My name is Susan and I am part of your OR team

[SharonH, RN]

I was watching one of those shows on TLC about obese people where they exploit the participants under the pretense of "education". One of the ladies profiled was going into surgery to have a panniculectomy. In pre-op, a lady in scrubs walked up to her and identified herself by first name only and told her she was a part of the OR team and that she would be with her during the surgery. She was very polite and friendly, she then proceeded to check her name bracelet and review a checklist with the patient but I ask you what was wrong with that picture?

[Agnus]

Don't know. What is wrong?

[SeychelleRN]

Is the answer that Susan did not give her title? She just said "part of the OR team."

[RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN]

She didn't specify her role......and didn't ask the patient how she was/felt?

[SharonH, RN]

Is the answer that Susan did not give her title? She just said "part of the OR team."

She didn't give her title nor did she give specifics of what her role would be. I am almost sure that she was a nurse but I have to wonder why she wouldn't identify herself as such and be more specific about what she was going to do with the patient. This stuck out to me because of recent posts we have had on this board about fully identifying oneself both by name and title.

How can we expect credit for the work we do when we are unwilling to even identify ourselves?

[EricJRN, MSN, RN]

I'm not sure of all the ins and outs re: taping those shows, but I have to wonder how the taping affected that exchange. The "I'm Susan Speedynurse, a registered nurse here in the Operating Room and I'll be responsible for your..." thing -- that has to get old on take #19.

[ICRN2008, BSN, RN]

At my hospital, we have an initiative called NOD, which stands for Name, Occupation and Duties. We are supposed to identify ourselves at the beginning of each shift, write our name on the board and let them know how long we will be there. Each time we come into the room, we are supposed to greet the patient and let them know what we have come to do. (ie. "I have your 2pm medications here- Zofran and ketorolac. These medications will go into your IV. Do you have any questions about them?)

[ebear, BSN, RN]

The nurse should have given her title and role; however, I've never had a patient give an O.R. nurse "credit" for anything. They are usually sedated shortly upon arrival to the dept., given versed, etc. and don't remember anything much anyway. As far as my experience anyway, O.R. nurses are just in a "black hole somewhere"... (come to think of it, we ARE!!) :rotfl:

[lpnstudentin2010, LPN]

not always. there is one or nurse that stuck out in my mind. I sent her a thank you card. and we now have a correspondence, send each other Christmas cards and when she sees me at the hospital she asks how I am doing and everything. Just to let you know in case you have never been told it thank you for what you do. You are just as important as our floor nurse or surgeon.

The nurse should have given her title and role; however, I've never had a patient give an O.R. nurse "credit" for anything. They are usually sedated shortly upon arrival to the dept., given versed, etc. and don't remember anything much anyway. As far as my experience anyway, O.R. nurses are just in a "black hole somewhere"... (come to think of it, we ARE!!) :rotfl:

[ebear, BSN, RN]

Awww.... THANKS!!! See how special you are to an O.R. nurse because you were able to remember her and say thanks?! Gosh, we just don't see that very much!... and really, I don't expect it.

[lpnstudentin2010, LPN]

Awww.... THANKS!!! See how special you are to an O.R. nurse because you were able to remember her and say thanks?! Gosh, we just don't see that very much!... and really, I don't expect it.

well you deserve to hear it. just because what you do for the patient is not seen by them due to them being asleep does not mean it is not important. It is in some ways more important because you can really advocate for them if something is not right when they are absolutely not able to.

[ebear, BSN, RN]

Thanks, justapatient!