This article was updated on Nov. 28, 2023 to represent the most accurate numbers.
When you enter an operating room (OR) for surgery, do you think about your nurses? Are they prepared or experienced in your procedure? Moreover, do you believe they understand the steps needed to complete a successful procedure?
At SCA Health, we aim to ensure that every patient and surgeon in one of our many ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) can rest assured with the knowledge that their nurses are ready and able to provide the highest quality care.
A Unique Opportunity
Released in 2018, our Peri-Operative 101 course assists SCA Health nurses interested in developing and mastering the skills and knowledge needed to work in a dynamic OR environment. As of November 2023, 267 nurses have graduated from the program. Of this group, 206 are nurses on the frontline of care with patients, while 61 ASC leaders have also completed the course. This accomplishment has provided them with a new layer of expertise to operate in one of our 320+ surgical facilities.
“At SCA Health, nurses no longer rely solely on hospital-based training to obtain specialized knowledge in Perioperative OR nursing,” Kelly Kapp, Clinical Education Director at SCA Health said. “SCA Health has brought innovative methods and training programs that allow their nurses to learn and gain expertise in the surgical field while working in the ambulatory setting. This is a game changer for nurses who prefer not to work in the hospital setting for various reasons.”
Expanded Benefits
Surgeons also reap the rewards of actively working with course graduates. Moreover, with additional confidence in their support staff, surgeons can focus more on providing high-quality healthcare, with less time spent managing others during surgery.
This combination results in improved patient outcomes from those who trust our ASC staff to deliver quality results. Indeed, an experienced, cohesive, and well-trained team work together to ensure each patient receives the care they demand and deserve.
Combating the Nursing Shortage
As the United States continues to battle a severe nursing shortage following the COVID-19 pandemic, our peri-operative 101 course has allowed us to attract new teammates. Furthermore, it provides additional resources to our current staff.
Nurses looking for a pivot within their career field can complete this course and graduate with the skills to take on a new, fast-paced, exciting environment. These opportunities can help reduce burnout’s effects, a primary reason noted as a cause of the nationwide shortage.
Providing New Experiences
Our peri-operative course allows our nurse teammates to change the direction of their careers and expand into a dynamic environment. They can be confident that they have the skills necessary to excel in the OR.
“It (the course) provided me with an awesome foundation for working in the OR, where I hope to be for a good, long while,” Rebecca Eikom, RN, OR Circulator at Surgical Specialty Center of Minnesota, said in a May interview for ASC Focus.
To learn more about SCA Health’s Peri-Operative 101 course, click here.
If you are a nurse and are interested in joining SCA Health, please contact our Talent Acquisition team at talent.acquisition@scasurgery.com.
SCA Health-employed nurses interested in participating in the course should email Kelly Kapp at Kelly.kapp@scasurgery.com or Elise Eidson at Elise.Eidson@scasurgery.com.
Resources:
SCA Health YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwJG_mePU2w
