Looking for honest opinions

[Limik]

As some of you now I am an LPN who is an office nurse for an orthapaedic surgeon. I love my job and my doc is great. I routinely assist him in office procedures and minor in office surgical procedures. He has been unhappy with the OR staff at the hospital where he performs surgery, the usual problems, too little staff, inadequate equipment, slow OR staff, etc. He recently mentioned that at one point soon he is planning to have me assist him in the OR. Now don't get me wrong, I am a very experienced nurse and usually love new nursing challenges. I loved my OR rotation in nursing school, however, that is the only OR experience I have ever had. Is it reasonable for me to be able to go in the OR and assist with such little experience? My doctor is very patient and great to work with, that wouldn't be a problem. Have any of you gone into the OR without that specific training and if so how do you feel about it? I think it would be a really amazing experience, but let me know if you think this is crazy. I admit to being excited but slightly terrified at the same time! :behindpc:

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

I went in the OR without specific training, but received my training on the job, with a preceptor in the room.

You should ask him about what he said, and how he plans on training you or getting you trained for the OR, so you can get an idea of what he plans on doing. You don't want to get blindsided there. Not good for you, and definately not good for the pt.

[shodobe]

I would check with your BON to see what would be required of you to assist your surgeon. There may be some conflicts on whether you are an assistant or a scrub tech. We have gone around and around with this subject and there are many variations of surgical assistants out there. Some formal training may be required and certain certifications or licensing may be needed before doing this. As his LPN/MA office staff I am pretty sure you would not be allowed in most ORs to just show up and assist. Also office procedures and minor proceures are not in the same league as some of the surgical procedures he may perform in an OR setting. Alot of training goes into this, so find out what he does away from the office. Good luck and let us know what your up too. Mike

[carcha]

Limik, I know here you would not be allowed in the OR . You work for this doctor and not the hospital therefore the hospital would have to get permission from their insurance people to allow you to come in as a "worker". Two as an LPN who takes responsibility for your actions, counts ect. Does the RN in the OR need to give permission for you to work with the hospital staff?. They dont know you and you have not been employed by their personnel. I feel there's a lot to consider here and would not attempt to go there unless all this is sorted out. I say this as much for your sake as anything as you have a licence to protect.