CONTINUING NURSING STUDIES Perioperative Nursing Program for Licensed Practical Nurses Program Overview Introduction Updated February 2015 The Centre for Nursing Studies offers a Perioperative Nursing Program for Licensed Practical Nurses in response to an identified need determined by a province-wide assessment.
The program combines both a self-directed modular component with a clinical experience providing the Licensed Practical Nurse with a comprehensive view of the role of the LPN within a surgical setting. Management The Centre for Nursing Studies will offer the Perioperative Nursing Program for Licensed Practical Nurses through a brokering arrangement with Grant MacEwan University. The College for Licensed Practical Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador recently approved this Program as meeting the requirements outlined in Standards and Criteria for Approval of Continuing Nursing Education for Licensed Practical Nurses. The Associate Director, Continuing Nursing Studies, a faculty member (s), registrar and secretary will administer and coordinate the daily operations of the program. Entry and Exit Policy This program is open to those currently registered and in good standing with the College for Licensed Practical Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador. Students enroll in the program at the Centre for Nursing Studies and registration is forwarded to Grant MacEwan University. To be eligible for admission, all forms (registration forms for the Centre for Nursing Studies, Grant MacEwan University, Immunization Record, and Perioperative Preceptorship Approval Form) must be completed and submitted to the Centre. In addition, verification of active registration with the College for Practical Nurses is required. The tuition for the course is $2,500.00 and must be paid in full before admission to the course (textbooks are extra and to be purchased by student). Learning Activity Packages The program is divided into four specific components: LPNR 300 Introduction to LPN Perioperative Nursing Students are introduced to fundamental perioperative nursing concepts as established by The Canadian Practical Nurses Association (CPNA). Anatomy and terminology specific to perioperative nursing is reviewed. Parameters for assisting the anesthetist in the maintenance, monitoring and management of anesthesia are defined and roles of the perioperative LPN within the surgical team are explored. The client, as a unique individual, is examined in relation to the perioperative experience.
LPNR 301 Perioperative Nursing Theory Students examine the care of the client in the perioperative, intraoperative, and postoperative phases of surgery. Preparing a safe surgical environment; utilization and care of surgical instrumentation and equipment; surgical asepsis and sterile technique; preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative client care; the roles of the scrub and circulating nurse, and surgical site management are explored. LPNR 302 Perioperative Techniques Within a laboratory setting, students review and practice theory and concepts relative to perioperative nursing. Under direct supervision, students develop the confidence and competence to perform the principles and techniques essential in the scrub and circulating nursing roles required to function in the LPN perioperative preceptorship. LPNR 302 is a 10-day (over 2 full weeks) hands on experience in a mock operating room which takes place at the Centre for Nursing Studies. LPNR 303 Clinical Preceptorship Under the supervision of a preceptor, the student provides direct client care in the perioperative setting during this 10.5 weeks (420 hours) of clinical preceptorship. Students are exposed to a variety of surgical experiences and scrub and circulate on a variety of surgical procedures within various specialties. Students gain experience and confidence to function independently, providing safe and effective client care. Reminder: Completion and submission of the Perioperative Preceptorship Approval Form must be received prior to being accepted for admission in to the LPN Perioperative Program. Assessment of Learners Students are required to obtain a grade of 70% in the theoretical component of this program. The theory component is followed by a two-week laboratory experience that highlights the skills covered in the theoretical portion of the program. This laboratory component is facilitated by an instructor who will evaluate the students performance at the end of the two-week session. The laboratory component is allotted a pass/fail grade, which indicates whether the student has completed the laboratory component successfully. Satisfactory completion of the skills lab is required prior to continuation into the clinical component of the program. During the 420 hours of preceptored clinical experience, evaluation occurs based on formative and summative data utilizing a comprehensive evaluation tool. The assigned preceptor, the instructor and the student is actively involved in the evaluation process. The clinical experience is allotted a pass/fail grade, which indicates whether the student has completed the preceptorship successfully. Successful completion of the clinical experience is required to achieve a passing grade in the program. Out-of-Town Invigilators Students who live outside the St. John s area complete examinations with the assistance of a designated invigilator, whose role is to supervise the examinations.
Invigilators are selected by the program facilitator, based on previous experience in this role, and usually are professionals in the perioperative area with a health care or education background. Invigilators administer the examinations and forward them to the program facilitator for grading. The invigilator may contact the program facilitator by telephone, at any time, to address problems/concerns that may arise. Clinical Preceptors In an operating room facility, the LPN works with a qualified preceptor on a one-to-one basis. The preceptor is an operating room LPN who plans and supervises the student s experience and keeps track of the student s progress. Written evaluations are discussed both with the student and the program facilitator before becoming part of the student s permanent record. Learning Environment Completion of the theoretical component of the program will be completed online, through distance delivery. Learning Materials and Resources Online computer access to required study modules Access to Firefox (NOT Internet Explorer) web browser is strongly recommended for adequate use of electronic communicating and material submission. Required textbooks Required readings Access to other learning materials e.g. articles Information and grading schemes for examinations Self-Instructional Modules Provide the Following Guidance Specific learning objectives Directed reading in accompanying textbooks Extra information not provided in textbooks Learning activities related to objectives A post-test at the end of each module to allow the student to evaluate his/her readiness for the supervised examination Answers to the post-test Evaluation of the Program Evaluation is ongoing throughout the program. Both students and instructors are encouraged to provide feedback on how the program is delivered. An evaluation form is used for written feedback and students are encouraged to provide both positive and negative comments about the program. These forms are then reviewed by the program facilitator.
Changes and improvements are made where possible, and requests for changes are forwarded to Grant MacEwan University for consideration. Advantages of the Program This program is a self-study, online, model. The program is available to students throughout Newfoundland and Labrador and they can study at home without having to leave their community. However, students may have to travel outside of their home community for the two-week skills laboratory session, and depending on the availability of suitable operating room facilities, the clinical experience may have to be completed elsewhere. Materials and current information are readily available online through Grant MacEwan University. Online access codes will be provided to students by the Centre for Nursing Studies and Grant MacEwan University. Clinical preceptors are highly qualified professionals who work exclusively with students to orientate them to the acute operating room practice setting and assist them to build on their levels of competence throughout the clinical preceptorship period. Prior Learning Assessment The Centre for Nursing Studies offers Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) as a service to students who feel they may have achieved learning through previous knowledge and experience.
REGISTRATION CHECKLIST Required Information/forms to be submitted: MacEwan University Continuing Education Enrollment Form Centre for Nursing Studies Registration Form Completed & signed Perioperative Preceptorship Approval Form Copy of active registration with the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador Copy of current CPR certificate Pre-Clinical Placement Requirements Please return completed registration information and forms to: Tracey Evans Centre for Nursing Studies Southcott Hall 100 Forest Rd. St. John's, NL A1A 1E5 Phone: 777-8162; Fax 777-7324 E-Mail: tracey.evans@mun.ca