Competency-based orientation for registered perioperative nurses.

A comprehensive orientation is essential for new nurses who plan to practice in the perioperative area. The traditional perioperative orientation program at our hospital was not effective, so we developed a competency-based orientation program to improve patient care, decrease costs, and increase new nurses' confidence and perioperative skills. Program results have been positive and rewarding and have provided many new perioperative registered nurses whose practice is based on sound principles.