Traits that make a good OR nurse...

Specialties Operating Room

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Specializes in med-surg, OR.

Hi, what kind of traits are important in a OR nurse? I have been reading posts, trying to get some feedback to decided is the OR is something I want to pursue in the future. I realize a lot of other specialty areas on Allnurses.com have a similar thread, but I haven't found that much for the OR. From what I gathered, a good OR nurse would be: organized, able to prioritize, have the ability to stay calm under pressure, have emotional intelligence, and a sense of humor....is there anything else I am missing?

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This question has already been asked. Just look for it in the past threads. :)

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Specializes in Med/Surg, ICU, educator.

those are desirable traits for other areas as well.......

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Specializes in Operating Room.

1) the ability to speak up when something doesn't seem right

2) able to multi-task

3)critical thinking

4) being interested in what's going on..

5)willingness to learn new skills.

6) being comfortable with technology..you'll see a lot of it in the OR

7) being able to scrub is a big plus and it makes you very marketable.

8) This is a biggie..being confident without being arrogant..just when you think you know it all, the OR gods conspire to trip you up.:D

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Specializes in OR scrub/circulator, hospice crisis care.

9) Not being easily offended by off-color jokes- people seem to speak a little more freely in the small rooms and close-knit community away from family members, the public and other patients. I know it's crass to mention, but it's true. How many times I've heard an MD/resident/etc say that he doesn't need a stool, he can lean on his third leg....and stuff like that. Anesthetized patients tell no tales. :icon_roll

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Specializes in med-surg, OR.

Thanks for the responses...I am looking at doing an OR shadow experience in my own nursing area: Neurosurgery. I hope this helps me decide if I am future OR material or not...

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9) Not being easily offended by off-color jokes- people seem to speak a little more freely in the small rooms and close-knit community away from family members, the public and other patients. I know it's crass to mention, but it's true. How many times I've heard an MD/resident/etc say that he doesn't need a stool, he can lean on his third leg....and stuff like that. Anesthetized patients tell no tales. :icon_roll

That's hysterical!!!!:chuckle

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Specializes in Operating Room, Ortho, Neuro, Trauma.

I am in a residency program and just finished my 4th week as an OR nurse. We have didactic classroom as well as clinical tme with a preceptor. We are starting to make the transition from classroom to more clinical time which has exposed me to so much in the OR's. I have seen all kinds of "TRAIT'S" that I would like to adopt or incorporate into my routine and I have seen some that I definately do not want to adopt. What SquirrelRN71 & midlife_nurse said are true, another one is thick skin. Sometimes it gets intense in there and guess what, the surgeons can be a little snippy and they snip at you! It is a good thing we wear masks because he did not see me stick my tongue out at him! LOL! :msk:

The trait in #8 is so true...I can see how arrogance could really be negative. Also, you have to be very quick and be able to anticipate what your OR Team might need. One thing I have seen....there is no room for laziness in the OR!

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Specializes in OR, ER, Med-Surg, ICU, CCU, Home Health.

I wrote an article titled "What Do Operating Room Nurses Do?". Check it out. It doesn't specifically target traits, but you may be able to determine what they would be. Good luck to you in your search and in the OR. I love it and hope you will, too. :redpinkhe

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