Attn: Nurses hired into the OR within the last 6 months to a year!

Specialties Operating Room

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I recently accepted an OR position and will start this month. I'm beyond excited! I'm still trying to find my niche in nursing and I have a good feeling about this. My question is for those who have started within the last 6 months to a year, how are you liking it so far? How is orientation going? I know there is a huge learning curve and I'm prepared to take it one day at a time. Any tips you could suggested from your experience so far? I come with ICU experience.

For anybody who has more than a year of experience in OR, feel free to input as well! I'm curious to see the perspective of those still in or just finishing up the 6-9 month orientation.

Hello everyone! I am a new grad and I will be having an interview for the OR internship..what type of questions should I focus on?what do you suggest to review?...I'm excited and nervous ..I really appreciate any input..thank you for your help:)..God bless!!

I got hired into an OR after one interview. To be honest, they didn't ask me many questions! They asked me how I would deal with difficult coworkers, since that is pretty prevalent in the OR. I interned in an OR last summer, so that helped me secure the position.

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Specializes in MedSurg, OR, Cardiac step down.

How long is orientation, hrs, call. And yes be prepared to answer how to deal within a team that can have strong personalities. How do learn, if you don't know always refer to policies and procedures.

Why do want to go into the OR..

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Specializes in Clinic Nursing, Family Planning, OR.

I previously worked in the clinic setting and started in an OR residency program last August. It lasted almost 6 months, so I've been on my own since February.

In my opinion, the OR is a great place to work. I've enjoyed being able to focus on a single patient at a time, and learn an entirely new skill set. The residency program taught us the basics and we had a few weeks in each specialty. It helps to be a technologically savvy person considering all the different equipment and machines. There is definitely a lot of critical thinking involved as with any area of nursing. But it has been, dare I say, "fun" to challenge myself every day to require my scrub or surgeon to ask for less and less. I love working with our highly experienced nurses and CSTs during "silent surgeries". You'll know what I mean here shortly.

Regarding my schedule, I work 8s M-F, which is was the majority of RNs in our facility do. I take about 12 hours of call a week. I don't mind any of that.

Unfortunately, I don't see the OR being "it" for me. I love the environment, but there are so many areas of nursing I would still like to experience.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Float Pool, MICU, CTICU.

Has anybody starting scrubbing yet? Boy oh boy, it's terrifying and exciting all at the same time!!!

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No!!!!!! I am terrified of doing it!!!!!!!

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Specializes in MedSurg, OR, Cardiac step down.

It's all I've learned this far, it's not bad. Just get in there and be willing to learn and be flexible with learning because everyone does things different. Don't be offended when someone teaches you something when you do something wrong.

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I was technically hired to circulate so that's what ive been doing. The idea of scrubbing and having to hold retractors or something still makes me a bit squeamish.

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Specializes in MedSurg, OR, Cardiac step down.
I was technically hired to circulate so that's what ive been doing. The idea of scrubbing and having to hold retractors or something still makes me a bit squeamish.

My first day, they handed me about 5lbs of breast skin/tissue/fat. You get over it real quick ?

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Float Pool, MICU, CTICU.

My hospital requires us to scrub and circulate, which I love because I want to do it all. It's nerve-wrecking at first because you don't want to contaminate the field or pass the wrong instruments. Once you do it a few times, it's not that bad! You can start to feel the flow and anticipate their needs a little quicker.

Either my preceptor or myself will introduce myself to the suregon before the case, so they will be more lenient/understanding if i seem a little slow. Plus, you'll learn your instruments a hell of a lot faster lol.

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Okay generally I have a tough stomach, but the idea of scrubbing makes me so nervous that I am literally terrified of passing out.

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Specializes in MedSurg, OR, Cardiac step down.

Make sure you eat something with substance that will stick-it's a must ☺️

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Yes! I've been grabbing a banana or even a couple slices of bread every morning as I am running for the door. I never used to eat breakfast, but i have every morning now.

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