76% pass) than the control group (56% pass) on a test of surgical knowledge.…”

“…Undergraduate participants in the guided perioperative experience group scored higher (76% pass) than the control group (56% pass) on a test of surgical knowledge. The researchers used qualitative analyses to describe the participants’ comments about multiple transferable skills (eg, increased understanding of postoperative care, the importance of observations, understanding of patients’ postoperative pain) . Several of the students indicated that their knowledge and understanding of surgical processes had been enhanced and would affect the way they would care for postoperative patients in the future …”

“…The researchers used qualitative analyses to describe the participants' comments about multiple transferable skills (eg, increased understanding of postoperative care, the importance of observations, understanding of patients' postoperative pain). 54 Several of the students indicated that their knowledge and understanding of surgical processes had been enhanced and would affect the way they would care for postoperative patients in the future. 54 Despite the curricular benefits and increased potential for employment, most baccalaureate programs do not include formal perioperative education experiences.…”

“…54 Several of the students indicated that their knowledge and understanding of surgical processes had been enhanced and would affect the way they would care for postoperative patients in the future. 54 Despite the curricular benefits and increased potential for employment, most baccalaureate programs do not include formal perioperative education experiences. As a result, students do not become interested in the specialty 55 and may seek employment elsewhere.…”