How to recognize all the equipment as a new OR nurse

[akasu]

I am a new OR nurse. During the orientation, I was overwhelmed by all the equipment, documentation and policies. Could any one tell me how to recognize all the equipment in OR?

Such as a book or any source that pictures with name will be great for my learning.

Thanks!

[ebear, BSN, RN]

When I first started in the OR, I would dream about instruments every night! You will remember this stuff the more you work with it. It takes quite a while. Hang in there,akasu. Concentrate on one service at a time. One day the light bulb WILL come on. I promise!

[Davey Do]

I haven't worked in Surgery for years but I do know that there are some great text books out there with lots of pics, diagrams, and procedure outlines. The one I purchased, which was excellent, was Surgical Technology by Joanna Kotcher Fuller.

I just checked online- it's still in print.

Surgical instruments are divided into groups or classifications like just about everything else. Utilizing deductive reasoning, learn from the general classifications to the specific instruments. Handle the instruments as much as possible. Associate with them. For example, a misquito is like a small kelley, and a pean is like a big kelley. (If my memory serves me correctly.)

Repetition and association- that's how we assimulate new material.

Remind yourself: Just about everything is difficult before it's easy. Good luck in your endeavor, akasu.

Dave

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

I used to watch videos of new MD's doing a procedure in order to learn their preferences, equipment, what to expect, etc. If the hospital does not have any, perhaps the MD's offices will.

[TakeTwoAspirin, MSN, RN, APRN]

The standard text for OR nurses is pretty much Alexander's "Care of the Patient in Surgery" which will tell you everything (and more) you might ever want to know about the equipment, positioning, surgical procedurs, etc.

[tiroka03, LPN]

I am not in your field, but if I were you, I would use my cell phone and take pictures of each individual piece. Then As I took each pictures, I would document it, and then look it up on the computer. I am not sure if you could find manufacturer information, but it's worth the try. Try for the most used pieces first, than branch out. In any new job, there is a lot of homework required. Just figure that in, college is never done.