Rethinking Perianesthesia Orientation

Abstract

Purpose: To discover the best orientation method for perianesthesia nurses.

Design: Pilot study comparing two approaches to orientation.

Methods: Nurses in one group were each assigned to a single preceptor, whom they followed regardless of which of the three distinct areas-the preoperative unit, postanesthesia recovery unit, or Phase II discharge unit-the preceptor was scheduled to work. In the second group, trainees remained in one area, with various preceptors, until proficiency was achieved. All trainees (n = 25) were surveyed.

Findings: New registered nurses in the perianesthesia department prefer to remain in a single area until competency is achieved.

Conclusions: Perianesthesia nursing has a distinct body of knowledge. Although conventional wisdom suggests that using a single preceptor for nursing orientation leads to better outcomes, our study indicates that allowing orientees to remain in one area until a level of competency is achieved may be more effective.

Keywords: competency; orientation; preceptor.