[HididiScribbler]

Thanks so much for the info, Marie! I had my one day in the OR today, and fortunately I didn't do anything stupid (that was a relief!). It was the best clinical day I've ever had... it was absolutely fascinating, and the nurses and surgeons were great (one of the surgeons was explaining everything to me! And I even got beckoned closer so that I was really about two inches away...) I haven't really considered OR nursing before, but that was just so interesting that I just might think about it now...

[fleur-de-lis]

Today was my first day in the OR too, and it was incredible! These tips definitely helped me stay out of trouble, and eased my nerves knowing that I know what not to do! I saw a total knee replacement and it was the coolest thing I have ever seen! The surgical team was great, the surgeon was really nice and actually talked to me, asked me questions about myself - did not talk down to me at all which I thought was really nice. Great experience!

[new_mom2005]

This is a good post!!! I have printed it off ,... Thanks again for that

[ladyinred667]

I have my OR rotation on Tuesday! I'm really excited and this post did a lot to keep me from getting nervous. The only thing I am worried about is throwing up. It probably won't go that far, but I don't want to embarass myself with full body gagging!

[Deliasgone]

I had my OR observation this past Friday and your tips helped out loads! Thank you! I will also say that I absolutely fell in love with OR. I really felt at home there and it gave me the drive to keep going through school.

[collegedean]

I fainted, one incident made me eat a good breakfast before i assist an O.R. case. it was so embarassing they called me "vaginal speculum" for the whole semester. now, everyday as i go to my duty or lectures i eat alot. and a bagel on my way to school. lol.

[mcknis]

I cant wait until this quarter so I can go observe my first procedure. I wont forget these wonderful tips either.

[Kat_86]

Things seem quite different over in America-I'm a student nurse in the UK
Dress code:
-we wouldn't be allowed to wear anything other than scrubs in theatre (OR), and it gets quite warm in theatre, espeially in summer
-name tags don't seem to be worn in theatre (my only proper experience so far is in eye theatre, where it was always staff that knew one another as it was always staff from the eye dept there)
-shoe covers aren't used-we have to wear theatre clogs
-hats are a must and there are different coloured ones for different people, its how they are identified cos everyone wears blue scrubs, have never seen a 'hood'
-mask are only worn if the surgeon insists-they teach us over here that the usefulness of masks is doubted
Sterility rules
-As a student, I have helped set out the tray type thing, so we reached over it then, unscrubbed, to drop things onto the tray. Sterile things are always green, and clear plastic is sterile if its in somewhere that is likely to be sterile (ie covering buttons on a machine that is going to be used by the doctor during the operation is sterile, attached to the system for holding the bags for each pt's rubbish and everything, or over the bowl-not sterile)
-not yet come across radiation in theatre, but when I attended an x-ray we just stood behind a screen
Misc rules
-Pleanty of places to step out to (if you can get there!) like the scrub room, clean utility or dirty utility
-I stood right behind the assissting dr. when I went to theatre on my last ward to watch a TAH BSO, and I was unscrubbed and I'd hasked the permission of the Sister
-have nerver asked the pt's permission to watch their operation, and have never asked the nurse if I'm allowed to speak to her pt (not in theatre-I mean on the wards-I wouldn't dream of sitting there and having a conversation with a pt under local during the oepration!)
-Same I guess with the pt's chart, but the only time I've looked at them is on the wards doing BPs, just read care plans for all the pts on the ward though
-We fail essays/exams if put a pt's name in and do not say the name's made up due to NMC confidentiality and that
-When I watched the TAH BSO, the anaesthetist stood next to em and chatted away during the operation, whilst he drank his coffee!, and I have never asked permission to ask questions-just use my common sense and don't ask questions in front of pts that could scare them
-I had to sign in and out of theatre when I was there with eyes
I've got a 6 week theatre placement coming up soon
I think it's amazing the differences between healthcare in the USA and over here in the UK

[core0]

Originally Posted by not now

[/list]When I was in my second sememster I was watching a procedure...dear God I can't even remember what it was. Anyway, the doctor had already started and forgot to put on his lead. Since I was the student and just standing there with lead on he would stop, walk around behind me (not close enough to touch), let them X-ray and then walk back around me.

We used to use IV poles with an apron on it and then a sterile mayo cover over it. Just hide behind that on a long case or if someone decides they need C-arm after the case starts.

David Carpenter, PA-C

[lovejana22]

Thank you so much for these. I have printed them off and will be making sure I follow every one of these.