Student Perioperative Experience Supports Recognition of Safety Concepts

This study aimed to evaluate student perception of knowledge gained and intent to apply perioperative safety concepts.

A mixed-method design analyzed themes from student reflections as well as frequencies of student survey responses after a one day, 10-hour, perioperative observational experience.

Students participated in a one day, 10-hour, observational clinical experience following patients from the preoperative area to the operating room, postanesthesia care unit, and discharge from a surgery center or admission to a hospital room. After the experience, students completed a survey and a reflection assignment. A modified Delphi method was used for thematic analysis. Frequencies and averages were used to analyze the survey items.

Students gained knowledge of and reported intent to apply perioperative safety concepts within their nursing practice. Some students noted an interest in perioperative nursing as a career choice.

These findings provide evidence to support implementation of perioperative experiences in nursing programs and reinforce the role of the registered nurse (RN) to ensure safe and quality care. In addition, the perioperative experience may be a recruitment tool for enhancing the perioperative workforce.