On her first day in OR 4 at VGH, Sarena Narsing felt nervous and excited.

A recent graduate of the VCH Perioperative Nursing Program, Sarena had stepped in an OR before. But this time was different.

This time, she would be gaining first-hand clinical experience in the hospital’s new Education Operating Room (OR).

“It gave me the opportunity to jump in there and test my knowledge, apply the theory and classroom information,” says Sarena. “It’s very challenging, but the time goes by fast.”

Thanks to the Education OR, Sarena’s orientation will feel faster in more ways than one.

A novel solution

Learning is teamwork in the Education OR (l to r): Barbara Faugno, clinician; learners Wins Hui, Teja Gill and Sarena Narsing; and Florisa Maldo, clinician.

“I don’t know of another hospital doing anything similar to this,” says May Leung, referring to the Education OR.

As head nurse of education for the operating rooms at VGH, May recognizes that new nursing recruits need to be prepared to perform highly acute, complex and technical cases. Just one problem. Our growing number of new graduates was finding it increasingly difficult to complete their orientation.

“Learners were ‘competing’ with learners to acquire sufficient OR time and the robust clinical experiences they need,” May explains.

Not anymore.

The new Education OR is dedicated to orienting new OR nurses and providing them in-depth experience with four critical surgical specialities: general, emergency, neuro and vascular.

“Instead of learners waiting for a vascular room, we’re creating a vascular room,” says May. “We expect the average orientation to drop from eight to five and a half months as a result.”

New graduates will become independent, proficient OR nurses faster, and the additional cases performed in the Education OR will benefit patients.

It takes a village

Physicians play a vital role in orientation (l to r): Learners Teja Gill, Wins Hui and Sarena Narsing with surgeon Dr. Tony Salvian and anaesthesiologist Dr. Brad Merriman.

“It takes a village,” says May. “All professions, all services have a role to play in training the next generation.”

Dr. Brad Merriman agrees. In fact, the anaesthesiologist welcomes the opportunity.

“I enjoy the satisfaction learners express when I explain what I’m doing,” he says. “As a profession I don’t think we do this enough, and it leaves our nursing colleagues in the dark about what exactly we’re doing during things like pre-oxygenating the patient. I think they’re grateful for the education, and it helps them be more effective in the OR.”

For every case in the Education OR, three learners are supported by two clinicians ready and able to step in if required.

“Because of all the scrutiny on proper conduct, I’d say that the Education OR functions very well — perhaps even better than regular ORs,” says Dr. Merriman. “From my perspective behind the drapes, I can tell the learners are still a little awkward figuring out how they can help me during critical periods like intubation, but all the skills and attentiveness are there.”

Asked how Sarena and her fellow learners Wins Hui and Teja Gill did on their first day and Dr. Merriman was quick to reply.

“They really did a fantastic job. We ran on time and there were no major missteps, even during some really heavy cases. I’d have them in the OR with me anytime.”

It’s just the beginning

For Sarena, Wins and Teja, this is just the beginning. They look forward to learning more and seeing where their new careers as OR nurses will take them at VGH.

“I’m part of something exciting every day,” says Serena.

We couldn’t say it better ourselves.

Consider a career as an OR nurse

VCH Perioperative Nursing Program

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