I'm a new grad / OR nurse!

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Hey, I just graduated from nursing school, and was lucky enough to get a position as an OR Nurse - I am going through a very thorough training regimen which I am told will be around 9 months. I start Periop 101 next week. I am so excited. I have only been at the hospital for 3 weeks. So far, I've spent the time doing a bunch of required training modules, going over new orientee paperwork, observing a few operations, spending a day in PACU, another day in pre-op, and spending 2 weeks in sterile processing in order to learn a whole slew of instruments: which instruments go for which operation - how they are sterilized and where they are stored. I have gained a new-found respect for skin hooks! I also take almost as much pride in having finally broken in my Dansko's as I did when I passed the NCLEX last week. I know I must be in the "honeymoon" phase because I look forward to every day - learning something new. I love the names of the instruments, I love handling them, my colleagues are great, and right now, not too much is expected of me. I know all this will change at some point. I am sure there will be days (and nights) when I am very tired. But I am so glad nursing school is over! I am so glad I am where I really want to be - I was very lucky to get this position. I am sure I will be posting here more over time. I am also very interested in other OR nurse's experiences and stories. Take care,

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

Welcome to our little corner of the world! Be sure to check out the Articles and FAQs tabs on the OR forum page for lots of valuable info!

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Thank you Rose_Queen! I have read some of the articles and posts, not all of them. I enjoy reading your posts. I hope I become a good OR nurse.

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Training can be an exhausting process but having such a great attitude will make a huge difference! I love that you spend time in sterile processing. It will help you appreciate all the hard work they do that is often taken for granted. (I worked that job for 6 years so I know what's it's like to be under appreciated[emoji16])

Don't be afraid to ask questions! And if you contaminate something, SPEAK UP!! It happens to everyone and your coworkers will have more respect for you for admitting it than trying to cover it up. When in doubt, throw it out. Welcome to the OR!

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Very exciting! It's nice to hear a fellow new grad excited about their work. Would love to hear more about the process of Peri-Op 101 and what is involved in that nine month time frame. Keep us posted!

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Thanks SpringChick1 and OceanBlue52. I will keep you updated. xx

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I'm jealous! I'm graduating in December and REALLY hope to find a job in OR.

I keep reading about how OR's have trouble finding new people since students aren't given much exposure during school, so I'm hoping that works in my favor.

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I'm jealous! I'm graduating in December and REALLY hope to find a job in OR.

I keep reading about how OR's have trouble finding new people since students aren't given much exposure during school, so I'm hoping that works in my favor.

PaulBaxter - I agree with you about the OR needing more students/trainees. Our OR is very busy, and I have met several fellow students who would have loved to get an OR position. I think if the OR would offer more opportunities for students to observe / volunteer, or something similar, then more students would apply. In my very short & limited experience so far, I have seen the OR to be very dynamic, exciting, and offering lots of chances to use nursing judgement and think on your feet. I think some people must be under the impression that the OR is boring, but it certainly is not. It definitely is different to floor nursing. Yes, I know I will lose some skills, but I will still be able to insert foleys, and in pre-op (I spent a day there in order to get an idea of the flow of surgery), I did take vital signs and speak with the patient and family. Plus there are many new skills to learn.

Will you have an opportunity to shadow an OR nurse? Maybe that would give you a chance to get your face and name noticed, when it comes time to apply for a position.

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I could have written this post! Exactly the same position! I love it!! Except I have not bought new shoes for the OR yet...what did you end up buying? XP's?

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Golden rule for an OR nurse is patient safety and surgical conscience is one of them. Ask your colleagues about surgical conscience and that would be your foundation as an OR nurse

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@yellow scrubs. Thank you so much for this post! I love your enthusiasm~~ I'll be starting in the OR as a new grad this spring as well.

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Any update on how the program is going for y'all?

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