Title: Training Plan for Probationary Nurses in the Operating Room

Description: Perioperative nursing comprises of three phases: the preoperative, intra-operative and post-operative phases. Each phase would entail
varying roles and responsibilities of the nurse as part of the team. It is because of the vastness of these responsibilities and the key role the nurses
play in each phase that this training plan was established. Cognitive, interpersonal and technical competencies are developed in order to render the
best possible quality care to customers.
The training plan would include a refresher course on basic OR principles and guidelines that would enable new perioperative nurses as
they start to adapt in the OR environment.
The training plan would also include routine activities performed in the operating room with its allotted time frame of exposure, strategies
to be implemented and methods of evaluating the effectiveness and adequacy of exposure.
The training plan would mainly utilize the preceptorship method in which the preceptor, the senior staff nurse, will teach, train, counsel,
advise, and motivate the probee until he or she can function independently and become a regular staff nurse. The training coordinator will be
assigning a competent staff nurse to be the preceptor. The training coordinator will facilitate exams and post conferences. With the help of the
preceptor, the training coordinator then makes evaluation.

Objective: At the end of the training plan, the probee should be able to:

1. Demonstrate ability to apply principles of sterilization, disinfection, and aseptic and sterile techniques in preparation and use of all
supplies and equipment under all conditions and circumstances.
2. Increase and clarify knowledge of anatomy and physiology in normal structure and function, and pathophysiology altered by disease
processes.
3. Comprehend the interrelationships between biologic, psychologic, and social factors that affect patients and their families’ adaptation
to the risk factors and outcomes of surgical intervention.
4. Identify procedures necessary to prepare each patient for operation by understanding individualized needs.
5. Demonstrate an understanding of more common operations by anticipating needs of OR team members and by organizing work
efficiently in the best interest of patient safety and welfare.
6. Understand actions and uses of anesthetic agents, fluids and electrolytes and patient responses to them by having appropriate supplies
available in the event of adverse reactions.
7. Identify the potential environmental dangers to the patient through an understanding of the function and care of surgical instruments,
supplies, and equipment, so as to prevent hazards to patient safety.
8. Identify the members of the OR team and the legal responsibilities of each for the care of the conscious or the unconscious patient as
a basis for maintaining continuity of surgical patient care.
9. Participate in making decisions that demonstrate willingness to collaborate with members of the OR team to ensure positive patient
outcome.
 10. Function as a team member by showing consideration for and cooperating with others within the OR and by communicating with the
interdependent departments of the hospital that work together for the well being of the patient.
11. Develop flexibility, adaptability, and self-reliance as a team member by acquiring a working knowledge of all aspects of the operating
room environment and the functions of all personnel.
12. Develop manual dexterity and the ability to manage personal anxiety by learning basic techniques so well that correct activity
response is quickly carried out in life-threatening emergency or stressful situations as well as in normal circumstances.
13. Exert a conscientious effort to carry out all duties accurately and with integrity, in compliance with hospital policies and recognized
standards of practice, and thus to develop pride in performance consistent with personal, professional, and vocational ethical and
moral values.
14. Help control patient and hospital costs through the correct, safe, and economical use of supplies and equipment and personal
efficiency in time and motion.

Week Tool Content

Week 1 Lecture Day 1 & 2 – General Orientation

Unit Tour  Operating Room Organizational Chart
Observation  Operating Room Policies
*Delegated to Unit Manager  Operating Room Procedures
 Reference Manual
 Hospital Manual
Day 3 & 4
 Operating Room Physical Set-up
 Unit Tour
 Orientation to Different Documents, Forms and Logbooks
 Day 5
 Continue with tasks from previous days
 Observation in Mini-CSS
 Observation of Operating Room Staff Activities
 Observation of Surgical Procedures
 Post Conference

