[Thegrudge101]

Ok,

Due to a lack of available med-surg and other preceptor spots, I have been assigned the OR. I honestly do not know much about OR nursing and was wondering what are some basic things I should prepare for/study/be aware of for this experience so I dont look like an idiot.

Also, I know this is kind of a superficial question, but what kind of salaries are there in OR nursing starting out and with 10-20 yrs. experience. I know these numbers will vary greatly, but Im just looking for a ballpark figure as OR is very new to me.

[brewerpaul]

If it's blue, don't touch it!

[brewerpaul]

I was being a tad facetious and hoping that others would chime in.
Much of the sterile stuff is wrapped in blue wrappers so a good general rule is to stay away from blue areas. Watch how the nurses move around a sterile field and try to mimic them.
Ask a LOT of questions. There will be a lot to absorb. Take a little notebook and jot down your questions so you can ask them during quiet times: beginning and ending times of a big case are probably too busy but in between there should be calmer times where you can chat with the circulator.
Check out the "So you're observing in the OR" thread.

Look here and watch a few surgeries online: http://www.or-live.com/
Talk to as many people on the OR staff as you possibly can: nurses,Docs, techs,housekeeping,booking people, PACU. Everyone has their own views on what's going on.

[kadiddle]

I was glad to see this post. I too, will be precepting in OR this May. I am excited and it's what I chose, but I am nervous too. The hospital has even offered me a job afterwards. ( I think that has something to do with the fact that my husband works there too, not because I'm an expert or have some special skill. And.... they're desperate?!?) So I'm hoping this will be a good experience. I have a few questions too.
1) Are all the doctors and nurses cutting up during surgery all the time? I keep hearing interesting stories.
2) Are the doctors and nurses grumpy alot? (I've been told they eat their young! Or is that just at this hospital?)
3) Do most of the nurses take turns being scrub nurse, circulating nurse, etc?

[WitchyRN]

Many ORs are taking the "grow your own" approach. There is a shortage of OR nurses, so I'm not surprised they offered you a job afterwards. You'll know most people by that point and will be adjusted to the culture of that OR. They'll know what your strengths and weaknesses are and it'll be a lot easier to train you because of that.

We have fun in the OR but turn serious when a patient isn't doing well. Many of our rooms have radios etc but we focus on the task at hand and that patient is our main focus. I like our sense of teamwork-you have to be at work anyway, why not enjoy the people you work with.


Some staff and surgeons can be grumpy, but most people are nice. Surgeons also love to teach so ask questions(during a good time, of course) and let them know that you are interested in what's going on. Some OR nurses and techs can be tough but I've learned to not let small things bother me. If someone is being really abusive, I do say something though.

Some places have the RNs scrub, some don't. In my OR, I will scrub a couple of times a week, and our call is sometimes scrub call. I personally think that all OR nurses should know how to scrub but some hospitals don't feel that way.

[kadiddle]

Thanks so much for your input. I am really excited and looking forward to the experience. I am really a very easy person to get along with, and I have a great sense of humor. I am comfortable with myself, but I do tend to be apprehensive in new settings. I suppose most people are. I do like to learn and ask questions. I guess I am just hoping that most of the people will be patient with my learning curve!

[land64shark]

I just did my preceptorship in the OR and I also had been hired on for after Dec. graduation. I actually wish I had done my preceptor time on the floor. Sure, the time in the OR was of value, but being brand new to nursing, I feel I missed out on some important basic learning. Oh well, I'll manage. So far it's going fine. You'll do fine too.

[kadiddle]

I agree that time on the med/surg floor would be beneficial as a new grad. However, having been an LPN for over 27 years, I have had plenty of experience with floor nursing. In fact, I have done med/surg, pediatrics, step-down nursery, home health, and worked in a pediatrician's office. So I am really looking forward to something new and different. And I really don't particularly care for regular floor nursing. Just not my thing, although I'm glad there are others who enjoy it.