New Operating Room Nurse in Need of Advice!

rnkv · Jul 7, 2014

Congrats! I'm currently a medsurg nurse hoping to get into the OR soon! Were u just able to transfer? Keep us posted!

AReyes87 · Jul 7, 2014

Hi rnkv... Yes to your question. I was able to transfer to the department.

TraumaORnurse · Jul 9, 2014

What to expect....it's totally different than working the floor. It can be very intense, especially if you have a sick patient on the table or a surgery that isn't going well. Learn your surgeons...personalities and preferences. You will work with a lot of different ones and each will have their own preferences. Get a pocket size notebook & make notes for each surgeon & carry it with you. It could be stuff like the type of bed, a certain position for a certain case, or a specific piece of equipment or something completely ridiculous (but a big deal) like don't play country music in Dr so-and-so's room (not even kidding!). Aside from your surgeons, make nice with your Anesthesia staff, be available to help them when you first get into the room until the patient is intubated and again as the patient is waking up until you're in PACU.

You'll run in to nurses and scrubs that have been there forever and think their way is the only way. It may not be, but let them teach you, maybe they have a good reason and it could end up being something that you want to start doing.

PinoyRN12 · Jul 9, 2014

Tho I'm not from the US, I guess OR nursing is still the same. Anyway, just always stick with the principles of sterility and with your institution's policies. OR is one of the most enjoyable special areas in nursing. You'll appreciate teamwork. Good luck!

jeckrn, BSN, RN · Jul 9, 2014

TraumaOR is right the OR is a lot different then the floor and you would be surprised what can make or break a case. Have a thick skin at times because when cases are not going well some surgeons will vent and direct it at the 1st person they see. Your number one priority when the patient comes in is to position them safely on the bed and assist anesthesia until they are intubated. There will be some techs who think that they are the number one during this time; you will just have to let them know that they have to wait. As I tell every student, new grad etc. take something from every nurse you work with and incorporate it into your practice. Be proactive during a case and try to anticipate what is needed next. Ask the surgeons why they are doing something if you do not know, most of them love to teach. This will help you as you gain experience to be able to anticipate how the case is going. There will be times that you feel like you are a high paid goffer 90% of the time, which at times we are. But remember we are there for the other 10%. You will lose a lot of your skills that you had on the floor but gain a whole new set of skills.

AReyes87 · Jul 15, 2014

TraumaORNurse thanks so much for the tips. I will definitely keep that in mind and LOL at Don't play any country music. Sounds funny but I'm sure it's absolutely true!

AReyes87 · Jul 15, 2014

JeckRN thanks for the advice! I am very excited to start. I will take all of your good advice and put it to use. I have heard a lot of nurses saying I will loose my skills. I was thinking of picking up a shift once or twice a month to keep up with that on the floor as I don't wish to do that.

ceman · Jul 15, 2014

hi

first of all congratulation for being promoted

OR is a very nice area where u can focus on one patient unlike the other units .

time management is critical in OR my advice 4 u as beginner is to observe every thing in the area while u r still training , every detail in the unit is important .

always stick with policy & procedure , sterility etc..

Good Luck ^_^ .

bombae09 · Jul 16, 2014

Ive been in the or for a year right out of college as a circulator and in my opinion ive learned soooo much and im still learning daily. Know your hospital and department policy. Ive had to stand my ground against a surgeon for trying to make me roll a case because he forgot to sign the consent. the most intimidating and grueling experience ive had so far. But in the end my manager stood by me because i stood by the policy. Secondly, absorb it all you wont learn everything at once but before you know it your mind will be on auto pilot from counting, hooking up bovie, light source, camera, harmonic, suction, grabbing your clip board with consent in hand ready to do a timeout. I love the OR because you focus on one patient at a time. Some days youll need your running shoes and coffee if your doc is having a marathon day. Some days itll be easy sailing.

I listened and learned from my SA's and ST's. I never came in with the attitude of im the "nurse" these people are your allies and they will have your back especially with the docs or prepping, putting in the foley while you count.

Be observant theres a method to the madness

be on your toes and receptive to criticism

HAVE TOUGH SKIN its the way to survive dont take it personal. Your doc might act out one day but he also might have been on call all weekend and and has a full day of cases scheduled.

my nurses have been mothers to me theyve shared such invaluable information with me that ill be taking with me to next job. (Moving to nyc)

i feel like ive learned more about anatomy than i did in school lol.

All i can say is be ready to rock n roll and dont quit. In the OR its almost like survival of the fittest, but i guarantee youll earn the respect of your peers if your always eager to learn and if you stay in the game. Even when you mess up, jump right back on the horse.

and never turn your back to, walk in between, or reach over anything blue! This will save you

CCua · Jul 16, 2014

I love your advice bombae09!

I will be starting my OR orientation 2 weeks from now and I would love to know what books, if you used any, that helped you with the OR?