Program Overview

Doctoral Projects

The Doctoral Projects program is designed to evaluate knowledge acquisition of Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) participating in a surgical First Assist (FA) educational program.

Program Overview

The program consists of a five-day surgical FA course, which includes didactic learning, lecture, small groups, skills lab, and surgical simulation. The course aims to provide APPs with the knowledge base and surgical skills necessary to function as an FA, while complying with the mandated content set forth by the Association of perioperative Registered Nurses (AORN).

Program Details

• Degree Type: Doctoral Project
• Degree Name: Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
• Department: Nursing
• Advisors:
  • First Advisor: Alice Butzlaff
  • Second Advisor: Clair Kuriakose
• Keywords: APP, AORN, First Assist, RNFA, Advanced Practice Providers

Abstract

The purpose of this project was to evaluate knowledge acquisition of APPs participating in a surgical FA educational program. The course showed an increase in both confidence and competence in surgical skills, in addition to an increase of knowledge base by over 25 percent overall.

Program Structure

The program includes:

• Five days of didactic learning
• Lecture
• Small groups
• Skills lab
• Surgical simulation
• Pre- and post-course knowledge assessment to measure level of knowledge on perioperative management
• Surveys to inquire about level of confidence, professional experience, and prior surgical first assist experience

Publication Details

• Author: Sandra Walton Mobley
• Publication Date: 2019
• Institution: California State University, Northern California Consortium Doctor of Nursing Practice

Research Areas

The program focuses on perioperative management, surgical first assist, and advanced practice providers. The research areas include:

• Perioperative management
• Surgical first assist
• Advanced practice providers
• RNFA standards
• AORN guidelines

Conclusion

The surgical FA educational program is designed to provide APPs with the necessary knowledge and skills to function as an FA in the perioperative environment. The program has shown to increase confidence and competence in surgical skills, as well as knowledge base, and complies with the mandated content set forth by the AORN.