A New Starter's First Week in Theatre: Five Things to Have Ready Before Day One
A new starter's first week in theatre sets the pattern for what follows. This post gives theatre managers one idea and one action for Monday.
The idea: do not leave the first week to chance. A new starter is learning your people, your lists, your equipment and your routines all at once. A short written plan lets the whole team know what happens on each day.
The action: write a one-page first-week plan before the next person arrives. The five things below are a starting point.
Five things to have ready before day one
A named buddy for the first shift. One experienced colleague who knows they are the buddy, with time allowed for it on the roster.
A walk through your own routines. The WHO Surgical Safety Checklist has three phases: sign in, time out and sign out. Local wording and practice vary between theatres, so show the new starter how your team does each one rather than assuming they know.
Introductions by name and role. Our earlier post on introducing the team by name and role sets out why this small habit matters.
First lists that match their experience. Look at their recent case mix and start on familiar ground where the roster allows.
A check-in at the end of each day, and a longer one on day five. Put the times on the roster so they happen.
Why the first week matters beyond day one
A first week that feels organised tells a new starter something about the team. It also gives you early information about how they work, which is useful alongside what you learned at interview. If you are reviewing how you interview, see our post on interview questions for theatre hires.
If the new starter is returning to theatre after time away, the first week matters even more. Our post on hiring a returning theatre nurse covers the checks to make before the offer.
Roster details matter too. If the role includes on-call, the first week is the time to explain how it works, as set out in our post on on-call in theatre roles.
Your action for Monday
Write the one-page plan for the next person who joins your theatre. Name the buddy, list the routines to walk through, and put the check-in times on the roster. Then ask the last person who started what they wish had been in it.
What is the one thing you always show a new starter on their first morning?
Source: World Health Organization, New checklist to help make surgery safer, 24 June 2008.
Building or keeping a strong theatre team?
If you would like a confidential conversation about your theatre workforce, contact Paul on 0435 583 849 or email paul@carejobz.com
