Perioperative Nursing (Online)

Three members of a surgical health care team wearing scrubs in a sterile environment complete a procedure.

Advance your nursing career with specialized training in perioperative care. Prepare for an in-demand role in the operating room by enhancing your surgical nursing skills to support patients before, during and after surgery.

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Credential

Ontario College Graduate Certificate

Duration

Other

Start Date(s)

Ongoing

Locations

Online

Open to

Domestic Students

CIP Code

51.3812

Find your career

Skilled perioperative nurses are essential to providing patient-focused care before, during and after surgery. Working as part of the health care team, perioperative nurses:

Prepare patients for surgery by providing education and conducting preliminary assessments.
Ensure patient and staff safety by applying infection control and aseptic principles to maintain a sterile environment.
Assist in surgery by passing instruments, monitoring the patient and supporting the surgical team.
Deliver compassionate post-operative care by managing pain, monitoring recovery and preventing complications.
Support patients of all ages undergoing a wide range of surgical procedures, including ENT, pediatrics, orthopedics, trauma, plastics, neurosurgery, ophthalmic, cardiac, vascular, thoracic, genitourinary, geriatric and ambulatory surgeries.

Is it for you?

A nursing career specialized in perioperative nursing may be a good fit if you are:

Compassionate and patient-focused.
Able to think quickly in high-pressure situations.
A strong communicator and team player.
Skilled in problem-solving and critical thinking.
Comfortable in a fast-paced, technical environment.

How you'll learn

Flexible learning that fits your life.

Gain the knowledge and practical skills needed to thrive as part of a perioperative team through a blend of online learning and hands-on clinical experience.

Understand the roles of the scrub and circulating nurse, including assisting with anesthesia, patient positioning, basic instrumentation, sutures, needles and surgical modalities.
Explore key nursing concepts to support patient care, such as wound healing, post-operative care and pain management.
Prepare for diverse procedures by gaining insight into the nursing care required for a range of surgeries.
In preparation for your clinical placement, practise safe and sterile techniques during a two-day, in-person lab at Quinte Health – Trenton Memorial Hospital.
Throughout your studies, the Operating Room Nurses Association of Canada (ORNAC) Standards will be referenced to support learning.

Please note: This program is designed for licensed nurses currently working in a perioperative role or those who have secured employer support for a perioperative nursing placement. Placement is completed on a full-time basis over a four-week period.

Courses

HLTH8155 Perioperative Nursing 1

This course is designed to provide the nurse with a basic knowledge level of the roles s/he will fulfill in the perioperative setting. The role of the scrub and circulating nurse are explored as part of the perioperative team. The course focuses on patient and staff safety, infection control and aseptic principles, the nurses role in assisting with anesthesia and patient positioning in collaboration with other team members, basic instrumentation, sutures and needles and surgical modalities. The focus will be on the adult patient(age 19-65). The overall goal of the course is to present the information and skills required to prepare the nurse to practice within a surgical setting at a beginners level. The ORNAC Standards (Operating Room Nurses Association of Canada) are referred to whenever applicable to support learning.

HLTH8156 Perioperative Nursing 2

This course explores wound healing, post-operative care and pain management. The focus is then on the nursing care required and the various procedures related to gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary, gynecologic, hernias and breast surgeries. The adult patient (ages 19-65) is the targeted population. The overall goal of the course is to present the information and skills required to prepare the nurse to practice within a surgical setting at a beginner’s level. The Operating Room Nurses Association of Canada (ORNAC) Standards are referred to whenever applicable to support learning.

HLTH8157 Perioperative Nursing 3

This course focuses on the nursing care required and the various procedures related to ENT, neck/thyroid/parathyroid, paediatrics, plastics/reconstructive, orthopedics, trauma, neurosurgery and ophthalmic surgeries. The adult patient (ages 19-65) is the targeted population with the exception of the paediatric lesson. The overall goal of the course is to present the information and skills required to prepare the nurse to practice within a surgical setting at the beginner’s level. The Operating Room Nurses Association of Canada (ORNAC) Standards are referred to whenever applicable to support learning.

Prerequisite: HLTH 8155

HLTH8158 Perioperative Nursing 4

This course focuses on the nursing care required and the various procedures related to cardiac, vascular, thoracic, geriatric, genitourinary and ambulatory surgeries. Interventional and Image Guided procedures are aslo explored. A lesson is included on the surgical hand scrub, gowning and gloving as a refresher for the student prior to entering the clinical placement. The adult patient (ages 19-65) is the targeted population with the exception of the geriatric lesson. The overall goal of the course is to present the information and skills required to prepare the nurse to practice in a surgical setting at the beginner’s level. The Operating Room Nurses Association of Canada (ORNAC) Standards are referred to whenever applicable to support learning.

Prerequisite: HLTH 8155

HLTH8549 Perioperative Nursing Lab

This lab will prepare the student for the Perioperative Nursing placement by providing opportunities to demonstrate an awareness of safe and sterile practices in the perioperative environment. The student will review and demonstrate self-preparation, handling, and set-up techniques designed to maintain sterilization in the operating room, with additional emphasis on patient outcomes and positioning related to a variety of surgical procedures. Activities will be evaluated according to standards of professional practice as set forth by the Operating Room Nurses Association of Canada. This course consists of online coursework that is available on the course start date and ends with two (2) days in-person at Quinte Health - Trenton Memorial Hospital, where you will be in a lab setting in the operating room. Current RN or RPN License

Prerequisite: HLTH 8155, HLTH 8156, HLTH 8157, HLTH 8158

WKPL8003 Perioperative Nursing Placement

A 150-hour placement to apply theory to the perioperative clinical setting that suits your learning needs. Pre-Clinical Requirements: current RN or RPN registration, current CPR, completed Loyalist College health form, clear criminal record check (dated within one month of clinical).

Prerequisite: HLTH 8155, HLTH 8156, HLTH 8157, HLTH 8158, HLTH 8549

*Courses subject to change.

Additional courses information

Please note:

Courses should be completed in the order listed. Please take note of courses with pre-requisites or co-requisites. Registration requests may be denied if these have not been satisfied.
Students should complete all program requirements within seven years.
Students may apply to receive the credential after completing all required courses.
Visit Loyalist Focus for more information and to register for courses.

Required courses

HLTH 8155	Perioperative Nursing 1
HLTH 8156	Perioperative Nursing 2
HLTH 8157	Perioperative Nursing 3
HLTH 8158	Perioperative Nursing 4
HLTH 8549	Perioperative Nursing Lab
LMSP 8001	Distance Placement Orientation
WKPL 8003	Perioperative Nursing Placement (150 hours)

For information about courses that are currently available, visit Loyalist Focus.

Admission Requirements

This program is open for enrolment on a course-by-course basis. Students should possess a current RN or RPN designation prior to registering for courses.

Please note: Proof of the above is required in order to go on placement, graduate from this program and receive your certificate.

Costs

Approximate costs (2024–25)

Course availability and costs can be found at Loyalist Focus.

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