PERIOPERATIVE NURSING:

POST-DIPLOMA (RN) CERTIFICATE IN PERIOPERATIVE NURSING

Perioperative nursing is a nursing specialty that works with patients who are having operative or other invasive procedures. Perioperative nurses work closely with surgeons, nurse anesthetists, surgical technologists, and nurse practitioners. They perform preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative care primarily in operating theatres, stress test evaluations, cardiac monitoring, vascular monitoring, and health assessments. Perioperative nurses typically have Basic Life Support and Advanced Cardiac Life Support certification.

Perioperative Nursing Roles:

Perioperative nurses may perform several roles, including circulator, scrub nurse, pre-op nurse, PACU nurse, OR Director, Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA), and Patient Educator.

Circulator

A circulator is a perioperative nurse that manages the nursing care of a patient during surgery. The circulator observes for breaches in surgical asepsis and coordinating the needs of the surgical team. The circulator is not scrubbed in the case, but rather manages the care and environment during surgery.

Scrub nurse

A scrub nurse is a perioperative nurse that works directly with the surgeon within the sterile field. The scrub nurse passes instruments, sponges, and other items needed during the procedure. The title comes from the requirement to scrub their hands and arms with special disinfecting solutions

Program:

Registered nursing programs may only provide students with minimal exposure to specialty areas and, as a result, specializing in Perioperative Nursing requires adequate training and knowledge. American International University West Africa has developed a program to fulfill the Perioperative Nursing Certificate program to meet the needs in this specialty. The educational needs are met as per the standards and core curriculum recommended by international Operation Room Nursing associations for Registered Nurses.

This program includes theory content from nursing, sciences and the humanities. The focus is on individualized, patient-centered care. The program focuses on the fundamental knowledge of the sciences (4 months), theory and practicum (8 months) followed by 6 months of internship at the hospitals. Clinical assignments are designed to provide the learner with opportunities to apply perioperative registered nursing theory to practice. Using a unique knowledge base and utilizing the nursing process, Perioperative Registered Nurses are able to meet the individual needs of patients during the surgical experience.

This program will prepare the registered nurse to function in the perioperative environment at the advanced beginner level; that is, as a registered nurse who can demonstrate acceptable performance with the support of an experienced mentor. The skills labs will be offered in operating room settings under the direction of a designated instructor. The clinical practice will be accomplished through clinical placements.

Admissions Requirements:

Students wishing to enroll in this program must provide official transcripts from a basic nursing program. Students must submit a letter from supervisor verifying at least one full year of full-time experience in nursing practice. If students do not have one full year of full time experience, their application may be considered on an individual basis.