Background: Orientation programs are crucial for introducing individuals to educational institutions, internships, residencies, and workplaces, providing insight into expectations and operational procedures. However, at Marian University, there was a notable absence of a formalized orientation program for nurse anesthesia students before their immersion into the clinical setting.

Purpose: This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project assessed the impact of a structured, student-led clinical orientation program on enhancing student preparedness in clinical environments. As part of this initiative, clinical site handbooks were developed to give students site-specific expectations, guidelines, and vital information pertinent to each clinical setting before their clinical immersion.

Methods: Quantitative data were collected using electronic pre- and post-educational surveys using a 5-point Likert scale. Essential information for clinical site navigation was disseminated through handbooks created and posted on a dedicated Canvas page.

Implementation: A convenience sample of 10 Marian University Student Registered Nurse Anesthesia (SRNA) students participated in this project. Before the educational orientation, pre- test surveys were provided to students to identify any practice or knowledge gaps among the participants and any additional information needed before their initial clinical rotation.

Conclusion: Overall, the findings indicate a significant increase in student preparedness (p< 0.001) post-implementation of the clinical orientation program. Clinical site handbooks were found notably beneficial (p<0.05), and the adopted teaching methods were deemed significantly advantageous (p<0.001).

Creator

• Jarvis, Morgan, M.

• Starr, Sara R.

Language

• English

Keyword

• nurse anesthesia

• curriculum development

• orientation program

• SRNA

Date created

• 2024

Resource type

• Research Paper

Rights statement

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-OW-EU/1.0/