Nursing School Curricula and Hospital-based Training Programs

Perioperative nursing is at the threshold of an unprecedented shortage that may affect the profession for years to come as the existing workforce ages and nursing schools continue to marginalize perioperative curricula. The purpose of this study is to investigate perioperative staffing issues, preceptorship training programs, and nursing school curricula in the metropolitan area surrounding the city of San Jose, Calif. Results show that 77% of the ORs surveyed had vacant positions and experienced moderate to severe difficulty in filling these vacancies. Results for the schools of nursing show that 83% do not offer preceptorships or clinical internships in the perioperative setting. Recommendations regarding the development of professional, community, and academic partnerships to help address the perioperative nursing shortage are presented. AORN J 76 (Dec 2002) 1022–1031.