98 - Immersing Rutgers Nursing Students into Perioperative Practice via DEU

Description: Introduction
The Dedicated Education Unit (DEU) initiative was developed to address the gap in perioperative nursing education among undergraduate nursing students. This project immersed 19 Rutgers nursing students with an interest in perioperative services into a structured clinical experience designed to enhance their foundational knowledge, competency, and preparedness for perioperative practice.

Description of Team
This collaboration was led by Rutgers University faculty, RWJBarnabas Health system leadership, clinical instructors, and dedicated preceptors. Key team members included Alexandria Lindower, MSN, RN, CNOR, MLSO, and Brittany McCormack, BSN, RN, CNOR, both of whom served as Professional Development Practitioners during the program. With 10 and 6 years of experience respectively in the operating room, they played a pivotal role in facilitating education, skill validation, and mentorship, ensuring a seamless transition between didactic and clinical experiences. The multidisciplinary team worked collectively to bridge academia and professional practice, fostering a comprehensive learning environment.

Preparation and Planning
Prior to program implementation, a robust curriculum was developed to supplement students' clinical experiences, incorporating lecture-based instruction on basic asepsis and perioperative principles alongside kinetic skill validation. A rotational schedule and onboarding process were designed in collaboration with Rutgers University and RWJBarnabas Health senior leadership to ensure seamless integration into perioperative settings.

Assessment and Implementation
Students were guided through perioperative nursing competencies via structured clinical exposure, direct mentorship from experienced preceptors, and ongoing evaluations. Clinical instructors facilitated post-experience debriefing sessions with students and preceptors to reinforce learning and foster reflection. Additionally, a formal preceptor-student evaluation process was integrated to assess progress and feedback, culminating in an end-of-course debrief that included Rutgers University faculty, students, and RWJBarnabas Health senior leadership.

Outcomes and Implications
This initiative successfully enhanced students' knowledge of perioperative nursing, strengthened institutional collaboration, and created a streamlined hiring pathway. Two students were recruited into perioperative nursing roles within RWJBarnabas Health and remain employed, demonstrating successful retention over two years. Additionally, the partnership between Rutgers University and RWJBarnabas Health continues to evolve, supporting specialty nursing education and promoting workforce readiness.

Through DEU, nursing students gained a structured introduction to perioperative practice, improving onboarding and orientation experiences post-hire. The success of this model underscores its potential for expanding perioperative nursing education within undergraduate programs, reinforcing the importance of early exposure to specialty areas.