From the classroom to the operating room, an innovative program is preparing nursing students with the training they need for a fulfilling career in perioperative nursing—a specialty focused on providing patient care before, during and after the surgery.

Perioperative nurses are essential members of the surgical team, ensuring the highest level of safety for their patients and teams. Despite their important role, entry into the field can be challenging for new nurses.

Surani Hayre-Kwan, vice president for professional practice and ambulatory patient care at Sutter Health

“The typical undergraduate nursing schools do not include exposure or experience to perioperative nursing,” said Surani Hayre-Kwan, Sutter’s vice president for professional practice and ambulatory patient care. “So, while the demand for operating room (OR) nurses is high, new nurse graduates can find it difficult to get placed in the OR without the much-needed experience.”

To address this need, Sutter Health has partnered with Samuel Merritt University, to create a program that introduces senior nursing students into the OR environment. The unique program offers first-semester seniors observational experience inside a Sutter OR, while second-semester seniors participate in a more intensive, hands-on capstone course with an experienced preceptor.

Colleen Fiammengo, nurse educator at Sutter Alta Bates Summit Medical Center

Colleen Fiammengo, a nurse educator at Sutter’s Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, who oversees the program’s framework and student placements, says Sutter leaders had a vision and looked at successful models across the country to make it happen.

“We follow AORN’s (Association of periOperative Registered Nurses) evidence-based curriculum to ensure the students are getting the education and training they need for a successful preceptorship through this partnership,” Fiammengo said. “This program is unique in that these students get to see what the anesthesiologist does, what the charge nurse does, what happens in pre-op and post-op – they get to see real perioperative nurses in the perioperative setting–training they wouldn’t normally receive in their nursing school rotation.”

Katrina Holmes, Sutter’s Interim Chief Nurse Officer, says the not-for-profit health system has enjoyed a longtime partnership with Samuel Merritt University in support of nursing development programs.

Katrina Holmes, interim chief nurse officer for Sutter Health

“It’s vital to invest in education and training programs to give new nurses the practical experience they need to thrive as they enter the workforce,” said Holmes. “At Sutter, we see firsthand how important these types of training programs are in helping to build a pipeline for future nurse professionals.”

Training in Action

For Mary Ann Devera-Pineda, medical assistant with Palo Alto Medical Foundation, SMU’s Introduction to Perioperative Nursing program was career-changing. After supporting various departments in her MA role for the past 11 years, her time in pediatric care inspired her to become a lactation nurse. When she learned of the perioperative program through SMU’s College of Nursing program, she applied and was accepted.

“I thought becoming a lactation nurse was my goal, but I also like the idea of personal growth and development, and I wanted to see what the other side of nursing was all about,” Devera-Pineda said “Once I began this training, I realized my passion as a circulating nurse. The OR feels like a sacred place, and I love that everyone has a designated role, and the same goal of making sure the surgery goes well for the patient.”

With continued guidance from her preceptor, Keith Reyes, a perioperative nurse at Sutter’s California Pacific Medical Center – Davies Campus, Devera-Pineda says she feels equipped and motivated for a future career in the OR.

Mary Ann Devera-Pineda, medical assistant with Sutter’s Palo Alto Medical Foundation

“Nursing school students don’t normally rotate in the intraoperative/OR, but here I am, growing and learning with consistency alongside nurse Keith. It’s this consistency and stability in learning that’s so important for nursing students,” said Devera-Pineda. “I feel blessed to be receiving the extra experience and additional exposure to the department that I one day want to work in.”

As a Sutter employee, Devera-Pineda says she receives a 20% discount on tuition at SMU and earned a PAMF nursing scholarship for her dedication to pursuing her nursing degree. She says she’s thankful that Sutter supports her professional development and is grateful for the opportunity to be part of the program.

“If it wasn’t for this partnership, I would never have known what the OR is all about,” said Devera-Pineda. “The timing for the program was just right. It feels like it’s meant to be. I am also thankful for Colleen for arranging and finding OR placement for students in the program.”

Honoring Perioperative Nurses

For nursing students and professionals alike, National Perioperative Week, celebrated from Nov. 10-16, is a chance to recognize and honor the dedication, expertise and compassion of perioperative nurses. Holmes says it’s important to celebrate the vital role these nurses play in the OR and to inspire more nursing students to enter this rewarding field.

“Our perioperative nurses provide exceptional, high-quality care to our patients and care teams throughout every

Mary Ann Devera-Pineda in the OR

stage of surgery.” Holmes said. “This special week reminds us of the valuable role they play and the efforts taking place to train future OR nurses with the skills they need to make a meaningful impact to patient care.”

Building the Future

Fiammengo, who has worked at Sutter for the past 34 years, says the partnership with SMU to train perioperative nurses is about inspiring and preparing students for this critical role.

“The idea of this program is to give nursing students experience, teach them how to work in the OR and to show them how fabulous it is and that this is where they want to work after graduation,” Fiammengo said. “As the next wave of nurses near retirement, this program is essential for helping to build the workforce and create the pathway.”