I was invited by an ortho surgeon to spend a day in the OR observing four procedures. Shoulder reconstruction, hip replacement, and two orthoscopic procedures. As a nursing student this will be my first time in the OR. I would love to hear thoughts and concerns for what might be the proper etiquette in the OR. I figured ahead of time to read up on the procedures and as always be polite and respectfull of all. But any other ideas or thoughts?
It would be a nice touch to have something small, such as gift candy, you could give the or nurses as a thank you for their time when you have finished for the day. As an or nurse you never, ever get candy. As an afterthought, if you have a shit day, you'll have the candy ready for yourself as a comfort food!
As a student. I asked to circulating nurse where she wanted me to stand. I touched NOTHING unless told to. If invited to come closer to the table I ASKED exactly were and did not lean over the field (Heck I'd probably fall into it) In some cases I had a foot stool to stand on. Even when I was standing back from the table. This helped visualization. But ask for the foot stool BEFORE the patient was in the room.
Never turn your back towards anything setrile. Follow instructions and you'll be fine.
As for food. I am amaized. It seemed like the OR always was a place where there was great food. Don't know maybe I hit it on party days or something but it seemed like they always had more and better food (brought in by a docs,grateful patients, a sales rep or someone) than any other department
Many surgeons I know prefer students stand on a footstool behind them and can watch over their shoulders....that way they're in nobody's way and can't get into the sterile field areas...you'll just have to see what he/she prefers:)
Just ask the nurses at the get go what and what not to do and you'll be fine...you're in their turf and they won't be shy about directing you. I learned as a new observing student to stand with my hands folded to avoid the urge to touch something...LOL!
(One of my classmates contaminated the field and she never heard the end of it...so the rest of us learned fast)
'Course when I started scrubbing that didn't work anymore...had to develop the 'sterile conscience' while moving about and working in the suite.
Also found out fairly fast that OR was NOT my cup of tea. To each his own. :)
Have fun and don't be too surprised if you hear some ...er...unusual conversations in the OR. Some surgeons tend to be quite vocal and loud...while others will be quiet and serious....some may even quiz the student on A and P.
alet3ff
35 Posts
Sorry ageless, I was trying to be funny with your information.
snip...
Make sure you don your PPEs correctly (too many worry about personal appearance instead)