New funded training opportunities for nurses: regional perioperative education program launches
We are pleased to announce that the first cohort of OR nurses at UBC and Richmond Hospital have graduated from the new and enhanced Regional Perioperative Education Program (RPEP) and are now transitioning their learning into practice! The second cohort of OR nurses at VGH, Lions Gate and St. Paul’s Hospital is currently training and will be graduating in 2018. The new education program, led by VCH Clinical Education with input from clinical leaders, was implemented to standardize and improve OR training for new nurses and fill jobs faster by training more nurses sooner to help meet the growing surgical needs of patients. An extensive evaluation process and continuous improvement approach is planned to ensure the program is meeting the needs of nurses and surgical patients.
Enhanced evidence based curriculum
The RPEP is based on AORN’s (Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses) Guidelines and ORNAC (Operating Room Nurses Association of Canada) Standards. RPEP’s curriculum utilizes AORN’s Periop 101TM Program, developed by expert Surgical Nurse Authors, includes a comprehensive blended educational program that combines a standardized, evidence-based online curriculum and textbook readings with hands-on skills labs and a clinical practicum to support the transfer of knowledge into practice. The education program also includes an enhanced preceptorship model that allows for consolidation of knowledge and skills.
“The creation of the RPEP program at VCH is refreshing and exceptional. The program helps to facilitate student learning while at the same time putting into practice what is being taught. It is based on the adult learning principle which allows for the consolidation of knowledge through practice in the (relevant) clinical environment,” says Johanne Turcotte, Manager of the UBC OR program.New funded nursing training opportunities
What’s your next step? If you are a Registered Nurse and have recent acute care experience, you may be eligible to enroll in our fully funded RPEP program and grow your career in OR nursing! Upon completion of the program, nurses receive a free AORN (Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses) internationally recognized membership and a transferable RPEP certificate.
Interested to learn more about preceptorship? Clinical Education is also offering a separate preceptorship workshop on January 24 to nurses who may be interested to become a preceptor.
Thank you!
Thank you the many staff and leaders and our RPEP project team who provided invaluable support and expertise to help us launch the new Regional Perioperative Education Program (RPEP) which has informed the discussion around development of a provincial model for perioperative education! Special thanks to each of the host OR sites at VCH and PHC, OR managers and directors, unit educators and staff who volunteered as preceptors to support the new students on their units.
RPEP UBC Graduates: Back Row (l-r): Jacek Murawski,, Heather MacMillan, Camelia Lazarescu, Ivy Fernando Front Row (l-r): Enrico Galang, Elizabeth Quan, Heather Martin