Er nurses worked in OR before, think that if you like OR, you..

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Specializes in telemetry.

Hello,

Just curious, I have heard some people say that the ER "type" of person is very similar to the "OR' type, and then I have heard that the ER and OR type of people are totally different. If you have worked in both, what do you think? I am the OR and I HATE it! I always wanted to work in the ER then eventually, (after much experience) make my way to trauma. However, if the ER/OR type of person are similar/inter-changeable, then I could be way wrong. Thanks for your replies.

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Specializes in ER.

Uhhh...no. My experience is that they are polar opposites. OR people like controlled settings, have difficulty with challenging patients and prefer to focus laser like on one thing at a time. ER people like going with the chaotic flow, learn to adapt to the challenging patients and work better when multitasking.

One of my best friends from nursing school just left the er to go to OR. She is beyond HAPPY, over the moon really. Relieved. I can't say that I blame her.

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I had to do OR with placement and I seriously couldn't get out of there fast enough. I found it to procedural for my liking. In the ER I have my own system or way of doing things efficiently.

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Specializes in Periop, ER.

I worked OR for awhile and I dont think it there is a set personality type. Having just moved to the ER myself, I would say that there is so much more patient interaction with patients in the ER. To me OR has less personal interaction and is boring compared to the business of the ER.

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Specializes in Operating room..

I have been in the OR for over five years and love it...however I will be interviewing Monday for an ER position....very interested in seeing the difference for myself if I get The job.

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Specializes in ER, OR, Cardiac ICU.

Two completely different mindsets. The OR is very linear and controlled. The ED is very ADD. After having done both, I'm very much the latter.

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Specializes in Operating room..

I couldn't disagree more...there is nothing linear and controlled about doing 15 cases in an 8 hour shift (don't get me started on swing rooms). Doing 100 things at once all while keeping the patient safe (with nothing left in the patient, no wrong site surgeries, etc). Doctors screaming at you, stressed out co-workers biting your head off. You may think you know a doctor but they are completely different in the OR. 20 days of call in a month....no, nothing linear and controlled about the OR (unless you account for the fact that you can never make a mistake EVER...that is the only linear and controlled component I have found)...everything else is just controlled insanity.

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I couldn't disagree more...there is nothing linear and controlled about doing 15 cases in an 8 hour shift (don't get me started on swing rooms). Doing 100 things at once all while keeping the patient safe (with nothing left in the patient no wrong site surgeries, etc). Doctors screaming at you, stressed out co-workers biting your head off. You may think you know a doctor but they are completely different in the OR. 20 days of call in a month....no, nothing linear and controlled about the OR (unless you account for the fact that you can never make a mistake EVER...that is the only linear and controlled component I have found)...everything else is just controlled insanity.[/quote']

I think they meant linear as you have a plan set out for the day, you know before you enter the OR what you're going in their to do, and what your next case is. In the ER it's the complete opposite, you have no way of planning out your care bc you don't know what type of care you will be providing! Yes, in the OR things can wrong and be crazy, but I guarantee it happens far more often in the ER. Good luck

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