[ShirleyM]

Just curious...
What's your policy regarding students observing in the OR? By students I mean high school students who are interested in pursuing health care professions. Our patients must give written consent for any kind of student to observe surgery so that isn't an issue. Even if the patient gives consent for observers, I still use discretion as to whether I allow observers in my room. If I have GYN cases in my room, I don't allow any student observers during those cases. Aside from GYN, are there any other procedures you would prohibit high school students from observing?
Thank to all for your input....

[shodobe]

I will allow any and all students into my room to observe. I do not pick and choose procedures because I think it makes the the student feel they are not part of the team. We have enough problems attracting people into the profession without deciding what they can or can not watch. I mean, in med schools where everybody and their brother watch and gawk at patients in droves, what is the problem with a few students in the room. I have yet had one patient tell me they were uncomfortable with students in their room. All students sign documents to allow them into the rooms and all patients sign their consents, that states persons other than the OR team may be in the room observing for professional reasons. Patients that are awake before the procedure are asked, out of courtesy, if it is alright for students to observe their procedure, no problem.

[Gompers]

I took a class like that in high school - it was called Medical Careers and it lasted one semester, for 2 class periods in a row. Three days a week we spent in the classroom learning things like medical terminology, taking vital signs and doing basic assessments, and types of jobs in the medical field. Two days a week we went to a local hospital and shadowed all kinds of different people. One of the things we did was spend two days each in surgery.

Originally Posted by ShirleyM

Aside from GYN, are there any other procedures you would prohibit high school students from observing?

I would say any high risk surgery like open heart or trauma wouldn't be a good idea. Maybe more of a routine surgery? Believe me, we were thrilled to pieces just to be standing in the corner of the OR! Our classmates were back at school running laps in gym class or taking math tests - and we were in scrubs, masks, and hats, watching actual SURGERY! We didn't care what the heck we saw, so long as they let us watch and once in a while explained to us what they were doing. Mostly it was stuff like lumpectomies, gallbladder removals, ortho cases, and scheduled C-sections.

Now, there were two guys that saw a man with testicular cancer have a testicle removed...I would say that would be a bad one for guys. They actually were so traumatized that they refused to talk about it later on. Poor guys!!!

[grimmy]

I don't mind students watching in my room as long as they have been oriented thoroughly. I work in a big teaching facility, and we have students going through all the time. The only time I will keep people out of the doors is when things are not going well, and having extra bodies in the room makes more work for me. Happened last week, as a matter of fact. Some high school students are very mature, and others are definitely not. Depends on the student, depends on the case.

[sharann]

Originally Posted by shodobe

I will allow any and all students into my room to observe. I do not pick and choose procedures because I think it makes the the student feel they are not part of the team. We have enough problems attracting people into the profession without deciding what they can or can not watch. I mean, in med schools where everybody and their brother watch and gawk at patients in droves, what is the problem with a few students in the room. I have yet had one patient tell me they were uncomfortable with students in their room. All students sign documents to allow them into the rooms and all patients sign their consents, that states persons other than the OR team may be in the room observing for professional reasons. Patients that are awake before the procedure are asked, out of courtesy, if it is alright for students to observe their procedure, no problem.

I love your answer. We need to encourage future nurses not scare them off. Our paients are our priority of course, but we make adjustments for VIP's all the time, why not students?

[carcha]

We had this situation in one of the OR's I worked in some years ago and the student was asked to leave. I was happy with that decision. I personally do not agree with non professionals being part of such a critical environment. I can only hope that student nurses and doctors have been vetted as to how to behave in the Operating Room. Who vets the school children. I do not want school children in the operating room when I have to have surgery, I therefore will also respect other peoples dignity. As for patients not complaining I feel most people dont want to appear awful to the nursing and medical staff so dont complain. At those times we must step in.

[SFCardiacRN]

I think it is a good idea to encourage young people to enter nursing. If the patient gives permission AND the staff is comfortable with young students it is OK. Not every nurse is comfortable with this added responsibility and no one should be forced into it.