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
Week 1

Tool
Lecture
Unit Tour
Observation
*Delegated to Unit Manager

Content
Day 1 & 2 General Orientation
Operating Room Organizational Chart
Operating Room Policies
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

Week 2

Lecture
Video Clips
Return demonstration
Observation
*Delegated to Training Coordinator

Continue with tasks from previous days

Observation in Mini-CSS
Observation of Operating Room Staff Activities
Observation of Surgical Procedures
Post Conference

Day 1 Pre test

Basic Operating Room Principles
Review of Aseptic Technique
Infection Control
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

Hand Washing
Scrubbing, Gowning and Gloving
Surgical counting

Day 4 & 5

 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
Second Scrub
Lecture
*Delegated to Preceptor 1

Day 1 5
Second scrub in Minor surgeries
Ophthalmology procedures
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
Second scrub
First scrub to preceptor
Lecture
*Delegated to Preceptor 2

Week 7 - 8

Observation
Solo scrub
Lecture
*Delegated to a competent circulating
nurse

Week 9 - 10

Lecture
Observation
Third month evaluation exam
*Delegated to a capable preceptor
*Third month evaluation

Continue with skills from previous weeks focusing on increasing

independence
Second scrub in all the cases assigned to the preceptor, be it minor
or major surgery
First scrub to the preceptor in all the cases assigned to them, be it
minor or major surgery
Post conference
Review learning experience encountered
Continue with skills from previous weeks focusing on increasing
independence
Solo scrub in all the cases assigned to them
Orientation on duties and responsibilities as a Recovery Room
transport nurse (6 am 2 pm shift)
Post conference
Review learning experience encountered

Recovery Room exposure

Shadow as a Recovery Room transport nurse (6am-2pm shift)
Assist Recovery Room nurse in transporting and monitoring postoperative 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
Observation
*Delegated to PM Charge Nurse

Week 13 - 15

Lecture
Observation

Week 16 - 17

Lecture
Observation

Continue with skills from previous weeks focusing on increasing

independence
Orientation on duties and responsibilities as junior nurse going on
PM shift
PM shift rotation
Sunday duty rotation
Post conference
Review learning experience encountered

Continue with skills from previous weeks focusing on increasing

independence
Orientation on duties and responsibilities as junior nurse going on
night shift
Night shift rotation
Post conference
Review learning experience encountered

Orientation on duties and responsibilities as junior nurse going on

mid-day shift as a nurse reliever (11am7pm shift)
Mid-day shift rotation as a nurse reliever
Post conference
Review learning experience encountered

Week 18 - 20

Lecture
Observation
*Sixth month evaluation exam
*Sixth month evaluation

Morning shift as a scrub nurse to further expand skills

Orientation on duties and responsibilities as a circulating nurse
Proper documentation/charting
Orientation on duties and responsibilities for Endoscopy Unit
rotation
Post conference
Review learning experience encountered

Week 21 - 22

Lecture
Observation

Endoscopy Unit rotation

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

Week 23 - 24

Lecture
Observation

Continue with all skills learned focusing on increasing

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