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Project Alpha. Designing courses that recruit and retain OR nurses
J J Takahashi1, D W Benotti, K G Shea
1Samuel Merritt Hospital, Oakland, Calif.
AORN Journal
|February 1, 1990
Summary
Developing postgraduate perioperative nursing programs enhances educator skills and professional satisfaction. Students benefit from expert instruction and small class sizes, leading to well-prepared perioperative nurses.
Area of Science:
- Nursing Education
- Surgical Nursing
- Professional Development
Background:
- Project Alpha has a decade-long history supporting nursing education.
- Initiated with observational experiences, it evolved to include electives and preceptorships.
- Recently supported a postgraduate perioperative nursing course.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the benefits of a postgraduate perioperative nursing program.
- To assess the impact on educators, preceptors, and students.
- To highlight the development of professional skills and knowledge.
Main Methods:
- Program development and teaching by faculty.
- Clinical preceptorship for students.
- Student evaluations of the postgraduate course.
Main Results:
- Educators gained skills in curriculum development, public speaking, and subject expertise.
- Clinical preceptors experienced satisfaction from mentoring novice nurses.
- Students received instruction from committed, experienced perioperative nurses in small class sizes.
- Graduates demonstrated a strong knowledge base and professionalism.
Conclusions:
- Postgraduate perioperative nursing programs foster skill development and professional growth for educators and students.
- The program successfully prepares nurses for advanced practice in the operating room.
- Collaboration between educators and clinical preceptors enhances the learning experience.