Hello OR nurses, please

I chose to work in the OR because I love the human anatomy and wanted to see it close up and personal (and boy do I ever!!). Also, I worked for a few years on an ICU step down unit and a hem/oc floor and wanted to do something different. The OR is definitely different-it's more technical than 'caring', but don't get me wrong, an OR nurse has about 10 maybe 15 minutes to build a trusting nurse/patient relationship and that takes alot of 'caring'.

One of the most challenging parts of my job is keeping track of time, instruments, sponges/laps, sutures and people. At my facility, people just walk into your room like they own the place-it drives me nutty...

You might be asked where you see yourself in 5 years (it takes at least 1-2 years of orientation, then another couple years to start to become 'comfortable') most OR managers view perioperative nursing as a career, not just a job and they are looking for that view in prospective hires. You are an investment (time, money and effort) and they want to make sure that you are worth it.

Not to discourage you, but being a new grad, you might want to consider doing a year of floor nursing (just to get acclimated to the hospital environment-not as a student). The OR has A LOT of big personalities and ego's-(:argue: mostly surgeons, but nurses too!) and if your skin isn't thick and you take things personally, the OR is NOT for you. Plus, you might want to hone in on your assessment and IV skills (at my facility, the circulator's assist ALOT w/anesthesia).

I love the OR...I'm working on becoming a certified nurse specialist in the perioperative arena-I love it that much. The first few years in the OR were rough, but once you get passed that, it's like butta' baby!!!

Good luck to you and welcome to the most noblest of professions!!

Be honest about what your interests are. Personalities of your peers and the surgeons and anesthesia staff are the hardest daily thing. It's not like you can walk away. You are in a room for up to 8 hours with the same people. We all usually have either a wicked or somewhat "weird" sense of humor. STick up for yourself, be accountable for your actions and remember you're there for the patient. They can't speak for themselves and YOU are Their advocate. If you have and questions about right and wrong, it's better to get clarification then to explain why you didn't do something later.

Hi Motrin,

I was just wondering where you applied for OR internships in the Bay Area. I'm thinking about moving there and looking for an OR internship as well. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Mark