I got an extern job in the OR!

moonbunnie · May 15, 2005

I dont really have any suggestions, but I wanted to say congratulations :) I got to spend two clinical days in the OR last semester, and I think it is a really cool place to work. Im sure you will have fun and learn lots this summer. good luck :)

collegegurl_2003 · May 15, 2005

Thanks...I had one clinical day there and I loved it. We have had clinicals everywhere and this is the one place that I know I will like. I just cant wait! Im nervous about starting but the good thing is that my friend got a job externing down there to.(they only took 4 people) So she and I are going to celebrate.:balloons::balloons: And since we will be down there during school we decided to study together and try and help one another. Thank goodness for friends in nursing school.

Gompers, BSN, RN · May 15, 2005

I always see OR staff wearing those rubber clogs, almost always a bright or dark color. Some have the ones that are all rubber, others have the ones with removable fabric insoles. I'd wait until you start and see what everyone else is wearing, because some places require white. I think Birkenstock makes a rubber clog, and that would be a good bet for all-day comfort if you're on your feet.

Tweety, BSN, RN · May 15, 2005

Awesome! Congrats and best wishes!

garn2b · May 15, 2005

Congrats! :balloons: That's wonderful. Keep us posted on how things are going for you.:)

All the best.

WSU_Ally_RN, BSN, RN · May 15, 2005

I always see OR staff wearing those rubber clogs, almost always a bright or dark color. Some have the ones that are all rubber, others have the ones with removable fabric insoles. I'd wait until you start and see what everyone else is wearing, because some places require white. I think Birkenstock makes a rubber clog, and that would be a good bet for all-day comfort if you're on your feet.

I think the rubber clogs you're thinking of are from Croc's. They are rubber clogs that have the same type of sole that birks do (toe bar and arch support) Their website I believe is http://www.crocs.com I'm getting a pair for when I graduate! They look so comfy!

Depending on where you are, you might be able to find them in stores somwhere.... we have a store called Kaufmanns here, which is a May Company store. They sell them there, so maybe they'd sell them in stores near you :)

Oh, and to the OP, CONGRATULATIONS!!! :balloons: :balloons:

I got an externship too, but I don't start until June 13, so I'm jealous that you start so soon

MissJoRN, RN · May 18, 2005

Hi!

Congrats on the OR internship! I wish there were more of them...the OR is a whole new world, hopefully you'll love it!

What is your job description? Will you be functioning independantly as support staff or alongside an RN? Most RNs could use a "help circ" anyway so why not? Hopefully you'll get a lot of up close and personal experience, includding scrubbing.

I agree with checking out shoe requirements, since once you know what you need, you do not want to skimp on quality. Several nurses in our OR like Danskos, I've never tried them. I used to wear Dusty Klogs and loved them, very cushy, but found it would hurt my shins to run in them... an I ran often on late OR shifts! Now I just wear New Balance sneakers- the same style as my home pair that I found comfy for my feet. I do recommend something colored, if allowed... at least for me... I'm very sloppy with the betadine preps:chuckle Same thing for jackets if you supply your own.

Other advice? Figure out what routines never change and jump in without being asked, you'll wow them! It takes a while to be comfortable with the time management, and I still need to be reminded by my scrubber to do this or that. Little routines like how to hook up monitors for a laparoscopy- hook up camera, light, gas, as well as bovie, suction, and irrigation... easy once you have the routine down! Really! Pay a lot of attention to the anesth. person- you may be asked to help them- hold masks, place monitors, etc. They always appreciate the help without being asked. You will eventually find that you have one ear on their pulse ox at all time so you know when to be at their sides ready to go! That's the ear that isn't focused on the surgeon or scrubber anticipating needing more sponges, or unexpected intruments, or the ear on the phone anwsering pages and co-ordinating the next patient with holding... eventually you'll have enough ears to engage in the general conversations and have fun:chuckle

Beg, borrow, or steal a copy of Alexanders Care of the Pt in Surgery and skim through it. Sterile technique, concepts of laparoscopy- gases and pressures, general instruments (yes, names vary from hospital or even surgeon to surgeon:uhoh3: )

Hmmm.... There's so much to say.... Have fun and learn the difference between critiquing and critisism!!! Learn from the first and IGNORE the latter. Just like everywhere else in nursing school, but sometimes OR personalities are a bit more intense:rolleyes: Keep asking questions as they come!

Joanna

jtorres · May 18, 2005

I was wondering Missy what your interveiw experience was like? I had a panel interveiw and I was the one asking all of the questions! So anyway, just curious about your experience.