My First OR Day.... I'm Freaking Out!

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

Hello everybody. I'm in my first Med/Surg rotation and I found out that tomorrow I am supposed to go to the OR to observe and I am scared out of my mind. I read the post on some helpful tips for observation but I still have a lot of questions. I was told by my professor basically "Come in tomorrow with your street clothing because your going to the OR and you can change there" and she told me a chapter to read in the book which gives you a basic overview about OR nursing. I'm worried because I am a pretty big guy and what happens if they don't have scrubs to fit me? This is only my second clinical even though most of my classmates have had at least two more clinicals more then me so I feel like I am not going to know everything that I should know going in. I'm really excited to get to go into the OR I just don't want to screw it up and I will be really embarrassed if they don't have scrubs big enough for me. One of my friends told me that doctors actually cath. themselves if they have a long surgery. Is that true? I'm sorry I sound frantic but I'm just not sure what to do and I don't want to look like an idiot or screw this up.

!Chris :specs:

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I don't work in the OR but I remember doing a rotation through in clinicals and they have all different sizes of scrubs that you can wear--you just find the pile with your size in it and slip them on in the locker room.

I never heard of a doc cathing themselves to do a long surgery--that sounds bizarre doesn't it. Anyway have fun I loved OR and just remember don't go into the sterile field unless invited by the surgeon--and then once in you can't back out or you'll have the nurse screaming at you--that from a friend of mine in OR.

You are about to go into a whole different world--enjoy.

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Specializes in OR.
One of my friends told me that doctors actually cath. themselves if they have a long surgery. Is that true?

I think your friend is pulling your leg, Chris. Relax and take a deep breath. You're going to be fine. Scrubs come in all sizes so you'll find something that will fit you. The circulator will show you a safe place to stand and instruct you on what you can and cannot touch. Anything blue and in clear plastc should be considered sterile. Leave a nice wide berth around things while walking through the room and do not pass between two sterile fields. If you're asked to approach the field to look at something keep your hands folded in front of you like you're praying so you're not tempted to touch or rest your hand on something. Just follow their directions and you'll have a great time. Enjoy!!!

I knew the OR was the place for me from the first time I stepped into one.

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Specializes in OR, ER, Med-Surg, ICU, CCU, Home Health.

Chris,

I agree with MamaCheese. You'll be fine. Make sure you eat breakfast. The OR is a great place to work. I've been an OR nurse for 27 years. I knew my first day that this was what I wanted to do when I grew up. They will have scrubs for you. The circulator will take care of you. Ask the circulator if the surgeon would mind if you ask questions. Most of them like to teach, but it will depend on the acuity of this procedure.

Have fun. :yeah:

Beth

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

Ok y'all I am back from my OR day and here is the update! I did find scrubs that fit me (the bottoms were a size too small but I made due.) I was able to watch three surgeries (I was not able to see all of three because of time wise but I saw most of them.) Lucky for me they were all very different and unique and I really enjoyed the experience. The first procedure got very hectic with some complications for the patient so naturally they had to really focused so I just stayed quiet and watch but it was very interesting. The second procedure I was with a different team and I was able to ask more questions and look around a lot more which was cool. In the final procedure I was with yet another team and the circulating nurse is my age and a new grad too so she was really nice and went out of her way to make me really comfortable and we chatted a bit about my future plans. I'm honestly not sure I would be an OR nurse (although the position of RN First Assistant seemed really cool and so did the nurse anesthetist) I'm just not sure it was the right fit for me but I did find it really interesting none the less. It certainly does give me a lot to think about and I am so happy I got to have the experience.

!Chris :specs:

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