Implementation of an intraoperative clinical experience for senior level baccalaureate nursing students

Perioperative nursing is a specialty that has been eliminated from many nursing education programs. With the loss of perioperative clinical experiences, the number of students pursuing a career in perioperative nursing after graduation has declined. A faculty member at one Midwestern school of nursing developed and implemented a perioperative clinical experience for senior-level baccalaureate nursing students in a critical care nursing course. This program, developed with the assistance of four local hospitals and the college of nursing, included an eight-hour OR orientation and 56 clinical hours. Students were placed in the OR under preceptor guidance and supervision. Feedback from evaluations was positive and provided recommendations for improving the program, in particular, to allow more clinical hours and more hands-on experience for the students.