exposure to the Operating Room

Specialties Operating Room

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My coworker and I were talking about student nursing life one time at work, and she mentioned to me that in America nursing students are not rotated to the Operating Room and that she graduated cum laude without actually stepping in one. She said they were just allowed to watch through the glass. When I was floated to the OR to be oriented, the circulating nurse told me that most RNs working with me has never stepped foot in an OR. Is this really the case or is it just me and the region I work at?

Specializes in Pediatrics and Med Surf Float.

second semester spent 1 day there-saw 2 laparoscopic arthroscopic surgeries. those who want to be OR nurses in my class loved it. i saw it as another day another view of nursing. my school is in NYC and all students spend at least 1 day there. OB there is a possibility for c/s as well

we also had a lecture on perioperative nursing-pre, intra and post op nursing during second semester. not very detailed-just an overview

Specializes in CRNA, Finally retired.

Laparoscopic - looking in the belly Arthroscopic - looking into the joint. No such thing as a laparoscopic, arthroscopic surgery. OR rotation is a waste of time for students except to observe roles and know what happens to the patient once they leave the holding area. It's not on your boards (and I'll only get flamed if I tell you why) so instructors are not going to devote time to activities that don't involve patient care.

As an LPN student I spent a day in OR doing observation. I was placed with an awesome surgeon who called me up (Me, a Little Peon Nurse in training!) to look over his shoulder while he operated. He gave me a running commentary on why he did everything he was doing. I felt very involved, it was one of my most memorable experiences during my clinical phase. When the RN who was supervising me was giving the me lowdown before the surgery actually started, her instructions went something like this: "And this is the warmer where we keep the warm blankets, you may be asked to fetch one. Remember not to touch ANYTHING. If you feel you're about to pass out, please lean against the wall and try to slide down gently. We won't have time to deal with you if you DFO and hurt yourself, and we don't need you in the way." And I was like ok, cool. Wait, What?!?!?! The fact that I was in an environment where I could be shocked to the point of passing out told me that I was right where I needed to be. :)

Specializes in Pediatrics and Med Surf Float.
Laparoscopic - looking in the belly Arthroscopic - looking into the joint. No such thing as a laparoscopic, arthroscopic surgery.

i used both cuz i never remember which is which.

Specializes in Cardiology, Cardiothoracic Surgical.

I just did an observation day in the OR for my med/surg rotation- it was pretty awesome, as the circulating nurse

explained everything that was going on, showed me pathology, even took me to the PACU while she did report

to that nurse.

Definitely keeping OR on my list of possibilities when I graduate.

We usually have 1 observation day per rotation in OR for our med/surg classes in my program.

No. To me OR rotation is NOT a waste of time for students. OR nurses do provide pt care too. If there is no pt care needed, then why they required a nurse to be in OR in the first place. Just for fun? Man, I sure hope so because that where I am going.

I love every mintues that I had spent in the OR. The surgeon was so nice, told me every bits of what and why he was doing, and actually stepped aside so I can have a good view (his point of view) in the surgery. Everyone in the OR was so nice to me. I couldn't believe it.

ScrubRNwannabe

Nobody is trying to say OR nurses are insignificant. However, Nursing school is purely to set futures RN's up to have the basic set of skills needed and enough knowledge to pass boards.Spending tons of time on OR nursing would not benefit the majority of new grads. OR nurses do not do a lot of the typical pt care, a lot of it is setting things up for the surgeon and trouble shooting (that does not mean its not important, it is just a different skill set than what is needed in medsurg, which is what is mostly tested on boards).

Cool. Got it. Thanks for the explanation. :)

Specializes in CRNA, Finally retired.

ScrubRBwabbabe: If you really want to scrub, be a scrub tech. RN's not allowed to scrub in any OR setting I work (3 at the present). Some tech programs are 2 years in community college. Who do you think is better suited to work in OR. Person who has 2 years dedicated to OR training or ADN who has no experience in OR? This is a question for the near future when it all gets socialized.

ScrubRBwabbabe: If you really want to scrub, be a scrub tech. RN's not allowed to scrub in any OR setting I work (3 at the present). Some tech programs are 2 years in community college. Who do you think is better suited to work in OR. Person who has 2 years dedicated to OR training or ADN who has no experience in OR? This is a question for the near future when it all gets socialized.

I know that. I used ScrubRNwannabe as my user name before I learned who is who in OR.

Are you scrub tech?

thanks for your replies! In my country rotation in OR and DR areas are the norm in a nursing student's life.

What is DR?

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