A Competency-Based Orientation (CBO) Protocol Enhances Competency Among Newly Hired Perianesthesia Nurses

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Quality Improvement
• Healthcare Education

Background:

• Nursing competency in perianesthesia is essential for effective patient care.
• A structured orientation process is crucial for new nurses' integration and success.
• Existing orientation protocols may not adequately address the specific needs of perianesthesia nurses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a competency-based orientation (CBO) protocol for perianesthesia nurses.
• To align the CBO protocol with the American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses Nursing Standards.
• To enhance the preparedness of newly hired perianesthesia nurses for patient care.

Main Methods:

• A feasibility study utilizing a pre-post survey design was conducted.
• A CBO protocol was developed, incorporating nursing care workflows for 11 common surgical cases.
• Newly hired perianesthesia nurses underwent orientation using the developed CBO protocol and completed self-assessments.

Main Results:

• The CBO protocol demonstrated improved nursing competency across most service areas.
• Statistical analysis using the Wilcoxon signed rank test indicated significant improvements.
• An exception was noted in pediatric care, where competency did not show improvement.

Conclusions:

• A robust CBO protocol is important for integrating perianesthesia nurses into the organization.
• The developed CBO protocol effectively enhanced nursing competency in perianesthesia care.
• Further refinement may be needed for specific areas such as pediatric perianesthesia nursing.