A structured education and mentoring program boosted the confidence and skills of novice perioperative nurses, while also improving workplace culture and staff retention, new Australian research shows.
The case study, published in the Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing (AJAN), involved 20 novice nurses undertaking a three-month rotation across 14 perioperative speciality areas with support from an assigned nurse mentor between 2021 and 2024. The learning program was designed to track the knowledge, confidence, and capability of early-career nurses entering the perioperative setting.
High pressure
Turnover rates for senior perioperative theatre nurses (those with nine or more years of experience) remain a challenge in high-pressure perioperative settings, researchers note, with attrition made worse by an experienced ageing workforce nearing retirement. A lack of supportive learning bridging the theory-to-practice gap often leads to “transition shock” and poor staff retention within the speciality.
Inside the program
The program was implemented at a metro hospital within the Northern Adelaide Local Health Network.
Participants received one-on-one mentorship with a focus on developing core perioperative skills and confidence.
Confidence and capability improve
Nineteen of the 20 novice nurses reported increased confidence in their knowledge and overall confidence in the clinical area by the end of the program. Most (72.7%) rated the overall learning experience as excellent and identified mentoring as the most valuable element of the intervention.
One novice nurse described working closely with their mentor and feeling supported, saying: “My mentor was always available. I love it and want to stay”.
Barriers and lessons
Organisational impacts were identified as the main barrier, including a lack of staff and time pressures.
Overall, workplace culture was improved for all staff, as well as improvements in staff retention. Several participants expressed a desire to remain in perioperative nursing after completing the program.
Implications for practice
Authors acknowledged the challenges to implementing the program more widely, particularly staffing shortages and workload pressures.
Nevertheless, they argue that the findings reinforce the value of a structured education and mentoring program in the perioperative setting.
“Organisational constraints will continue to affect the perioperative environment and mentoring roles, however, greater efforts should be made to ensure mentors are trained, supported and appreciated, focusing on establishing a supportive culture for novice nurses to learn,” authors said.
Read the full study here
