1
Reviewed 01/23
Vanderbilt Perioperative Nurse Internship Syllabus
Course Instructors:
Jennefer Payne, MSN, RN, CNOR - Manager Perioperative Education
Office: (615) 936-0754
Leslie Strech, MSN, RN, CNOR- Nursing Education Specialist
Office: (615) 322-7387
Andrea Honeycutt, MSN, RN, CNOR – Nursing Education Specialist
Office: (615) 936-0859
Sophie Wilk, BSN, RN – Nursing Education Specialist
Office: (615) 936-8523
Peggy Hughes, BS, CST3 – Lead Surgical Technologist
Office: (615) 936-5903
Perioperative Learning Center Mission Statement:
The mission of the Perioperative Learning Center is to provide excellence in the education and training of team
members, equipping them with the knowledge they need to deliver safe, competent patient care.
Credo:
Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) is driven by its Credo. As an employee at VUMC, you are
required to exemplify the Credo daily. Its’ Who We Are!
• Patient/Customer Focus: I make those I serve my highest priority.
• Problem-solving: I will take responsibility for finding a solution to any problem or complaint.
• Accountability: I will do my part to ensure the success of VUMC.
• Service Excellence: We provide excellence in health care, education, and research.
• Respect for All Others: We treat others as we wish to be treated.
• Continuous Improvement: We continuously evaluate and improve our performance.
Time and Attendance
Attendance and punctuality are mandatory during both the didactic and clinical portions of the program. If an
Intern violates time and attendance policies, they may be removed from the program. Please refer to the
following VUMC policies for more information regarding attendance.
Ground Rules
The Ground Rules agreement will be distributed for expectations around employee conduct.
2
Reviewed 01/23
Physical Requirements/Environment: Follows job description for registered nurses.
Course Description: The Vanderbilt Perioperative Nurse Internship Program is focused on providing training
and education to Registered Nurses (RNs) who are either new graduates or have been previously employed in
non-OR nursing positions. The program is also strongly recommended for RNs who have not worked in the
intraoperative setting for five years or more. New grad candidates will be required to have at least a BSN to
be eligible to apply. Internal candidates with OR experience (i.e., Surgical Technologists, Licensed Practical
Nurses) may be selected to participate with an Associate Degree. A BSN is required within three years.
This Internship program is designed to equip nurses with the fundamental skills that are critical for providing
patient care in the operating room. The didactic portion of the program consists of classroom lectures, self-
paced online modules through AORN, lab skills practice, as well as clinical implementation.
The course will consist of approximately 12 weeks of 8-hour days (5 days per week), progressing to an
assigned shift at the discretion of the service line manager. Classroom hours will vary but are typically
between 6:45am -3:15pm. Final placement in a service line will be based on the departmental needs. Service
line orientation will continue after the fundamentals are achieved until competency is reached. Progress
meetings will be established with the Intern, Manager, and Educator including preceptor feedback.
Professional Organization
Association of Operating Room Nurses, Inc. (AORN) 2170 South Parker Rd, Suite 300
Denver, CO 80231-5711, (800) 755-2676, http://www.aorn.org
Objectives: The Perioperative Nurse Intern will achieve competency and independence as demonstrated by
return demonstration and validation of fundamental skills, service line procedures, and equipment as
evidenced by successful completion of the skills listed in the orientation folder/templates. The Intern will be
responsible for acquiring signatures from Preceptors, Educators, and Managers, where indicated to
complete the required forms and validate performance. Fundamental skills include, but are not limited to:
• Patient Identification, Assessment, and Interview
• Aseptic Technique
• Sterilization/Disinfection
• Surgical Skin Preps
• Wound Class Interpretation
• Documentation
• Surgical Counts
• Specimen Handling
• Positioning
• Scrubbing Fundamentals
• Medication Safety
• Universal Protocol
• Normothermia
• Electrosurgical Unit Safety
• Implant Handling
3
Reviewed 01/23
Human Resources Section
• Employees are in a probationary period for the first 90 days of the nurse internship program.
• Accurate completion of all appropriate documentation (i.e., orientation folder) is required for
graduation from the program.
• Each employee will have a six-month evaluation done by their Patient Care Manager.
The following criteria must be met to successfully complete the nurse internship program:
• Successful completion of the AORN Periop 101 final exam with a minimum average of 80% within three
attempts.
• Successful completion of lab skill’s checkoffs, instrument test, and supply test with a passing score of
90%.
• Successful completion of a scrub skills check-off test with a passing score of 90%.
• Successful completion of all service line orientation as evidenced by direct observations and
documentation.
If an intern does not complete all the above criteria successfully, perioperative leadership will develop an
individualized action plan which may include remediation, resignation, or de-selection from the program.
PERIOPERATIVE NURSE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM AGREEMENT
The syllabus for the Vanderbilt Perioperative Nurse Internship Program has been reviewed with me. I have
had the opportunity to ask questions and fully understand the content herein. I agree to abide by the
guidelines established in this syllabus for the program.
Name: __________________________________________________
Signature: _______________________________________________
Date: ___________________________
