ORNAC Notice: These guidelines are currently under review by the Education Committee and may be subject to change without notice.
RULES AND REGULATIONS MANUAL
Title | Perioperative Education Programs Program Review and Approval Process: Guidelines for Self-Assessment |
Download/Print Version |
Number | 401 | |
Source | Executive & Board; Perioperative Education Committee | |
Date Revised | January 2011 | |
Date Effective | 1988 |
Perioperative Programs for Registered Nurses
Program Review and Approval Process: Guidelines for Self-Assessment
ORNAC’s Approval Process for Perioperative Programs is available only for those educational programs offering post-basic education for Registered Nurses. Programs offering perioperative education to other health care providers or to both Registered Nurses and others within the same program will NOT be evaluated or approved by ORNAC.
Purpose
The review and approval process for Perioperative Programs for Registered Nurses is intended to provide a comprehensive and systematic analysis of program structures and processes. ORNAC is primarily concerned with ensuring that beginning practitioners are prepared to practice safely, ethically and competently, thereby ensuring quality perioperative patient care. Documents that support Perioperative Programs for Registered Nurses include the ORNAC Standards, Guidelines and Position Statements for Perioperative Nursing Practice (current edition), the Code of Ethics for Nurses (CNA, 1997), Perioperative Nursing Data Set (AORN) and the applicable provincial nursing practice standards.
These guidelines have been developed to give providers of perioperative nursing education a framework for program assessment, and to facilitate the ORNAC external review process.
Each applicant for ORNAC Approval shall conduct the following self-assessment, and submit the Self Assessment Form (404) to the Chair, ORNAC Perioperative Nursing Education Committee.
IMPORTANT: ORNAC’s Approval Process for Perioperative Programs is available only for those educational programs offering post-basic education for Registered Nurses. Programs offering perioperative education to other health care providers or to both Registered Nurses and others within the same program will NOT be evaluated or approved by ORNAC.
Self-Assessment Report Format
- Name of educational institution or educational provider, address, telephone number, fax or e-mail information. Include the name of the Director or course leader of the program, with contact information. Indicate whether this is an application for first-time approval, or for renewal.
- Table of contents for the report. Clearly number all pages.
- Background information on the program should include:
3.1 Date of last ORNAC program review and approval process (if applicable);
3.2 Description of program activities that address recommendations from previous review and/or major program changes since the last review and approval process;
3.3 Other reports deemed by the educational provider to contain significant data or information that contributes to the program review process;
3.4 Two (2) copies of current course information, including syllabuses for each course in the program (indicate the date of the revision of any documents submitted);
3.5 Required textbook(s) for each course in the program;
3.6 General information about the program, including: total program hours for each course; admission requirements; program objectives and expected outcomes; cost; etc., and,
3.7 Describe areas of achievement, areas of requiring further development, as well as the challenges and opportunities faced by the educational provider in meeting specific criteria
(Using Guidelines #1-3). - Describe, explain and analyze the extent to which the perioperative program meets ORNAC Recommended Core Curriculum: Perioperative Programs for Registered Nurses. Explanations of variance will be required for criteria deemed by the self-assessment to be Not Met or Incomplete, including proposed actions to meet such criteria, with timelines. Describe areas of achievement and areas requiring further development, as well as the challenges and opportunities faced by the educational provider in meeting specific criteria.
- Conclusion
- Appendices (As listed in the Table of Contents, See Item 2)
- Application fees payable to ORNAC, as determined by ORNAC.
Guideline #1:
The curriculum provides learning experiences necessary for learners to achieve professional perioperative nursing practice appropriate for beginning practitioners.
Criteria | Sample Self-Assessment Questions | Sample Items Appended to Report |
1.1 The program’s framework for the curriculum is congruent with ORNAC Standards, Guidelines and Position Statements for Perioperative Nursing Practice (current edition) |
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1.2 The program goals & expected outcomes reflect current and emerging roles for perioperative registered nurses, and the entry-level requirements for beginning practitioners in meeting the needs of surgical patients |
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1.3 The teaching and learning strategies address trends and realities in perioperative nursing practice. |
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1.4 Program activities (courses, laboratory work, assignments, etc.) support the achievement of program goals, objectives and outcomes. |
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1.5 Evaluation strategies support the achievement of program goals, objectives and outcomes. |
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Guideline #2:
Program activities and resource support the achievement of program goals, objectives and expected outcomes.
Criteria | Sample Self-Assessment Questions | Sample Items Appended to Report |
2.1 Program evaluation methods are relevant and meaningful. |
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2.2 Partnerships with key stakeholders are in place to assist with selecting, planning, and evaluating learning and clinical experiences that facilitate the outcomes of the program. |
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2.3 Ongoing program evaluation is used to guide program revisions. |
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2.4 Faculty qualifications (academic and clinical) are appropriate to meet program goals. Preceptor qualifications are appropriate for the clinical practicum. |
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Guideline #3:
Learners are provided with opportunities to demonstrate progress toward achieving professional perioperative nursing practice.
Criteria | Sample Self-Assessment Questions | Sample Items Appended to Report |
3.1 Data on learner progress and program completion are collected, analyzed and used to guide program decisions. |
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3.2 Learners are assisted and supported in meeting program objectives and professional practice requirements. |
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3.3 Learners have access to resources and opportunities to acquire and demonstrate professional perioperative nursing practice requirements. |
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