LEWISTON – Beth Gagnon, Pauline Yanez and Nelson Van Horn, all RNs, are the first graduates of Central Maine Medical Center’s Perioperative Nursing Program.

Utilizing the curriculum prepared by the Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses, the trio completed a year-long course that combines classroom teaching and clinical experience to educate nurses in perioperative nursing.

The course encompasses such topics as the surgical environment, perioperative assessment, aseptic technique, operating room safety, anesthesia, positioning of the surgical patient, patient/family education and professionalism.

The nurses spent time in the Sterile Processing and Distribution Department to learn about disinfection and sterilization procedures, surgical instruments, kit preparation and packaging.

Under the supervision of individual preceptors, the students spent months in the operating room putting into practice the techniques and skills they learned in the classroom.

Gagnon attained her associate’s degree in secretarial sciences and first worked in the Medical Records Department at Mercy Hospital in Portland. She graduated from the CMMC School of Nursing in 1990.

Yanez earned her LPN degree in 1992 and has worked with diabetic/renal patients and in home health services. In 2002 she graduated from CMMC’s School of Nursing and gained certification as a registered nurse.

Van Horn graduated from the University of New England in Biddeford in 1997 with a bachelor’s degree in nursing. He said he is proud of his profession and enjoys speaking to school groups about nursing as a career.