Surviving my OR rotation

Nursing Students General Students

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Specializes in L&D/birthing center.

Does anyone have any advice for making it through my OR and AMSU rotations this semester? I don't know why but I'm terrified. My first semester I went with my patient to the OR to observe his inguinal hernia repair. When they intubated him I almost passed out. I cupped my hands over my mouth and ran out of the surgical suite to the bathroom. If I can't even stand watching someone lose their LOC how am I going to make it through 28 hours of surgery observation (some of that time will be in the PCAU)? I've seen cesarean sections before and assisted in perineal tear repair where I used to work...I don't get it. Any advice from others who've BTDT?

~Ashley

Specializes in LDRP.

divert your eyes in a calm way. if something that might freak you out is coming up, just dont look. i did that a few times during my OR rotation. just look at the wall, the ceiling, the pt's feet, etc.

I rotated to the OR today. Was a wonderful experience and I think I might be interested in OR nursing in the future - but they did a procedure on a little baby boy - 8 mos old. After they'd induced him and he was just lying there on the table - not breathing at all.. that was a terrifying experience for me since I didn't really know what was going on 100%. They also had a hard time bringing him back out, so that was a little creepy as well. Maybe I'm just a little extra soft-hearted when it comes to kids since I've been a mom...

I understand now what they say about anesthesia being hours of boredom and minutes of sheer terror! :chuckle

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