NEWS RELEASE
21 January 2015
Nurses celebrate 10 years of Operating Room induction program
Nursing staff at Auckland DHB are celebrating this month after completing the 10th year of a successful Operating Room
(OR) education program.
More than 200 nurses have completed the New to OR course since it was introduced in January 2004, with more than 120
nurses remaining in post. And, of those who left, around 50 have remained in the perioperative environment, both
nationally and internationally.
Nurse Consultant, Tracey Lee, is the facilitator for the course which runs two to three times a year. “The 12-week
course has naturally progressed over the years to ensure standardised training and education across all Auckland DHB
ORs, and incorporates knowledge and skills across approximately 22 specialties that use the operating rooms.
“Candidates have theory study days on specific aspects and roles within the OR before moving into the clinical area to
work alongside their preceptor. The emphasis is to provide a safe learning environment that uses all aspects of training
such as the simulated OR in the Clinical Skills Centre,” she adds.
Candidates are supernumerary during the course and are either new graduates or those with nursing experience but not in
operating rooms.
New to OR nurse, Jeeyoung Yi, who took part in the course last year says: “Understanding the complexities of
pre-operative preparation, and post-operative care gave me a greater understanding of the patients’ journey through the
perioperative area and how this care impacts on patient outcomes.”
Each new nurse has a chance to focus on a particular area of practice at a time and develop skills in a nursing role
while gaining confidence, before moving on to a different nursing role.
Auckland DHB’s Chief Nursing Officer, Margaret Dotchin, applauded the achievement. “The dedication of the nurse
educators, charge nurses and preceptors who support the New to OR nurses to gain the knowledge and then apply it to
nursing practice in the clinical area, is testament to the program’s success.”
“And for more than 80 per cent of nurses to remain in posts in our ORs or in perioperative care elsewhere is impressive.
I congratulate all those involved.”
To find out more about the course, contact Sonu Anand at the Careers Centre on (09) 638 0429, e-mail: sonua@adhb.govt.nz or look out for the forthcoming advert in April.
For further information about a career with Auckland DHB visitwww.careers.adhb.govt.nz.
ENDS