From the operating room to the classroom: How one nurse is helping shape surgical education

During his time as a perioperative nurse, Jim Millward, RN, BSN, was always passionate about improving the health and well-being of those in his community—and that drive extended far beyond his day-to-day duties in the OR. Without fail, Millward jumped at the chance for any learning opportunities that crossed his path, such as attending conferences and workshops and shadowing colleagues who inspire him.

Today, as a  senior manager of professional education at Johnson & Johnson Institute, Millward (pictured at right) oversees the development of educational materials that teach nurses and healthcare professionals (HCPs) about the latest surgical technologies and how to provide better outcomes for patients based on the safe and effective use of Johnson & Johnson products.   

Millward’s passion for educating comes at a crucial time: The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) reports that the national nursing shortage is forcing healthcare workers to work longer hours with more patients than ever. Studies show that training from skilled nursing educators boosts patient safety and outcomes while also improving nurses' confidence and job satisfaction.

Below, Millward shares what inspired him to become a nurse and what the transition to educating HCPs—now his top priority—was like.

Q: What initially motivated you to become a nurse?

Jim Millward: I was always interested in helping other people. When I entered nursing, I had my mind set on becoming a perioperative nurse. I was fascinated by surgical procedures, patient care and the collaborative dynamic in the OR. You work closely with surgeons, anesthesiologists and other HCPs; it’s a very team-oriented atmosphere impacting and saving lives through skills, knowledge and compassionate care.

The profession also offered many other perks, including flexibility, job security and a collaborative working environment that I knew I’d thrive in.

There are numerous pathways for growth and advancement; you can move into advanced practice, management and leadership roles, as well as obtain specialty certifications. Professional growth is paramount to me, and I felt nursing would both challenge me in my daily responsibilities and provide me with unlimited opportunities to grow and learn.

Q: What was it like to work in the OR?

JM: Every day was like stepping into a unique challenge. I was expected to assist with many types of surgical procedures. It’s an engaging and exciting environment to work in, but also a challenging one. When you enter the OR, there are beeping machines and HCPs bustling around. There is a sense of urgency. You have to think critically, act swiftly and face the unexpected; complications suddenly occur and the pressure spikes. That can be very overwhelming to some people. But I learned how to maintain my composure during tough, life-threatening situations. I became resilient.

As a nurse, you are also the patient’s advocate. It is your job to ease any concerns they have and reassure them that you will be there every step of the way, even when they can’t speak up. At the end of each day, I felt as though I played an important part in a successful procedure that changed someone’s life. That was very rewarding.

My team is constantly thinking of new ways to meet the varied needs of nurses, surgeons and surgical technologists so we can give them the tools to advance and excel at their jobs.

Q: What led you to become an educator?

JM: As a nurse, I had always embraced the opportunity to educate others. I traveled to conferences where I learned how to administer new technologies and tools. Then, I’d return home and host training sessions to teach my fellow nurses about those solutions. One year, for example, I attended a workshop on minimally invasive surgeries, where I learned how to safely utilize new equipment and monitor patients for complications. At the time, this type of surgery was groundbreaking, especially in pediatrics. After the conference, I returned home and developed workshops, presentations and hands-on seminars to teach my peers about the techniques I learned. I was also involved in various precepting and mentoring programs. Becoming an educator was a natural fit for me.

After eight years in the OR, I was ready to explore new opportunities beyond the hospital walls, while still staying closely connected to the clinical side of surgery and the HCPs who care for patients.

Q: What kind of educational resources do you develop at Johnson & Johnson Institute?

JM: As an educator, I am constantly collaborating with my team to craft new programming that teaches HCPs how to execute new techniques, perform groundbreaking procedures and manage rare complications. For example, we offer programs on surgical wound closure that include training on the latest techniques and safe and efficacious usage of our products. We also offer programs on innovative stapling skills and energy devices, including ultrasonic and bipolar energy devices, that are used to safely cut, coagulate and dissect tissue during surgical procedures.

Our Johnson & Johnson Institute education content targets various specialties, including colon and rectal surgery, thoracic surgery, bariatric surgery, general surgery and gynecologic surgery. We offer virtual and in-person educational programs that include hands-on opportunities in which HCPs practice using our devices under the guidance of our faculty. The learning environment is collaborative; HCPs are able to share their knowledge and learn about best practices from their peers.

We also offer continuing education credits through our Johnson & Johnson Institute EMPOWOR Program, which helps nurses meet state requirements for ongoing education to maintain licensure or earn toward maintaining their certifications. My team is constantly thinking of new ways to meet the varied needs of nurses, surgeons and surgical technologists so that we can give them the tools to advance and excel at their jobs.

Multiple studies have shown that patient outcomes drastically improve when we invest in educating our nurses. Having skilled nurses in an OR setting significantly reduces mortality rates, prevents hospital readmissions and boosts patients’ quality of life.

Q: Why is it so crucial to have skilled, qualified nurses right now?

JM: Because of the ongoing nursing shortage, many nurses are being asked to take on more responsibilities. When a hospital is understaffed, nurses can wind up working overtime and in increasingly stressful environments.

They may treat a higher volume of patients with more diverse medical needs. Nurses, for example, may treat one patient with appendicitis, another who was in a traumatic car accident and others who are undergoing a joint replacement or cardiac bypass. Some patients may have chronic conditions, infectious diseases or respiratory problems, such as pneumonia or asthma.

Having a robust skill set provides them with the ability to meet those fluctuating demands and effectively treat all their patients quickly and efficiently.

Multiple studies have shown that patient outcomes drastically improve when we invest in educating our nurses. Having skilled nurses in an OR setting significantly reduces mortality rates, prevents hospital readmissions and boosts patients’ quality of life. They advance the overall functioning of our healthcare system. Having a skilled nursing workforce is essential.

Q: What kind of impact do you hope to have on HCPs working today?

JM: I continue to be driven by a strong desire to improve patient care and outcomes. Similar to my time in the OR, every day presents a new challenge that excites me. After more than 30 years with Johnson & Johnson, I remain energized by the opportunities to shape educational programs that strengthen healthcare teams and ultimately improve lives.

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