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Operating Room Nursing - RPN to RN Bridging

Certificate of Accomplishment | CE0105

Program Overview

The Operating Room Nursing - RN Bridging certificate program is designed for operating room nurses who have obtained a prior OR certificate as a registered practical nurse (RPN) and who are now a registered nurse (RN) seeking to advance their practice in perioperative nursing. This certificate is based on the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) competencies for perioperative nurses, current research, and adheres to the current Operating Room Nurses Association of Canada (ORNAC) Standards, Guidelines, and Position Statements for Perioperative Registered Nurses. 

OPER 511, OPER 512 and OPER 513 are completed via Prior Learning and Recognition (PLAR) assessments. Upon successful completion of the assessments, learners will complete the online and lab course, OPER 514.

Following the theory courses, learners will move to the clinical placement consisting of 80 hours (two weeks full time). The clinical placements are arranged with Humber College’s partner institutions and are completed on a full-time basis without exception. Completion of the clinical placement includes a focus on circulating nurse skills or scrub skills in novel specialties which are demonstrated at the novice level. 

Applications are open for the January 2025 intake. Please complete the following application: Apply here

Note:  courses are restricted to approved applicants only

Curriculum

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Course Name 2024/2025 Academic Year 2025/2026 Academic Year 2026/2027 Academic Year
Compulsory Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb
OPER 511: Operating Room Foundations
OPER 512: Operating Room Surgical Procedures
OPER 513: Operating Room Laparoscopic Procedures
OPER 514: Operating Room - RN Circulating
OPER 517: Operating Room Nursing RN Bridging - Clinical Component

Compulsory Courses

OPER 511 Operating Room Foundations
  Start Date: January 2025, March 2025  
The registered nurse or registered practical nurse engages in this dynamic online and lab- based course to examine the principles of perioperative nursing practice, the Operating Room Nurses Association of Canada (ORNAC) documents, and regulatory body practice standards. Nurses utilize prior knowledge and compare that with new learning about ethical patient care, patient safety and risk management, asepsis, and infection prevention and control within perioperative nursing. Nurses explore the principles of perioperative phases, perioperative zones, wound closure, and basic instrumentation. Nurses practise the following psychomotor skills in the OR lab setting: Surgical hand scrub, and gowning and gloving self. Successful nurses demonstrate competence in these psychomotor skills in the OR lab setting which are novice level skills required of the perioperative scrub nurse.

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OPER 512 Operating Room Surgical Procedures
  Start Date: January 2025, April 2025  
The registered nurse or registered practical nurse engages in this dynamic online and lab-based course to examine further principles of perioperative nursing practice, utilizing Operating Room Nurses Association of Canada (ORNAC) documents and regulatory body practice standards. The nurse explores anatomy, physiology, nursing process, perioperative principles and skills, and patient education related to common operative procedures such as gynaecological, ENT, and general surgeries. Nurses participate in case studies and group activities that include a focus on patient safety and physiological stability. Nurses practice new skills within the OR lab setting: Psychomotor skills include movement around sterile fields, setting the table, handling instruments, doffing contaminated gown/glove, regloving self and others, and counting from the scrub perspective. Successful nurses demonstrate competence in these psychomotor skills in the OR lab setting which are novice level skills required of the perioperative scrub nurse.

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OPER 513 Operating Room Laparoscopic Procedures
  Start Date: February 2025, May 2025  
Registered nurses or registered practical nurses engage in this dynamic online and lab-based course to examine further principles of perioperative nursing practice as established by the Operating Room Nurses Association of Canada (ORNAC) documents and regulatory body practice standards. Nurses interpret additional strategies for infection control/protection, urgent and emergency responses required for sentinel events, and managing resources and techniques for the patient undergoing laparoscopic surgery. Nurses analyze ethical, professional practice and safety while exploring healthcare technology specific to laparoscopic operative procedures. Nurses practice these new skills within the OR lab setting: Positioning, skin prep, draping, and set up and handling of laparoscopic instruments. Successful nurses demonstrate competence in these psychomotor skills in the OR lab setting which are novice level skills required of the perioperative scrub nurse.

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OPER 514 Operating Room - RN Circulating
  Start Date: February 2025, May 2025  
The registered nurse engages in this dynamic online and lab-based course to examine theoretical principles of the circulating nurse role as established by the Operating Room Nurses Association of Canada (ORNAC) documents and regulatory body practice standards. The registered nurse interprets the role of the circulating nurse within the following main categories: Ethical and professional practices, safety and risk prevention, infection control/protection, physiological stability of the patient, responses to urgent and emergent situations. The registered nurse analyzes data in order to anticipate potential patient complications specific to perioperative settings. Registered nurses practice these new skills within the OR lab setting: Surgical counts and surgical safety checklist from the circulating perspective and assistance at time of intubation. Successful nurses demonstrate competence in these psychomotor and communication skills in the OR lab setting which are novice level skills required of the perioperative circulating nurse.

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OPER 517 Operating Room Nursing RN Bridging - Clinical Component
  Start Date: February 2025, May 2025  

The registered nurse (RN) participates in this clinical course within the perioperative clinical setting in order to build upon principles and knowledge practised as a prior OR RPN. RNs are required to demonstrate safe and professional practice at the novice level* according to Operating Room Nurses Association of Canada (ORNAC) Standards, Guidelines, and Position Statements for Perioperative Registered Nurses. The RN will collaborate effectively with Humber College faculty and members of the health-care facility in this preceptored, two-week, full time clinical course. The RN is scheduled with a preceptor(s) and participates entirely in the circulating nurse role for two weeks of full-time shifts or upon OR leadership request, primarily in the circulating nurse role with the option to be introduced to more advanced surgical cases in the scrub nurse role.

*According to the Operating Room Nurses of Canada (ORNAC) Standards, Guidelines, and Position Statements for Perioperative Registered Nurses, "the novice states and/or demonstrates knowledge and skills but is still learning to anticipate and incorporate perioperative skills into efficient planning, actions, and clinical decision-making. Performance requires supervision, coaching, and precepting." (ORNAC, 2023, p.1-2).

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Faculty Highlights

Gillian Gravely

Gillian has been a Perioperative nurse for over 30 years.  She did her nursing and OR training in Ireland and the UK.  She worked in multiple roles in the Operating Room at Toronto General Hospital for over 28 years which culminated in her being the OR Manager for both operating rooms at Toronto General and Princess Margaret Hospitals for over 10 years.  Gillian is passionate about teaching and has been a Clinical Instructor for the Operating Room Certificate at Humber since its reintroduction in 2020.  She is delighted to be able to share her experience with nurses who are keen to develop their knowledge and skills as perioperative nurses. 
 

Lena Chamberlain

Lena Chamberlain, RN, BScN, CPN ©, earned her Diploma in Nursing from Humber College in 2001.  She went on to complete her Operating Room Certification with Honors from Humber College in 2002.   Lena Completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Metropolitan University in 2006.  Lena has over 18 years of Surgical and Ambulatory care nursing experience and over 7 years experience as a Perioperative clinical service manager and clinical nurse educator.   

Lena facilitates continuing education, professional development and evaluation of clinical skills for nursing staff. As an educator, Lena creates opportunities for nursing staff to acquire and maintain their required skills, and believes strongly in helping others with long term learning goals.   

Lena is a long standing member of the Registered Nurses of Ontario Association as well as a member of Operating Room Nurses Association of Canada. 

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Contact Us

Humber Continuous Professional Learning Health Sciences & Wellness
cplhealthsciences@humber.ca
416.675.6622 ext. 4554


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