Week 2 Lecture Day 1 – Pre – test

Video Clips Basic Operating Room Principles
Return demonstration  Review of Aseptic Technique
Observation  Infection Control
*Delegated to Training Coordinator  Sterilization and Disinfection
Day 2
 Anesthesia
 Medico-legal Concerns
 Safety Measures in the Operating Room
 Handling and Care of Specimen

Day 3
 Proper Positioning
 Skin Preparation
 Roles and Responsibilities of the Operating Room Nurse

Day 4 & 5
 Hand Washing
 Scrubbing, Gowning and Gloving
 Surgical counting
  Setting up for surgery
 Assisting the surgical team
 Passing and care of instruments
 Sutures and instruments
 Observation of OR activities
Post - test

Week 3 - 4 Observation Day 1 – 5

Second Scrub Second scrub in Minor surgeries
Lecture  Ophthalmology procedures
*Delegated to Preceptor 1  ENT procedures
 Plastic Surgery procedures
 Excision cases
Second scrub in major GS procedures
Post conference
Review learning experience encountered

Day 6 –10
 Continue with skills from previous week focusing on increasing
independence
 Second scrub in OB/Gyne procedures
 Second scrub in GU procedures
 Second scrub in TCVS procedures

 Second scrub in Neurosurgery procedures

 Second scrub in Ortho procedures
 Post conference
 Review learning experience encountered
Week 5 - 6 Observation  Continue with skills from previous weeks focusing on increasing
Second scrub independence
First scrub to preceptor  Second scrub in all the cases assigned to the preceptor, be it minor
Lecture or major surgery
*Delegated to Preceptor 2  First scrub to the preceptor in all the cases assigned to them, be it
minor or major surgery
 Post conference
 Review learning experience encountered

Week 7 - 8 Observation  Continue with skills from previous weeks focusing on increasing
Solo scrub independence
Lecture  Solo scrub in all the cases assigned to them
*Delegated to a competent circulating  Orientation on duties and responsibilities as a Recovery Room
nurse transport nurse (6 am – 2 pm shift)
 Post conference
 Review learning experience encountered

Week 9 - 10 Lecture  Recovery Room exposure

Observation
Third month evaluation exam
*Delegated to a capable preceptor
*Third month evaluation
 Shadow as a Recovery Room transport nurse (6am-2pm shift)
 Assist Recovery Room nurse in transporting and monitoring post-
operative patients
 Perform medication administration according to ethical,
 legal, and clinical standards set by the institution
 Post conference
 Review learning experience encountered
Week 11 - 12 Lecture  Continue with skills from previous weeks focusing on increasing
Observation independence
*Delegated to PM Charge Nurse  Orientation on duties and responsibilities as junior nurse going on
PM shift
 PM shift rotation
 Sunday duty rotation
 Post conference
 Review learning experience encountered

Week 13 - 15 Lecture  Continue with skills from previous weeks focusing on increasing
Observation independence
 Orientation on duties and responsibilities as junior nurse going on
night shift
 Night shift rotation
 Post conference
 Review learning experience encountered

Week 16 - 17 Lecture  Orientation on duties and responsibilities as junior nurse going on

Observation mid-day shift as a nurse reliever (11am–7pm shift)
 Mid-day shift rotation as a nurse reliever
 Post conference
 Review learning experience encountered
Week 18 - 20 Lecture  Morning shift as a scrub nurse to further expand skills
Observation  Orientation on duties and responsibilities as a circulating nurse
*Sixth month evaluation exam  Proper documentation/charting
*Sixth month evaluation
 Orientation on duties and responsibilities for Endoscopy Unit
rotation
 Post conference
 Review learning experience encountered

Week 21 - 22 Lecture  Endoscopy Unit rotation

Observation  Perform IV therapy safely and effectively to her/ patients
 Post conference
 Review learning experience encountered

Week 23 - 24 Lecture  Continue with all skills learned focusing on increasing

Observation independence
 Charging background for simple OR supplies used and surgical
procedures done
 Further enhancement of knowledge and skills in preparation to be
a competent regular Operating Room staff nurse