Ideas That Work: Mini Camps That Teach RNs How to Scrub in OR

Practical pearls from your colleagues

HCA Healthcare Central/West Texas (CWT) Division has implemented a phased program that teaches nurses scrubbing skills in the perioperative environment. The initiative was designed to bolster the confidence of nursing staff in their skills and to create opportunities for them to advance professionally.

The first phase of the training focuses on pre-surgical preparations, while the second phase deals with intraoperative skills during small general surgeries. Participants must complete 80 hours of orientation during Phase 1 before advancing to the second phase.

The nurses are placed into a two-day mini camp held in a fully operational OR SIM lab and hosted by the Institute for Learning. The first day focuses on foundational skills to provide hands-on experience with scrubbing, gowning, gloving and setting up a sterile field. Proper sterile technique and practical skills for setting up a sterile table are emphasized.

The second day is dedicated to skills surrounding handling instruments, sharps safety and how to dispense medications and solutions. Other topics include how to handle and label specimens in the sterile field, point-of-use cleaning, safe use of energy devices, and handling and reconstitution of hemostatic agents. A poster about the successful initiative was exhibited at the 2025 AORN Global Surgical Conference & Expo in Boston, authored by HCA Clinical Education Specialists Allison Mayfield, BSN, RN, CNOR; AnneMarie Leung BSN, RN, CNO; and Clinical Nurse Coordinator Lisa Bailey, BSN, RN, CNOR.

The authors said the coursework was highly effective and provided a solid foundation for further training. The preceptors appreciated that the dedicated learning time away from their units was a valuable education experience.

“The phased program for teaching RNs scrubbing skills in the OR setting offers a strategic approach to improve staff confidence and provide professional development opportunities for the OR RN,” write the authors. “By investing in comprehensive training and leveraging existing nursing talent, hospitals can upskill existing staff into new roles. This initiative has paved the way for more streamlined educational opportunities, extending even into the labor and delivery space. It creates a framework for efficient training processes that can enhance skill development across various departments.

“This foundational program has set a precedent for future initiatives to adopt a similar structure, promoting consistency and effectiveness in training across the CWT Division. The program was designed with flexibility in mind, allowing RNs to engage at their own pace and choose when to stop at any stage. This approach empowered them to maintain control over their learning journey, enhancing their overall educational experience.” OSM