A Curriculum for Perioperative Nurse Deployment During a Pandemic.

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Pandemic Response
• Surgical Services

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic led to the cancellation of elective surgeries, creating a surplus of perioperative nurses.
• A surge in COVID-19 patients necessitated the deployment of these nurses to inpatient units requiring specialized skills.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the development of a core curriculum for perioperative nurses.
• To prepare OR nurses for redeployment to inpatient units during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To ensure OR nurses had the necessary skills to provide high-quality care outside the operating room.

Main Methods:

• Perioperative leaders designed and implemented a curriculum using available hospital resources.
• The curriculum focused on essential skills and knowledge for inpatient care.
• The course was developed and implemented rapidly to meet urgent needs.

Main Results:

• A core curriculum was successfully developed and implemented for perioperative nurses.
• Nurses were equipped with the skills and knowledge for inpatient care.
• The initiative facilitated the transition of OR nurses to support surging patient volumes.

Conclusions:

• Developing targeted training programs is crucial for adapting the nursing workforce during health crises.
• Perioperative nurses can be effectively upskilled for inpatient care, demonstrating nursing adaptability.
• This curriculum model can be a valuable resource for other institutions facing similar challenges.