A Perioperative Elective for College Credit

Abstract

The authors developed a collaborative perioperative elective course between the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Louisville, and Indiana University Southeast, New Albany. The course is for students studying for bachelor of science degrees in nursing and is offered as a four-hour elective. The course allows nursing students to participate more in surgical procedures; learn the proper use, care, and cleaning of surgical instruments; and learn nursing theory. Students' and staff members' responses have been favorable.

Practice and Education: Partnering to Address the Perioperative Nursing Shortage

“…Several other programs described in the literature are elective courses. [10][11][12] Although these courses may include a practice component, there are no reports of students being offered a stipend.…”

“…Although a number of similar programs have been reported in the literature during the past decade, 8,9 this program is unique in that it is a work‐study program for which students receive three semester hours of credit that can be applied to their degree and during which they are paid a stipend for the time spent in the practice component. Several other programs described in the literature are elective courses 10–12 . Although these courses may include a practice component, there are no reports of students being offered a stipend.…”

Addressing the Perioperative Nursing Shortage Through Education: A Perioperative Imperative

“…Documentation in the literature indicates that students benefit when they participate in a perioperative elective . Generally, any elective course may be worth two to six college credits and offered throughout the academic year depending on scheduling requirements. Many elective courses include both didactic and clinical practice activities and usually limit enrollment to approximately 10 students, although one course in the literature accommodated 20 students and another accommodated 35 students …”

“…16,20,28,50,[57][58][59][60][61][62][63][64][65][66][67][68][69][70][71] Generally, any elective course may be worth two to six college credits 8,16,28,32,33,50,58,60,62,64,72 and offered throughout the academic year depending on scheduling requirements. Many elective courses include both didactic and clinical practice activities and usually limit enrollment to approximately 10 students, 8,16,32,33,[60][61][62]64,67,72 although one course in the literature accommodated 20 students 58 and another accommodated 35 students. 65 In one study, leaders of one perioperative department created a six-week orientation preceptorship for nurses lacking perioperative experience.…”