Hired as an OR nurse! a few questions for you...

Editorial Team / Admin · May 3, 2013

Hey y'all! I graduate tomorrow, pinning is on Tuesday, and I start work as a PCT week after next at an ambulatory surgery center for a few weeks til I take my boards and can begin work as a SURGICAL NURSE! It is what I've wanted since I started considering a career in healthcare, and I feel so blessed to have this opportunity as a new grad. Just wanted to put this out there for anybody discouraged in the job search- try to stay positive, dreams DO come true.
Ok so questions...
-Any tips on learning basic surgical tools, instruments, equipment, and lingo? I was exposed to nearly all types of medical environments in nursing school, but exposure to and education on the OR was minimal. I'm hoping to go in at least knowing a little something...My employer recommended Pocket Guide to the OR by Maxine Golman which I plan to buy, but I didn't know if there were some good shortcuts or iPhone apps that might help me lock stuff in to memory.

If at all possible, grab a count sheet and practice, practice, practice. Looking at pictures in the book is a lot different from looking at the real thing.

-I'm interested in joining AORN. Is it worth it? Do you feel like you professionally and otherwise benefit from being a member?

I find it worthwhile for the journal, the reduced cost for CEs, reduced costs to attend Congress, and the reduced cost for the CNOR exam. Others may not think it worthwhile.

-What do y'all do with your wedding rings? I know I could pin them to my scrubs but I'm terrified I will forget one day and put my scrubs in the facility laundry bin never to be seen again. Maybe pin it to my bra?

I leave all my jewelry at home. Can't throw it in laundry that way, and we aren't permitted to wear anything but a single pair of stud earrings that must be covered by the hat.

-Also, any good recommendations for places to get cute scrub caps? Etsy has some cute stuff but they sure seem expensive ($20ish)! And I have a lot of hair- is it something I should try on in a store before I buy or is it generally one-size-fits-all?

First, make sure you are permitted to wear reusable hats. AORN does not recommend this practice, and many facilities (including mine) forbid wearing them, even if covered by a disposable hat. Before they were forbidden, I got many of mine off eBay. There are some sellers who make them with their fabric or you can send them fabric. Most are one-size-fits-some, but some do offer a larger size for longer hair. You can also try Green Scrubs, which is another company I bought a few from but found a bit pricey.

-And then with shoes...I know scrub nurses stand in one place for an extended period of time, and circulating have more opportunity to ambulate and sit during cases...any recommendations for good standing-a-long-time shoes? I have Danskos, and if they work, great, less money to spend! But I want to make sure I'll have good back and leg and arch support...

I can't stand Danskos. I wear a simple pair of sneakers, dedicated to the OR. Comfort is the most important thing to think about. Also, I recommend replacing them every 6-12 months.

-And do y'all wear support hoes? What are the best kind? I've heard of some people buy TEDS for a long day of work- I'm thinking of doing that...?

Own some, but don't routinely wear them. Cheap pairs picked up on one nursing scrubs website or another.

-And of course any wisdom you might have picked up along the way :-)

-Realize that OR nursing is a different animal from anything you learned in nursing school. Many say it takes at least a year to feel comfortable working in the OR.

-Make yourself a little cheat book with important phone numbers, preferences of surgeons you work with the most, and other little tidbits that are important to remember.

Sorry for all the questions...I'm so excited to join the ranks of OR Nurses!! Thank you thank you!

trauma_lama, BSN · May 5, 2013

Thank you so much for your detailed response! We babies depend on you vets to show us the ropes. Thank you thank you.

elle604 · May 5, 2013

I just started in the OR after 1 year in orthopedic Med surg. Yes count sheet will help remember the names and what they look like. My job pays for aorn so I get to do the modules so you should check with your work before paying it in advance. I asked my educator for books she even gave me flashcards of instruments to study super helpful. And there is a thread on sutures!!!!! **** that thread help me so much, you will learn the different kinds and why they use them because when they say 3-0 of Vicryl you know how to fetch it. It means nothing until you hear it and see it. I'm still learning a lot especially the supplies and equipment because of so many different type of surgeries. Ask before you purchase anything to see what kind of resources you can get that they already have. I love or nursing and will never leave!

born2circulateRN · May 5, 2013

Congrats on graduating and landing a job in surgery! Must be exciting. I just interviewed for a job in the OR last week -so, I hope to receive some good news this upcoming week.

Again, congrats - I wish you the best and Good Luck!

trauma_lama, BSN · May 5, 2013

Thanks so much for the advice! Yeah, always best to save money where we can, right? and itfeelsgr82savealife, I am sending you lots of good vibes that you will get your OR job!!!

kd7hfw · May 7, 2013

I just went down to SP and asked to borrow one of their books. After a couple of weeks of studying I paired up with a scrub and he quizzed me for the next few weeks. It worked great.

I personally love Dansko shoes .. after the month long break-in period. Unfortunately trial-and-error will be the only way to find out what works for you.

Good luck and congrat's on the new job

michele742 · May 11, 2013

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! I just got 'pinned' on April 29th and I also have been offered an RN position in the OR :) They are waiting for me to pass my boards but as the OR hiring manager said, "You're in! Now we are just waiting for you to take the boards." I worked tirelessly behind the scenes for months trying to secure an OR position, and all my networking and interviewing and tracking down the hiring managers paid off. It's very exciting...I know the feeling and I know you must just be thrilled :) I feel like I need to go purchase an "OR for dummies" book or something now...lol. Don't laugh, I might do it...haha. Many 'high fives' to you, sister :)

4100RN · May 13, 2013

Great advice given here...another suggestion for learning instruments, spend some time down in SPD assembling instrument trays...you not only learn what each instrument is, but you learn what instruments are on each tray. I was a Surgical Tech before I became an RN, so I know the instruments well, but I highly suggest putting you hands on the instruments. If there is down time also volunteer to help pull supplies for cases, so you can learn where everything is kept. Every OR I work in I try my best to learn where EVERYTHING is kept, even if it is someone else's job to get it for me, if they are not there, I am effecient at knowing where everything is.

My hosptial lets us wear one ring, but when I scrubbed I either pinned mine to my ID badge (have to have it to clock out), or pinned it to my bra.

I can't stand Danskos either, they killed my feet. At one time I had some birkenstock clogs (took a long time to wear in, but were quite comfortable when I finally did), have also worn crocs in the past, but currently I have a pair of running shoes that were recommended after a custom foot fitting and they are great.

Good luck. OR personalities can be very strong sometimes, but they are normally a very tight group that act a lot like family!

Woopsadaisy · May 15, 2013

I have found that as long as I don't wear the same pair of shoes every day, that my feet don't get so fatigued. I alternate a pair of danskos with a pair of trail runners, and sometimes a pair of cheap knock off tennis shoes.

I wear Ted hose in the winter, they help a lot. I just nabbed a brand new pair from the supply closet garbage.... they were opened but were the wrng size, so were being thrown out! Shhhhh! But hey! I think my employer wants me to take care of myself, right?

trauma_lama, BSN · May 17, 2013

Thanks for all the replies guys! So far training as a pct (ie observing) until I take boards in June- wheeeeee! I