ABSTRACT
Along with surgeons, anesthesia professionals, and RN circulators, surgical technologists are essential members of the perioperative team. Despite a partnership with a local community college that offered a surgical technologist degree program, Norton Healthcare in Louisville, Kentucky, continued to experience a shortage of surgical technologists. To meet demands, the clinical educators at the facility developed an in-house Surgical Technologist Apprentice Program (STAP). The STAP consists of six weeks of didactic learning and hands-on training in an OR simulation laboratory, followed by a six-month preceptorship in the OR. This program has proven invaluable, particularly as the COVID-19 pandemic increased the need for personnel who are not only skilled in the OR but also can provide essential frontline patient care when needed. Together, the STAP and the college partnership offer a career-building opportunity for those in entry-level positions who may not otherwise be able to afford to train for this specialized role.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Pandemics , Humans , Pandemics/prevention & control , Delivery of Health Care , Learning , WorkforceABSTRACT
Along with surgeons, anesthesia professionals, and RN circulators, surgical technologists are essential members of the perioperative team. Despite a partnership with a local community college that offered a surgical technologist degree program, Norton Healthcare in Louisville, Kentucky, continued to experience a shortage of surgical technologists. To meet demands, the clinical educators at the facility developed an in-house Surgical Technologist Apprentice Program (STAP). The STAP consists of six weeks of didactic learning and hands-on training in an OR simulation laboratory, followed by a six-month preceptorship in the OR. This program has proven invaluable, particularly as the COVID-19 pandemic increased the need for personnel who are not only skilled in the OR but also can provide essential frontline patient care when needed. Together, the STAP and the college partnership offer a career-building opportunity for those in entry-level positions who may not otherwise be able to afford to train for this specialized role.
ABSTRACT
Nurse leaders play integral roles in the health care system as they focus on patient quality of care and safety at a high level and lead teams of frontline staff. Nurse leadership turnover during COVID-19 poses challenges not only for continuity of patient care but also for organizations that may fail to meet their specific goals. When a nurse leader role is not filled, gaps in care delivery occur. Our institution developed the Leadership Immersion and Aspiring Leader Programs prior to COVID-19 that provide application to theory opportunities to new nursing leaders who are prepared to fill leadership positions.