Periop Talk

Burnout in Perioperative Nursing: Key Takeaways from the Video

This conversation between Jake Runion, sr. manager of AORN’s Center for Perioperative Leadership and Tammy Hanks, Perioperative Practice Specialist at AORN, highlights the critical issue of burnout among perioperative nurses. Here are the key takeaways:

High Burnout Rates: The vacancy rate for OR nurses is at 16%, with a significant portion leaving within their first year. This is causing delays and cancellations in surgeries.

Factors Contributing to Burnout:

• Unpredictable Schedules: OR nurses often have fluctuating schedules, making it difficult to plan personal lives.
• Lack of Staffing: Understaffing creates a heavy workload and pressure on existing nurses.
• Stressful Work Environment: The fast-paced and demanding nature of the OR can contribute to stress.
• Poor Onboarding: Inadequate mentorship and training for new nurses can lead to feelings of inadequacy and overwhelm.

Solutions for Reducing Burnout:

• Flexible Scheduling: Facilities should explore options for flexible schedules to accommodate work-life balance for nurses.
• Creative Staffing Solutions: This could involve utilizing retired nurses for specific tasks, or collaborating with nursing schools to develop strong perioperative pipelines.
• Strong Preceptor Programs: Invest in training preceptors on how to effectively guide and support new nurses.
• Leadership that Listens: Nurse leaders need to actively listen to staff concerns and involve them in finding solutions to staffing challenges.
• Opportunities for Growth: Providing opportunities for professional development can help nurses feel valued and engaged in their careers.

Long-Term Impact: The current trends of burnout and high turnover rates can discourage new nurses from entering the perioperative field, potentially creating a nursing shortage in the future.

Periop Talk: https://www.aorn.org/about-aorn/aorn-newsroom/periop-talk 

#ORNurse #Nursing #Nurse #Nurses #Periop #NurseBurnOut #NurseLife #NursesCare #Perioperative

Support the show

Welcome to the Periop Talk—your go-to podcast series where we examine the world of perioperative nursing.

Episode after episode, we're bringing you professional tips, clinical wisdom, and personal stories that highlight the real world of perioperative nursing.
 
Curious about the latest surgical techniques? We got you. Wondering how to navigate the challenges of the periop journey? We're here for that too.

Our podcast series isn't just about sharing information; it's about building a community. Meet the people behind the masks, hear their journeys, and join the rotation of periop professionals making a difference. From students and new nurses to seasoned pros, we've got content for every stage of your perioperative practice.

Periop Talk is your peek behind the red line to the world of perioperative nursing. It's not just about the OR – it's about the heart and soul of healthcare. Let's scrub in and start making surgery safer, one podcast at a time.

Watch more episodes at: (1) Periop Talk vlog - YouTube

Safe patient handling is crucial for perioperative nurses as it protects both themselves and their patients. According to the CDC, manual patient handling is the leading cause of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) among healthcare workers. The updated AORN Guideline for Safe Patient Handling and Movement offers evidence-based practices to minimize these risks by promoting the use of ergonomic tools and proper lifting techniques, ultimately creating a safer environment for both nurses and patients. 

Support the show

Welcome to the Periop Talk—your go-to podcast series where we examine the world of perioperative nursing.

Episode after episode, we're bringing you professional tips, clinical wisdom, and personal stories that highlight the real world of perioperative nursing.
 
Curious about the latest surgical techniques? We got you. Wondering how to navigate the challenges of the periop journey? We're here for that too.

Our podcast series isn't just about sharing information; it's about building a community. Meet the people behind the masks, hear their journeys, and join the rotation of periop professionals making a difference. From students and new nurses to seasoned pros, we've got content for every stage of your perioperative practice.

Periop Talk is your peek behind the red line to the world of perioperative nursing. It's not just about the OR – it's about the heart and soul of healthcare. Let's scrub in and start making surgery safer, one podcast at a time.

Watch more episodes at: (1) Periop Talk vlog - YouTube

Perioperative nurses are known for their exceptional advocacy strength, often protecting patients from harm in the most vulnerable situations. But when it comes to advocacy, how good are you at advocating for yourself? A recent article indicated that, among 34% of nurses who wanted to quit their jobs, 52% said they were dissatisfied with their salary. So, it is important to think about how you would negotiate a salary increase or promotion.

Support the show

Welcome to the Periop Talk—your go-to podcast series where we examine the world of perioperative nursing.

Episode after episode, we're bringing you professional tips, clinical wisdom, and personal stories that highlight the real world of perioperative nursing.
 
Curious about the latest surgical techniques? We got you. Wondering how to navigate the challenges of the periop journey? We're here for that too.

