Redesigning OR Orientation

The nursing shortage triggered by retiring nurses is expected to affect all areas of nursing but particularly specialized nursing areas, such as perioperative units. In addition, the perioperative environment is a difficult place for novice nurses to fit in. Many factors contribute to making the OR environment stressful, and novice nurses often feel the effects of not being readily accepted into the social culture of the OR. Leaders in the OR department of a busy trauma center with a large number vacancies, an inability to recruit experienced perioperative nurses, and difficulty retaining new nurses redesigned the orientation process with the intent of recruiting high quality RNs, improving the nurse retention rate after orientation, and making the perioperative area a positive learning environment. The new process is a consistent, structured program that includes AORN's Periop 101: A Core Curriculum, dedicated preceptors, daily feedback and goals for orientees, regular meetings for new staff members, and increased inclusion of existing staff members.