Abstract
Purpose: To investigate the perceptions of perioperative nurses regarding the use and impact of cross-training in the perioperative department. Participants and setting: Scrub and scout perioperative nurses (n=8) who had completed a one-day recovery room cross-training program in a large tertiary private health care organisation in Western Australia.
Method: One-to-one, semi-structured interviews of perioperative scrub–scout nurses.
Findings: The participants perceived the positive aspects of cross-training were teamwork, professional satisfaction and added value to patient care. The aspects that inhibited participants from learning or taking part in the cross-training program were staffing issues, lack of confidence and burnout.
Conclusion: Cross-training supported effective staffing and quality patient care; however, training needs to be protected from disruption to ensure participants develop confidence and competence in the new areas contributing to workforce satisfaction, retention and patient safety.
Recommended Citation
Platt, Mellisa S.; Coventry, Tracey; and Monterosso, Leanne
(2019)
"Perioperative nurses’ perceptions of cross-training: A qualitative descriptive study,"
Journal of Perioperative Nursing: Vol. 32
:
Iss.
1
, Article 4.
Available at: https://doi.org/10.26550/2209-1092.1042
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