RN OR Training Program

This intense program, conducted by VEI, an affiliate of Indianapolis-based Community Health Network, prepares nurses for a career in surgical nursing. It is normally offered twice per year, in January and June, and presents an educational curriculum based on the evidence-based care standards from the Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses (AORN) Periop 101 curriculum.

The RN Operating Room Training Program is a full-time, paid, six-month long orientation into the operating room that will focus on both theory and skill. It provides supportive instructions, demonstrations and clinical experience necessary to actively scrub and circulate on a variety of surgical procedures. Candidates selected for the OR Training Program are hired as full-time employees.

Class size and facility participation vary according to facility-specific staffing needs.

View a Presentation about the OR Training Program>>

Requirements

• This program is for Indiana licensed RNs with limited or no previous surgical experience in the operating room.
• We accept associates and bachelor’s degrees from NLN or CCNE-accredited schools of nursing. A new graduate may be interviewed prior to completing the NCLEX exam and a contingency offer may be extended contingent upon receipt of RN licensure. RN licensure must be obtained prior to the start date of the program.
• Selected applicants will be hired at one of the participating facility sites.
• A two-year, signed commitment is required of any candidate hired to participate in the program. Due to the intensity and complexity of the program, participants need to allow two years to fully develop their skills in the operating room.

Learning Opportunities

The program offers integrated learning experiences of classroom instruction, followed by hands-on clinical rotations in the OR department where the candidate is hired. Participants are exposed to both circulating and scrub roles, under the direction of experienced and skilled on-site preceptors.

Classroom Instruction

• Classroom lectures include - but are not limited to - aseptic technique, prepping, gowning, gloving, instrument names, suture selection, laparoscopic procedures, and draping.
• Candidates will attend core circulating and scrub classes throughout the six-month program.

Clinical Experience

• The hands-on training portion of the program occurs at the facility where the candidate is hired. This allows for a smooth transition as the nurse becomes a part of the perioperative team.
• Circulating rotation for 11 weeks at the site where the candidate is hired.
• Scrub rotation for 10 weeks at the site where the candidate is hired.

Program Completion

Upon successful completion of the six-month long program, candidates will work as regular full-time staff members on our surgical teams, actively scrubbing and circulating on a variety of surgical procedures.

Participating Sites

Site participation is dependent upon facility staffing needs at time of interviews, and may include any of the following locations:

• Community Hospital North Surgical Services
• Community Hospital East Surgical Services
• Community Hospital South Surgical Services
• Community Heart and Vascular Hospital
• Community Surgery Center Hamilton
• Community Surgery Center North
• Community Surgery Center East
• Community Surgery Center South
• Community Surgery Center Howard
• Hancock Surgery Center

Contact us

Thank you for your interest in the RN Operating Room Training Program.

For more information, please e-mail a manager