Our podcast series isn't just about sharing information; it's about building a community. Meet the people behind the masks, hear their journeys, and join the rotation of periop professionals making a difference. From students and new nurses to seasoned pros, we've got content for every stage of your perioperative practice.

Periop Talk is your peek behind the red line to the world of perioperative nursing. It's not just about the OR – it's about the heart and soul of healthcare. Let's scrub in and start making surgery safer, one podcast at a time.

Watch more episodes at: (1) Periop Talk vlog - YouTube

Clear Communication for Better Care: A Guide to Team Dynamics in the OR

For perioperative nurses, effective teamwork is crucial for patient safety. 

Building a Culture of Safety

A strong foundation for good communication is a culture of safety. This means every team member feels empowered to speak up about concerns and errors without fear of blame. Here's how to foster this culture:

• Open Communication: Encourage honest and respectful communication.
• Error Reporting: Make it safe to report errors and near misses so the team can learn and improve.
• Shared Goals: Establish clear patient safety goals and hold everyone accountable.
• Teamwork: Promote a collaborative and supportive environment.

Streamlining Communication Processes

Structured communication processes minimize misunderstandings and ensure all team members are on the same page. Here are some key practices:

• Standardized Hand-offs: Use a clear and consistent method for transferring patient care between team members and departments.
• Team Briefings: Conduct pre-surgical briefings to discuss the procedure, patient information, and any potential concerns.
• Site Marking: Clearly mark the surgical site before the procedure to avoid errors.
• Time-Outs: Pause before every surgery to verify the correct patient, site, and procedure.
• Surgical Safety Checklists: Use a standardized checklist to ensure all critical steps are completed during surgery.
• Debriefings: Conduct a structured debriefing after surgery to discuss the case and identify areas for improvement.

Education is Key

Ongoing education is essential for maintaining effective communication skills. This includes training on:

• Teamwork and Communication Techniques
• Use of Surgical Safety Checklists
• Strategies for a Culture of Safety

By implementing these practices, perioperative nurses can significantly enhance communication within the OR, leading to better patient outcomes and a stronger team dynamic.

Support the show

Welcome to the Periop Talk—your go-to podcast series where we examine the world of perioperative nursing.

Episode after episode, we're bringing you professional tips, clinical wisdom, and personal stories that highlight the real world of perioperative nursing.
 
Curious about the latest surgical techniques? We got you. Wondering how to navigate the challenges of the periop journey? We're here for that too.

Our podcast series isn't just about sharing information; it's about building a community. Meet the people behind the masks, hear their journeys, and join the rotation of periop professionals making a difference. From students and new nurses to seasoned pros, we've got content for every stage of your perioperative practice.

Periop Talk is your peek behind the red line to the world of perioperative nursing. It's not just about the OR – it's about the heart and soul of healthcare. Let's scrub in and start making surgery safer, one podcast at a time.

Watch more episodes at: (1) Periop Talk vlog - YouTube

Still in crisis mode from the pandemic and its aftermath, many nurses are feeling tired and somewhat disgruntled, and may be looking for greener pastures.

However, the journey toward “greener grass” can begin without hopping the fence, suggests Jill Graham, BSN, RN.

As a surgical services co-educator (and her team’s unofficial counselor and mediator), Graham made it her mission to foster a less toxic culture in nursing, starting with her own practice.

She realized that “culture healing will not happen until we as individuals choose something different and commit to making a difference in our little bubble of culture.”

She gave us four excellent ways nurses can make basic changes in mindset that can ignite and spread a culture of healing.

1. Don’t Add to Negativity

Repeatedly bringing up a colleague's mistake doesn't make anyone feel good. When you choose not to dwell on a colleague's mistake, you are respecting their humanity. If there is a conversation that needs to happen to process an event, go privately to a trusted coworker, but be careful not to let it degenerate into a bashing session. Instead, focus on finding solutions.

1. Shut Down the Racetrack

We often let our mistakes play over and over in our head or engage in the same disheartening interactions with coworkers. Make a conscious choice to stop dwelling on it. To do this, acknowledge how the situation makes you feel, determine to have a conversation (if needed), and then move on. Ultimately, avoid defining your coworkers, or yourself, by their mistakes.

1. Recognize Things Aren’t All Bad

Culture only begins to heal when we objectively see the truth of what is happening. Even on a 'bad' day, there are many things to be grateful for: coworkers, camaraderie, positive patient outcomes, your abilities, and technology, among others. When you frame your day differently, you genuinely start to feel better and lighter.

1. Just Smile

Research shows that simply smiling can bring your mood up as well as those around you. It may feel fake (especially behind a mask), but there is always something to smile about. The more you focus on being the positive change agent, the more you will see positivity.

