Level 1 trauma?

Kingbandit · May 3, 2010

The OR nurse must be able to recognize the possible/real injuries, and have all instruments ready. You will learn assessment skills, as well as circulating skills. The trauma nurse should get their ACLS certification if they want to transport trauma pt's. If you scrub, traumas will teach you how to set up a case quickly. Most trauma centers love OR nurses who can circulate and scrub.

Mr. & Mrs. RN · May 4, 2010

Hm, barely at a level 3, sorry.

LuvScrubs2, BSN, RN · May 4, 2010

WOW Great info to keep in mind.....:)

RogueRN · May 17, 2010

Just to add to what Kingbandit said, you will see the worst of the worst type of injuries. Make sure that you've got some good coping mechanisms because at the end of the day, it can affect you.

I've seen...

***Lots of teenagers come through our doors with multiple gun shot wounds (2 - 27 bullet wounds). They may be gang bangers on the street, but they are somebody's kid. Some make it, some don't...

***Industrial accidents where you hope you can save someone's mangled hand/arm. Once there was a pt that had a granite slab falls on his head. His skull was dented in, both arms were broken, one leg broken. Multiple surgeries (crani, ORIF on both arms) were being done to save the guy, but sadly, he didn't make it.

***A car accident victim who hit a tree. He was just a kid (16 yo). His leg was mangled and we had to do an above the knee amputation.

***A horrific accident where a little girl is run over by a ride-on lawn mower. One of her hands was gone and the first responders could only find her fingers. On the same side her leg was badly injured; we had to do an above the knee amputation.

This is only a taste of what I've seen and something for you to consider.

Good luck!

PetiteOpRN · May 19, 2010

The OR will be open and (during trauma season at least) running 24/7.

If you get off at 5 and you hear a helicopter landing at 4:45, chances are you'll have an opportunity for overtime.

You will probably be afraid to get in your car and drive after seeing massive MVAs (at least I went through that).

You will have a chance to experience some of the most hectic, intense situations in the hospital. If you are an adrenalin junkie, this is your chance to shine.

Argo · May 20, 2010

I think my saddest one was a female that had two kids, was pregnant with twins and had fallen off a ladder puting up christmas decorations. Massive subdural bleed. She died. Twins lived fortunately, I guess. Dad was left in the hallway dumbfounded cause he now had to raise two small kids and two babies alone.

There are tons and tons of stuff like all the stories here that happen daily. Either you can suck it up and come to the reality that crud happens and try not to become one of the stats..... or not and dont submerge yourself in that stuff.....