opinions

CAL · Jan 31, 1999

I recently started working in the OR and came from a med-surg floor which was very busy. I am used to moving fast taking care of 5 or 6 demanding patients at one time. In the OR it really is very interesting and I do like learning about new things, but if it is a lenghy surgery I find it hard to be still in the same room for very long. I would suggest cross-training between OR and maybe some other area so you can keep patient contact and maintain your asessment skills, but still get in on the interesting end of OR. I have found that working in OR has given me a better understanding of certain procedures and I am better prepared to answer questions that patients ask me.

angel03 · Aug 30, 2004

I recently started working in the OR and came from a med-surg floor which was very busy. I am used to moving fast taking care of 5 or 6 demanding patients at one time. In the OR it really is very interesting and I do like learning about new things, but if it is a lenghy surgery I find it hard to be still in the same room for very long. I would suggest cross-training between OR and maybe some other area so you can keep patient contact and maintain your asessment skills, but still get in on the interesting end of OR. I have found that working in OR has given me a better understanding of certain procedures and I am better prepared to answer questions that patients ask me.

I started in the OR about 20 years ago...I came from a charge position on a med-surg floor mostly med very stressful our patients would be in Icu in community hospitals......I have a great background and at times long for more patient contact......but I love OR...I have learned so much and the relationship with the doc's well it's just not their on the floor....long cases are not boring to me I did open heart for about 10 years and now I float many services......scrub and circ.....You either love it or you hate it.....I am the patients advocate.....and paying attention is of utmost importance it can be extremely stressful at times but that flows in your blood.......If I had to go back to a floor I would not have a problem...but as long as my legs hold out I will be an OR nurse.....assesment skills are not lost and believe me I have brought attention many details that needed to be dealt with just like on the floor.......it all comes from within......knowledge is never lost it is just used in a little differnt way.........