Preparation before the operation: pre-assessment clinic continuing education course for rural perioperative nurses

Abstract

The project, Preparation Before the Operation, was designed to assess the feasibility of a rural tailored online continuing education course to address the gaps in perioperative education. The 4-week asynchronous course focused on supporting nursing education in rural preoperative settings across the south zone of Alberta. Knowles and Duchscher’s theoretical frameworks guided course content on adult learning principles. The ADDIE model for online course design underpinned the delivery methodology and course strategies. The project outcome reinforced online continuing education as an effective strategy to enhance nursing knowledge and skills in remote practice settings. This project is relevant to nursing practice as it demonstrated that investing in continuing education can have a positive impact on surgical outcomes and rural surgical environments. Because perioperative nursing requires extensive knowledge and skill beyond maintaining sterility and monitoring the patient in the operating room, this unique ruralfocused continuing education course supported rural nurses to engage and apply evidence-based knowledge to enhance preoperative care. The project was reinforced by primary healthcare initiatives, underpinned by social determinants of health. This project added to the growing body of nursing knowledge and evidence exploring the impact of social determinants of health on surgical outcomes. It also advanced preoperative nursing skills and knowledge, to reduce surgical inequities, that are critical to optimizing patients.