Just need a little info

[nrsman1]

I am a newley licensed LPN, and have one more semester of RN school. Here is my question; I have enjoyed all my clinical rotations in the OR, and I am seriously thinking about a career in the OR, so what exactley does an OR nurse do from clock in to clock out. Like I said I have done clinicals there but i'm sure I am not getting the whole picture. Thanks.

[surgnurse2006]

The perioperative staff nurse is a professional care giver who assures responsibility and accountability for nursing actions for neonates to geriatric patients which include, but are not limited to : identifying patterns of human responses to actual or potential health problems amenable to a nursing regimen; executing a nursing regimen through the selection, performance, management and evaluation of nursing action; assessing health status for the purpose of providing nursing care, providing health counseling and teaching; administering medications, treatments and executing regimens prescribed by licensed physicians, dentists and podiatrists; teaching, administering, supervising, delegating and evaluating nursing practice.

The registered nurse specializing in peri-operative nursing practice performs nursing activities in the preoperative, intra-operative, and post-operative phases of the surgical experience for neonates to geriatric patients. Perioperative nursing practice is flexible and diverse and includes a variety of roles that include, but is not limited to, circulating nurse, scrub nurse, surgical assistant. While the peri-operative nurse works in collaboration with other health professionals, the nurse has the primary responsibility and accountability for nursing care of patients having surgical interventions.

The peri-operative staff nurse recognizes their role and participates as a member of the interdisciplinary team working towards attaining MHMH’s mission, vision, and goal of meeting patients’/significant other(s)’ physical, emotional, and spiritual needs in a dignified manner.

The RNFA at surgery collaborates with the surgeon in performing a safe operation with optimal outcomes for the patient. The RNFA practices under the supervision of the surgeon during the intra-operative phase of the peri-operative experience. The RNFA does not concurrently serve as a scrub nurse.

[lindaloo51]

I think that seeing is believing. Talk with the OR Director and ask to job shadow for a day or two in the OR. We welcome students who are truly interested in OR as a career path. I have spoken with many students and they get the best picture of what the OR is really like by shadowing an experienced nurse on the job.