Improving associate degree nursing students' perioperative clinical observation experiences

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Surgical Nursing

Background:

• Associate degree nursing students previously had limited exposure to perioperative nursing.
• The typical clinical experience involved brief, incomplete observation of surgical procedures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To enhance the perioperative nursing clinical experience for associate degree nursing students.
• To provide a more comprehensive and formal operating room (OR) education.

Main Methods:

• Implemented a revised clinical experience incorporating didactic content before the clinical day.
• Included a group orientation session for students.
• Facilitated observation across all phases: preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative.

Main Results:

• Student and perioperative staff feedback on the revised program was positive.
• The enhanced experience addressed the previous limitations in student exposure.

Conclusions:

• The updated perioperative nursing curriculum successfully improved the clinical learning experience.
• Positive reception suggests the revised program effectively meets educational needs.