Help, my first day in the OR

inspir8tion · Jul 17, 2007

I know what you mean. I felt overwhelmed practically throughout my entire program (9 months). I would always tell myself "you can only do what you can do". And I tried my best to be kind to myself. I always went home exhausted (mentally and physically). All I can say is hang in there. It gets better with time.

passionate · Jul 17, 2007

Congratulations. Be excited that you are in a perioperative rotation. This is not as common as one might think. You are fortunate to have this opportunity to see if OR nursing is for you! Enjoy!

pamc217 · Jul 17, 2007

thanks for your kind words! Today was a bit better :) One day at a time!

brewerpaul · Jul 17, 2007

Hang in there-- it starts to make sense eventually. Don't be afraid to ask questions.

IsseyM · Jul 18, 2007

I can relate to what you're feeling right now. I was a new grad who went straight to the OR. There were many days my classmates and I complained to each other about how hard it was, if we could really do it, what in the world were we thinking, etc. I thought about quitting many times because it was so overwhelming. You just gotta hang in there, take it one day at a time, do the best you can, take lots of notes, believe you can do it, don't bring your bad work days home with you, don't take anything personal, make time for yourself/de-stress and be patient because it does take a while to get it. You will learn thru repitition and you'll get lots of it during your orientation. My training was 7 and half months and i've been off orientation for 4 months. I still get kinda scared wondering what cases they're going to give me but it does get better. Even though everyone here was telling me it does i didn't think it would. Also get plenty of rest so you can be awake, alert and focused. There have been days i was a zombie and it was no fun at all. Good luck!

IsseyM

Chaoticdreams33, MSN, RN · Jul 27, 2007

Do you think it's more stressful than med-surg floor or about the same. i'm on my 5th week on a surgical floor and I can't imagine being MORE stressed! I am shadowing in the OR next week, and then possibly interviewing for a position if I am still interested, which I am pretty sure I will be. I have always been interested in the OR, always.

pamc217 · Jul 27, 2007

well i havent worked on a med surg floor other than in school, but i think its much more stressful. OR is very technical, very little pt care as far as the way you do it. i have been scrubbing for a few days as the main scrub and this is only my 2nd week. its very physical tho, my back hurts when i come home from standing all day. I scrubbed 5 surgeries today in 8 hours. I think you will like it better than med surg, i couldnt stand doing that myself.

good luck

pam

Chaoticdreams33, MSN, RN · Jul 28, 2007

Thanks Pam. OR and Med-surg must have very different types of stress. I think I would prefer the more methodical (don't know if that's the right word) stress of the OR to the absolutely chaotic stress of the floor though! I am very excited for next Thursday:)

pamc217 · Jul 28, 2007

great i think you will like it, so far the hardest part has been trying to remain sterile, its just not a natural position to hold yourself in, especially in small or rooms. let me know how it goes.

pam

brewerpaul · Jul 29, 2007

I'll take OR stress over med/surg any day. In the OR, you only have ONE patient at a time to take care of. Granted, during that time a lot of things are coming at you, but I like that a whole lot better than trying to keep track of meds for multiple patients, recording freakin' I&O's, etc.

ewattsjt · Jul 29, 2007

sounds like you are doing just fine and you are orienting into the difference of being in the or well. keep your chin up and keep doing a good job!!!