Maybe Switching to OR nursing?

Editorial Team / Admin · Jan 9, 2020

Head on over to the OR forum under the specialties tab- there's a few threads I've started- What we do and how to become one of us or something similar and tips for new OR nurses that have a lot of descriptions of a "normal" day from several OR nurses.

hcurry1 · Jan 10, 2020

Thank you!

ncsteph · May 21, 2020

Hi

Being in the OR is interesting, I just got in the OR 1.5 yrs from being in the med surg floor. You will lose your autonomy however as a circulator you run the room how you want. In the OR you want to keep the pt. Safe And respect all that pt. expects from surgery. At the same time you have to make sure every equipment and instruments are working and is there to keep the surgery smooth and surgeon working. (Pereference cards). As a scrub, you need to know how set up your table, keep sterility, and keep up with the steps of surgery to hand the right tools at the right time. Sounds simple well it can be hectic and anxiety can go from 0 to 100 in seconds depending on how the case goes. You depend a lot on every team player in that room from supplies, reaction, and even breaks. For me OR is not what I thought to be specially because I dont control situations as on the floor call Doc get orders are best for pt., put consults etc. Very little patient interaction, which I do miss. Also many ORs have toxic environments, where I work is not an exception. Being new to the OR depending where u work there will be bullying from co workers and even surgeons that will not allow room for your learning curve at the beginning. I also understand this because there is tremendous responsibility in your hands, literally the pt. has placed their lives in your hands. In other words no room for error. I been able to get by with few co workers that are willing to help they are my angels. I am now debating whether to stay. However I dont know if it's the environment or the job itself. Good luck and I suggest you shadow for a few days not just one to get the picture.