About the Perioperative Nursing Training Course

 

The Perioperative Nursing Training Course (Periop 101) is a blended program with online modules created by the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) and offered to registered nursing professionals (RNs) by the Graduate School of Nursing.

The course offers prospective students simulation skills activities at the new state of the art simulation center on the University of Massachusetts Medical School Campus, as well a clinical preceptor experience at local hospitals/surgical centers.

Each student receives a free, one-year membership to AORN so they can take advantage of other learning resources and member benefits throughout the program as well as required course text books.

What are the course topics?

Registered nurses taking the training course will cover the following topics: 

  • Anesthesia
  • Clinical Reasoning
  • Endoscopic and MIS
  • Environmental Sanitation and Terminal Cleaning
  • Hemostasis, Sponges, and Drains
  • Medications and Solutions
  • Patient and Family Education
  • PeriAnesthesia Nursing
  • Perioperative Assessment
  • Perioperative Health Care Information Management
  • Perioperative Safety: Equipment Focus
  • Perioperative Safety: Introduction
  • Perioperative Safety: Patient Focus
  • Positioning the Patient
  • Preoperative Skin Antisepsis
  • Professionalism
  • Safe Use of Surgical Energy
  • Scrubbing, Gowning, and Gloving
  • Specimens
  • Sterile Technique
  • Sterilization and Disinfection
  • Surgical Draping
  • Surgical Instruments
  • The Perioperative Environment
  • Transmissible Infection Prevention
  • Wound Closure
  • Wound Healing

What are the course practicum requirements?

Acute care experience is strongly recommended, but new grads are welcome.
Before beginning the practicum, the following documentation is required:

  • Updated Immunization Record
  • Recent Flu Shot
  • Criminal Background Check
  • Proof of current BCLS certification
  • Current RN license

Meet the Instructor

Thereza Ayad, DNP, RN, CNORThereza Ayad - Perioperative Nursing Training Course (Periop 101) - UMass Medical Graduate School of Nursing

Thereza has been in the operating room setting since 2001 and held various positions as a Staff Nurse, Charge Nurse, Clinical Nurse Educator, and Nurse Manager all in the perioperative setting. Thereza has a BA in Anthropology, BSN in Nursing, MSN in nursing education and recently graduated with her DNP.

 

"Thereza was one of the most kind, patient and knowledgeable instructors I've encountered. Being able to see her during my clinical was an added bonus as she was always available to answer anything I asked. I'm so glad I took your course."

Mindy Vezeau, Periop 101 Student

"Professor Ayad is a wonderful teacher! She is patient, kind, and I fully enjoyed being her student."

Tina Hayat Benali, Periop 101 Student