Sarah Fitzgerald, a recent graduate of the VCH Perioperative Nursing Program, is putting her education to work at VGH.

“I feel like the possibilities are endless”

Sarah Fitzgerald feels good about the future.

“Yeah, I’m excited about what lies ahead,” she says. “And I feel really equipped to move forward.”

The 27-year-old recently graduated from the VCH Perioperative Nursing Program. She is one of 10 new graduates currently working at VGH and UBC Hospital.

She says she loves it.

“It’s going really well,” she says. “It’s nice not to be a student anymore but an actual part of the team…it’s exciting.”

Sarah says the program prepared her for the job as an operating room nurse.

“When I graduated, I felt like I was in a pretty good place to take the next big step. It gave us all the foundations and principles to build upon once we started working – I feel like I’m doing that now.”

Since it began in 2005, the Perioperative Nursing Program has seen more than 200 nurses graduate. It provides nurses with an integrated approach to learning that includes theoretical coursework in a facilitated online environment, classroom instruction in the Centre of Excellence for Simulation Education and Innovation, as well as hands-on clinical training in VCH operating rooms.

Manager Kit Mitchell credits the program’s success to the educators and the program’s hands-on approach.

“Each educator has about four students, so they get a lot of individual instruction and attention,” she explains, “and students spend around 455 hours in the operating room, four days a week, during the five months of clinical placements.”

The operating room is a dynamic, constantly changing environment where nurses can care for one patient at a time, giving them undivided attention during critical moments of surgery. “Teamwork, communication, prioritization and critical-thinking skills are essential qualities for any OR nurse,” says Kit.

Sarah says that, at times, the program was really challenging, but it was all worth it. “You have to really want it, but it all pays off in the end,” she says.

“It’s such a good feeling. I feel like the possibilities are endless.”

Consider a career as an OR nurse

The VCH Perioperative Nursing Program is a full-time program, recognized by the Operating Room Nurses Association of Canada (ORNAC). Tuition fees are paid, and you will receive full-time salary while in full-time training.

Learn more here.