Registered Nurse (Surgical) Onboarding Checklist

Registered Nurse (Surgical) Onboarding Process

Are you looking for help setting up a staff orientation process so that when your new Registered Nurse (Surgical) starts their role, they can learn about their responsibilities and your company as quickly as possible? Whether you’re keen to use buddy onboarding, want to automate your Healthcare onboarding experience or just need an onboarding checklist for your new Registered Nurse (Surgical), you’re in the right place. We’ve put together a sample Registered Nurse (Surgical) onboarding checklist below and have created onboarding templates & resources to help.

Registered Nurse (Surgical) Onboarding Checklist

1. Orientation: The new registered nurse (RN) attends a comprehensive orientation program that introduces them to the organization’s policies, procedures, and culture. This task is typically performed by the human resources department or a designated orientation coordinator.

2. Facility Tour: The RN is given a tour of the healthcare facility, including the surgical unit, operating rooms, recovery areas, and other relevant departments. This task is usually performed by a nurse manager or a designated staff member.

3. Introduction to the Team: The RN is introduced to their immediate team members, including other nurses, surgeons, anesthesiologists, and support staff. This task is typically performed by the nurse manager or a designated preceptor.

4. Review of Policies and Procedures: The RN is provided with a comprehensive review of the organization’s policies and procedures related to surgical nursing, including infection control, medication administration, and patient safety protocols. This task is usually performed by the nurse manager or a designated educator.

5. Training on Electronic Health Records (EHR): The RN receives training on the organization’s EHR system, including how to document patient information, order medications, and access relevant clinical data. This task is typically performed by the nurse manager or a designated IT trainer.

6. Review of Surgical Equipment and Supplies: The RN is familiarized with the surgical equipment, instruments, and supplies used in the operating room. This task is usually performed by the nurse manager or a designated surgical services coordinator.

7. Shadowing Experienced Nurses: The new RN shadows experienced surgical nurses to observe and learn the specific routines, workflows, and best practices in the surgical unit. This task is typically performed by a designated preceptor or experienced nurse.

8. Review of Emergency Protocols: The RN is educated on emergency protocols specific to the surgical unit, such as responding to a code blue or managing a surgical complication. This task is usually performed by the nurse manager or a designated educator.

9. Introduction to Surgeons and Anesthesiologists: The RN is introduced to the surgeons and anesthesiologists they will be working with, establishing rapport and understanding their expectations. This task is typically performed by the nurse manager or a designated preceptor.

10. Review of Patient Care Plans: The RN reviews sample patient care plans and learns how to develop individualized plans for surgical patients, considering their specific needs and surgical procedures. This task is usually performed by the nurse manager or a designated educator.

11. Training on Surgical Procedures: The RN receives training on common surgical procedures, including pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative care. This task is typically performed by the nurse manager or a designated educator.

12. Review of Medication Administration: The RN reviews the organization’s medication administration policies and procedures, including safe medication practices, dosage calculations, and potential drug interactions. This task is usually performed by the nurse manager or a designated educator.

13. Introduction to Interdisciplinary Team: The RN is introduced to other members of the interdisciplinary team, such as physical therapists, occupational therapists, and social workers, who play a role in the surgical patient’s care. This task is typically performed by the nurse manager or a designated preceptor.

14. Review of Infection Control Practices: The RN receives training on infection control practices specific to the surgical unit, including hand hygiene, sterile technique, and prevention of surgical site infections. This task is usually performed by the nurse manager or a designated infection control nurse.

15. Introduction to Quality Improvement Initiatives: The RN is introduced to the organization’s quality improvement initiatives, such as patient safety programs and performance improvement projects, and learns how to actively participate in these initiatives. This task is typically performed by the nurse manager or a designated quality improvement coordinator.

16. Review of Documentation Requirements: The RN reviews the organization’s documentation requirements, including charting standards, incident reporting, and patient education documentation. This task is usually performed by the nurse manager or a designated educator.

17. Training on Equipment and Technology: The RN receives training on the use of specialized equipment and technology used in the surgical unit, such as surgical robots, laparoscopic instruments, and patient monitoring systems. This task is typically performed by the nurse manager or a designated equipment specialist.

18. Introduction to Ethical and Legal Considerations: The RN is educated on ethical and legal considerations specific to surgical nursing, such as informed consent, patient confidentiality, and end-of-life care decisions. This task is usually performed by the nurse manager or a designated ethics committee member.

19. Review of Safety Protocols: The RN reviews safety protocols specific to the surgical unit, such as fire safety, hazardous material handling, and patient transfer techniques. This task is usually performed by the nurse manager or a designated safety officer.

20. Introduction to Continuing Education Opportunities: The RN is informed about the organization’s continuing education opportunities, such as conferences, workshops, and online courses, to enhance their knowledge and skills in surgical nursing. This task is typically performed by the nurse manager or a designated education coordinator

Setting Up Your Employee Onboarding Process

From reading through the items in the example Registered Nurse (Surgical) checklist above, you’ll now have an idea of how you can apply best practices to getting your new Registered Nurse (Surgical) up to speed and working well in your Healthcare team. Scroll up to see the link to our onboarding templates & resources or get in touch to discuss getting help setting up your systems and processes in this area.