I'm going into the OR. Any pearls of wisdom for me?

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Specializes in OR.

I've just been hired into an OR nurse residency program at a big medical center. I am beyond excited

I've been on a very busy med-surg floor for the last 1.5yrs since graduating. I know stress and I know pressure so I think I have that part down pat. I'll spend 4 weeks in the classroom and then 18 weeks in the OR with a preceptor.

I start in about two weeks. Any words of wisdom for me? I'm sure I'll be frequenting this forum with lots of questions very soon.

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Best of luck to you. :balloons:

Suggest that you get a little notebook, the type that can fit in your scrub pants pocket to jot down tips that you will learn when you are in the OR. Easier not to lose it that way, and you do not have to worry about leaving it anywhere.

Keep your eyes and ears open all of the time.

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Specializes in NICU, ER, OR.

Dont let the techs intimidate you,....speak up if you think your orientation experience doesnt match where you will mostly be utilized when you are off orientation (you will understand this later on), if they give you a chance to scrub, do it every single time, you will learn tons up there, (and it makes you a better circulator) never ever be embarrassed to say you dont know something, never ever pretend that you do.... The OR is a very different world. There are endless things that even a nurse with 20 years of experience would have no clue of just starting unless she had been exposed to it and taught it....Good luck, it is the best kept secret in nursing, the OR!!!

And a large teaching hosp is a great place to learn. Really.

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Specializes in Only the O.R. and proud of it!.

Learn to read and understand the preference cards. They will be your OR bible.

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