Support the show

Welcome to the Periop Talk—your go-to podcast series where we examine the world of perioperative nursing.

Episode after episode, we're bringing you professional tips, clinical wisdom, and personal stories that highlight the real world of perioperative nursing.
 
Curious about the latest surgical techniques? We got you. Wondering how to navigate the challenges of the periop journey? We're here for that too.

Our podcast series isn't just about sharing information; it's about building a community. Meet the people behind the masks, hear their journeys, and join the rotation of periop professionals making a difference. From students and new nurses to seasoned pros, we've got content for every stage of your perioperative practice.

Periop Talk is your peek behind the red line to the world of perioperative nursing. It's not just about the OR – it's about the heart and soul of healthcare. Let's scrub in and start making surgery safer, one podcast at a time.

Watch more episodes at: (1) Periop Talk vlog - YouTube

In this episode of Periop Talk AORN gives a sneak preview into the new High-Level Disinfection Guideline and how these key changes will impact your daily practice. Perioperative nurses play a vital role in the disinfection process:

• Enhanced communication: Ensuring seamless handoff of devices to decontamination with details about pre-treatment and device condition.
• Verification before disinfection: Introducing a crucial step - cleaning verification testing with magnification and the use of borescopes for a deeper look.
• The importance of drying: We'll explore new research highlighting the importance of thorough drying for all lumens of instruments and scopes before storage.

Perioperative nurses are key players in upholding aseptic technique and ensuring patient safety throughout the surgical journey. Their role in high-level disinfection contributes significantly to preventing infections and promoting positive patient outcomes.

Support the show

Welcome to the Periop Talk—your go-to podcast series where we examine the world of perioperative nursing.

Episode after episode, we're bringing you professional tips, clinical wisdom, and personal stories that highlight the real world of perioperative nursing.
 
Curious about the latest surgical techniques? We got you. Wondering how to navigate the challenges of the periop journey? We're here for that too.

Our podcast series isn't just about sharing information; it's about building a community. Meet the people behind the masks, hear their journeys, and join the rotation of periop professionals making a difference. From students and new nurses to seasoned pros, we've got content for every stage of your perioperative practice.

Periop Talk is your peek behind the red line to the world of perioperative nursing. It's not just about the OR – it's about the heart and soul of healthcare. Let's scrub in and start making surgery safer, one podcast at a time.

Watch more episodes at: (1) Periop Talk vlog - YouTube

The opportunity to start fresh in a different department is a gift. Once you are there, take advantage of everything and everyone. Staff are designated to help teach you the art and science of their practice, so be physically, mentally, and emotionally present to absorb every bit of it. Understand that there are many ways to accomplish the same task and be open to a new way. Keep the best of what you learn and add it to your toolbox. Start to build your own practice with the help of others. Remember that every unit is full of various personalities and styles. They each contribute to the uniqueness of the department and should enhance, rather than inhibit, your growth. Sidebar 1 provides tips for transitioning from an expert to a novice nurse.

Support the show

Welcome to the Periop Talk—your go-to podcast series where we examine the world of perioperative nursing.

Episode after episode, we're bringing you professional tips, clinical wisdom, and personal stories that highlight the real world of perioperative nursing.
 
Curious about the latest surgical techniques? We got you. Wondering how to navigate the challenges of the periop journey? We're here for that too.

Our podcast series isn't just about sharing information; it's about building a community. Meet the people behind the masks, hear their journeys, and join the rotation of periop professionals making a difference. From students and new nurses to seasoned pros, we've got content for every stage of your perioperative practice.

Periop Talk is your peek behind the red line to the world of perioperative nursing. It's not just about the OR – it's about the heart and soul of healthcare. Let's scrub in and start making surgery safer, one podcast at a time.

Watch more episodes at: (1) Periop Talk vlog - YouTube

Support the show

Welcome to the Periop Talk—your go-to podcast series where we examine the world of perioperative nursing.

Episode after episode, we're bringing you professional tips, clinical wisdom, and personal stories that highlight the real world of perioperative nursing.
 
Curious about the latest surgical techniques? We got you. Wondering how to navigate the challenges of the periop journey? We're here for that too.

Our podcast series isn't just about sharing information; it's about building a community. Meet the people behind the masks, hear their journeys, and join the rotation of periop professionals making a difference. From students and new nurses to seasoned pros, we've got content for every stage of your perioperative practice.

Periop Talk is your peek behind the red line to the world of perioperative nursing. It's not just about the OR – it's about the heart and soul of healthcare. Let's scrub in and start making surgery safer, one podcast at a time.

