Just got into the OR Academy...what next

[hhurley]

Hello everyone, I've been a member here for awhile but been very busy getting my RN. I have been an LPN for 3 years and finally two weeks ago got my RN. This week I was offered a position in the OR Academy (training program for RN). From what I've read on these threads I got the pretty standard deal, 6m training including classroom and hands on with a 2 year contract. I am the only "new grad" accepting into the program. I am very nervous about starting and just want to be prepared. Any wise words of advice y'all can give would be great. I know we need a text book and a lab coat, what else do I need? I have all the basics...stethoscope, cuff, pen light...all that but this is going to be totally different than anything I've ever done.

[RobtheORNurse]

In my 20+ years in the OR, I used a stethoscope twice and I borrowed it from anesthesia, A penlight is not needed, Labcoats are vectors for infection, only use hospital laundered scrub jackets. Congrats on your new career, the OR is by far the best career I ever had. Keep your ears open and ask questions at appropriate times and do not take criticism as a personal attack. You will appreciate it later in your career. Good luck.

[ArtieRN]

For the OR? Very comfortable shoes, above all things. Something to take notes on (other than your scrubs), and a willingness to learn. A lab coat isn't required but it definitely helps in those cold cold rooms. I've never seen an OR nurse need a stethoscope, cuff or pen light. Most of that is covered by pre-op or anesthesia. A protein bar wouldn't hurt either.

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

Something to take notes on (other than your scrubs)

But scrubs are the scrap paper you can't lose! Granted, working in cardiac surgery I typically only care for one patient per shift, but my scrub pants usually have the blood bank number, in OR time, surgical start time (can't always be at the computer when the surgeon makes incision), and ICU room the patient is going to by the time I'm transferring the patient to the ICU. Very handy and doesn't disappear like a scrap of paper.

OP, does the facility require a lab coat? Sorry, but those do not belong in an OR unless they are changed out and laundered daily by the facility. If it's for attending class in a classroom away from the OR, ok, but why? Serious risk for transmitting infections to/from patients.

Stethoscope, cuff, pen light are all things I've never used since accepting an OR position. Anesthesia assesses heart/lung sounds, patients are provided with disposable cuffs for their stay, the only reason I can think of for having a pen light is for looking at a paper chart in a room without lights (laparoscopic/robotic surgeries).

One of the things I found most helpful was to carry a small, pocket-sized notebook. I made notes on certain pieces of equipment and certain little details about surgeons that didn't necessarily belong on a preference card. Having worked with the same small group of surgeons for the last several years, I don't really need it anymore but relied on it heavily when I first started.

[hhurley]

Thanks for the info y'all. I'm starting my last week of class before our rotations. We needed to lab coat for when we are outside of the OR unit.