Operating Room

[MichiganChris]

Hello All,

I'm new to this forum and just recently started looking into nursing as a profession. I would really like to work in the OR and I'm hoping you guys can help clear up a few things for me. I hear Operating Room nurses referred to as: Surgical Assistants, Surgical First Assistant, Operating Room Nurse, Scrub Nurse, Circulator Nurse, Surgical Techs, etc...

First of all how many types of OR Nurses are there and what do they all do? I thought I had this narrowed down when I started looking into nursing then into OR nursing. Geez.

Thanks for any help in advance.

[FaLaLa134]

new to OR nursing--

so do the regular RN's actually do any of the hands on work in the surgery? i realize a lot of this varies hospital by hospital, by majority of the time, what is the case?

[linda2097]

new to OR nursing--

so do the regular RN's actually do any of the hands on work in the surgery? i realize a lot of this varies hospital by hospital, by majority of the time, what is the case?

See thread....

https://allnurses.com/forums/f39/what-scrubbing-what-circulating-159789.html

[Fun2, BSN, RN]

new to OR nursing--

so do the regular RN's actually do any of the hands on work in the surgery? i realize a lot of this varies hospital by hospital, by majority of the time, what is the case?

I am still in my internship, but I do scrub a bunch! (I hand instruments to the surgeons, hold retractors, irrigate, suction, and sometimes, have to cut the sutures.)

As a circulator, other than interviewing the patient, I have to prep the incision sites, insert foleys, document, and make sure the scrub and surgeons have what they need.

[FaLaLa134]

where are you doing your internship?? how is it going? part of me wants to do an internship this summer (i graduate in may), but the other part of me is scared it's going to be so intense! how much do they expect you to know???

[Fun2, BSN, RN]

I work for the UT system, and they have a 9 month program where I am.

As far as becoming an intern, they do not expect you to know anything about the OR. Schools just don't teach it....the schools want you to take extra classes for the OR...lol

I can say, after my internship is over, I doubt I will scrub as much. However, at least I know that I will be able to do both, and can take call for either...if needed.

[FaLaLa134]

so you won't scrub as much because you don't like it? and how does that work, as far as do you have the option to not scrub?

also, does the internship include PACU and pre-op orientation? lol, i know i have a lot fo questions. thanks for your help!

[Fun2, BSN, RN]

Scrub Techs are mostly used. RNs mostly circulate.

If you're scheduled to scrub, then you pretty much have to do what they need you to do. (As with any job....) :)

We get one day in PACU, and one day in Day Surgery.