Watch more episodes at: (1) Periop Talk vlog - YouTube

At the foundation of any clinical relationship is trust: trust between clinicians and patients, trust among the interprofessional team members, and trust between a new hire and the preceptor. Building a trusting relationship between the new hire and preceptor takes time, but there are some things that a preceptor can do to develop the trusting relationship.

Be Explicit About Expectations
Expectations within nursing practice are often divided into two buckets: the written competency-based activities and the unwritten rules of practice. Quite different from nursing school curriculum, where grades are generated on very specific evaluation criteria, the OR requires new hires to integrate into the culture of daily practice that varies among services and surgeons. The idea that the same procedure can differ due to a surgeon’s preference for instruments is a concept with which new hires struggle.

Create Opportunities for Clinical Experiences
One of the most challenging aspects of precepting is entrusting clinical care to the new hire. Preceptors often find themselves in close proximity of the new hire because they cannot relinquish control of patient care, which presents challenges when the new hire is nearing the completion of the orientation period. Additionally, preceptors question whether or not the new hire is competent to practice independently and, therefore, can be entrusted with patient care.

Form an Environment of Feedback
New hires require feedback from their preceptors to correct behaviors and grow professionally. The preceptor should establish the frequency and format of feedback delivery, such as by summarizing feedback at the end of each shift, taking time to emphasize what went well and what needs improvement.

Create a Psychologically Safe Environment
Psychological safety, according to Edmundson and Lei, is the “perceptions of consequences of taking interpersonal risks in a particular context such as a workplace.”3 Psychological safety occurs when the orientee can anticipate how the preceptor gives feedback, responds to questions, and acts as a backup when the team asks specific questions regarding the procedure or care of the patient. Providing a structure for how feedback will be given and inviting the orientee to give feedback about the preceptor’s style of teaching can help create a psychologically safe environment, as can encouraging the orientee to ask questions in a place where others will not overhear the questions and make judgments about the orientee’s knowledge level. Another way for the preceptor to foster psychological safety is to stay close by the orientee, especially early in the orientation period, to help answer questions that team members may ask.

Take a look at written rules versus unwritten rules, action steps to develop clinical experiences, and download a feedback form at: https://www.aorn.org/the-stitch/article/building-trust-with-your-new-hire

There's more Periop Talk at: https://www.aorn.org/about-aorn/aorn-newsroom/periop-talk

#ornurse #nurselife #nurse #healthcare

Support the show

Welcome to the Periop Talk—your go-to podcast series where we examine the world of perioperative nursing.

Episode after episode, we're bringing you professional tips, clinical wisdom, and personal stories that highlight the real world of perioperative nursing.
 
Curious about the latest surgical techniques? We got you. Wondering how to navigate the challenges of the periop journey? We're here for that too.

Our podcast series isn't just about sharing information; it's about building a community. Meet the people behind the masks, hear their journeys, and join the rotation of periop professionals making a difference. From students and new nurses to seasoned pros, we've got content for every stage of your perioperative practice.

Periop Talk is your peek behind the red line to the world of perioperative nursing. It's not just about the OR – it's about the heart and soul of healthcare. Let's scrub in and start making surgery safer, one podcast at a time.

Watch more episodes at: (1) Periop Talk vlog - YouTube

The physical design of the surgical suite should support safe patient care, efficient movement of patients and supplies, and workplace safety and security. The surgical suite includes the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative patient care areas and support areas, including central and satellite sterile processing areas, administrative areas, waiting areas, and staff areas. In this episode of Periop Talk Lisa Spruce, sr. director of evidence based perioperative practice at AORN, and Erin Kyle, editor-in-chief, guidelines for perioperative practice at AORN. give periop nurses a preview of the Design and Maintenance Guidelines changes and talk about why they are so important. 

Support the show

Welcome to the Periop Talk—your go-to podcast series where we examine the world of perioperative nursing.

Episode after episode, we're bringing you professional tips, clinical wisdom, and personal stories that highlight the real world of perioperative nursing.
 
Curious about the latest surgical techniques? We got you. Wondering how to navigate the challenges of the periop journey? We're here for that too.

Our podcast series isn't just about sharing information; it's about building a community. Meet the people behind the masks, hear their journeys, and join the rotation of periop professionals making a difference. From students and new nurses to seasoned pros, we've got content for every stage of your perioperative practice.

Periop Talk is your peek behind the red line to the world of perioperative nursing. It's not just about the OR – it's about the heart and soul of healthcare. Let's scrub in and start making surgery safer, one podcast at a time.

Watch more episodes at: (1) Periop Talk vlog - YouTube