Overview
Our nurse residency program prepares you to transition into a competent, safe and confident nurse who successfully practices in an acute care setting. Surgical nurses manage patient care throughout the perioperative phase while promoting:
- Safety
- Infection control
- Innovative surgical techniques for optimal patient outcomes
After a 3-day general orientation, the surgical nurse residency is 6-12 months long. The program includes time on the unit with a preceptor. You will rotate through varying specialties and experience both circulator and scrub roles.
Nurse residency goals
- Promote safe clinical practice
- Provide a strong competency-based orientation
- Support the advanced beginner nurse in strengthening essential nursing skills
- Develop clinical leadership skills at the point of care
- Link research-based evidence to practice outcomes and incorporate these principles into patient care
- Decrease nurse turnover rates
- Promote a lifelong commitment to professional nursing
- Demonstrate effective clinical decision-making skills related to clinical judgment and performance
Benefits
Participating nurses receive:
- Full salary
- Excellent benefits package
- Dedicated preceptors and educators for guidance and support
- Robust curriculum
Curriculum
Instructor-led classes contain content specific to operating room nursing. Specialty speakers deliver presentations on equipment and tools utilized in the operating room.
Self-paced online modules
The Periop 101 program, written by the Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses, is utilized to embed evidence-based practice.
Franciscan Health Simulation Center
The Franciscan Health Simulation Center adds an innovative teaching methodology to help integrate new knowledge into surgical nursing practice. Nursing residents will practice both low- and high-fidelity simulations prior to performing in the operating room. Simulations using a high-fidelity manikin promote confidence during emergency situations.
The Simulation Center consists of:
- Four simulations rooms
- Two debriefing rooms
- Control room
- Medication room with a working Pyxis
Requirements
Nurses who meet the following criteria are eligible for a nurse residency at Franciscan Health:- First nursing role (or less than one year of experience) or have never worked in acute healthcare
- Graduated from an accredited nursing program with an ASN, BSN or MSN
- Current RNs transitioning to the surgical nurse role from a previous RN role
Application Process
When you are hired into the surgery department, you are automatically enrolled into your service line residency and its associated Franciscan Health Nurse Residency Program.
Our Location
While class location may vary, most classes will take place at our Education Center or our Indianapolis campus:
Contact Us
For more information about our Surgical nurse residency program for nurses, contact:
Kim Swisher, MSN, RN-BC, CCRN-K
RN Residency Coordinator
Phone: 317-528-3945
Email: Kim.Swisher@FranciscanAlliance.org