A Project Alpha program for smaller chapters

Smaller chapters cannot easily adapt to their groups the projects of larger chapters or programs at the national level. To address this problem, the Coosa Valley chapter of AORN, Rome, Ga, developed a program that offers perioperative experience to nursing students at a local college. Members of the chapter act as preceptors for the students and educate them before the students' preceptorships in the OR. This education seems to relieve some of the intimidation and fear related to the OR, and students in the program are more willing to participate in the program.