I wanna get my read on!

[ChristineAdrianaRN, BSN, RN]

Three more shifts on the floor! Can't wait until it's over. Then a lovely 10 day vacay and off to orientation for the new job.

I want to prepare as much as possible, so what better way to start than to read up during that time off?

Gonna get my paws on Alexander's Care of the Patient in Surgery, obvs. Any other suggestions? Anything specific to pediatric surgery? I feel like a good general surgery book (Alexander's) and something preparing me for pediatrics would be a good place to start.

Thanks!

EDIT: Now that I think about it, I remember on the aorn website it mentioning that Alexander's book is part of the Periop course. If I choose to go through that course, will my job pay for that book? The OR educator mentioned that it costs them $1200 to put someone through that course, so I'm assuming that includes the cost of books? Maybe I should hold off.

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

My hospital used to do the AORN Periop course, and they gave us books (Alexander's and the AORN standards) for the course, which we had to turn back in after we passed the final. Honestly, until I started orientation, I just read some of the AORN journal articles instead of spending my own money to get something the hospital was going to give me (and which I can still get a copy of at the hospital library).

[solneeshka, BSN, RN]

I know you're excited, but you really don't need to be reading anything ahead of time. They will teach you everything they want you to know, and what they don't teach you, you will learn by doing. Alexander's (and other perio-op texts) teach *a* way of doing things, but everybody tweaks the standard for their own purposes. Just enjoy your vacation and get ready to dive in when you get back!