Preparing the Next Generation of Perioperative Nurses

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Healthcare Workforce Development

Background:

• The perioperative nursing field faces a critical workforce shortage due to insufficient new entrants and high early-career turnover.
• Significant costs are associated with orienting new perioperative nurses, exacerbating workforce challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a collaborative precepted clinical immersion program designed to onboard senior nursing students into perioperative roles.
• To assess the program's impact on reducing orientation costs and improving workforce stability in perioperative nursing.

Main Methods:

• A partnership between healthcare facilities and a nursing college created a clinical immersion program for senior baccalaureate nursing students.
• Students were hired post-graduation into perioperative positions after completing the immersion program.

Main Results:

• The program resulted in estimated cost savings of $16,000 to $25,000 per newly oriented employee.
• The initiative facilitated the identification of students well-suited for perioperative nursing, potentially reducing turnover.

Conclusions:

• Collaborative programs between healthcare and academic institutions offer a viable solution to the perioperative nursing workforce crisis.
• The clinical immersion model effectively prepares nursing students for perioperative practice, yielding economic and operational benefits.