Nervous about Surgical Rotation.

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Hi,

So in three weeks my clinical group changes from maternity to surgical.

I am really nervous about this.

I am in second year, so the nursing skills have vamped up this term to NG tubes, wound care, packing etc...

And although some of the new techniques are "gross at first, I know I will be fine doing them. What is most fear inducing of is the fact that we are assigned a day to watch the surgeries.

It is required and I have this fear that I am not going to do well. I don't even like watch Grey's when they cut the skin.

Is there anytips on how to avoid passing out??? Has anyone else expereinced this???

Thanks, :eek:

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

Check out the stickies in the OR forum. There's one called "so you're observing in the OR" or something similar.

As for passing out, make sure you eat breakfast that morning. If you feel like you're going to pass out, sit down. Less chance of smacking your head on the floor and less chance of contaminating the sterile field.

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I am doing Med-Surg rotation at my school now and we also have a surgical observation. I did my observation yesterday and I was in the OR all afternoon. Remember to bend your knees if your standing. Sometimes they have seats in the OR just depends on how much is going on in the OR. Make sure you eat! I saw an ortho surgery so they used x-ray machines and I had to wear lead in the OR all day, I advise you if you can, not to pick an ortho surgery because wearing the lead is very heavy and tiresome. But overall its not that bad, its really cool!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Hey - we've all been there! Previous advice is very good. Going all 'vagal' is a natural response to intense emotion - in this case, empathy with what the patient is undergoing is usually the cause. Periop nurses have no problems because they can maintain emotional distance on the job.... however, when it's a member of their own family they have the same problems that 'normal' people do. A friend of mine with many years of experience as an OR FA (first assistant) told me that she fainted when she stayed in the room as her 5 year old got a minor laceration stitched up.

The trick is to deliberately remain objective about what you are seeing. Remember that the patient is not feeling any unpleasant sensations - so, you can just 'shut the door' on those thoughts. Focus instead on trying to recall your A & P and compare what you know to the fascinating stuff that is unfolding in front of you. It's really neat to see that the aorta totally looks like mannicotti. It's a Nursing thing - gotta love it!

Most surgeons are very open to students and really enjoy teaching. Many of my students were actually offered a stool or platform so that they could get a better view of the surgical field. Who knows? This may be your favorite area of all and you just fall in love with peri-op nursing!

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Thank you for the advice... in three weeks I will find out more and we will see what happens.

Hopefully it is not as bad as I am imagining it to be!

And your right HouTx, I do think it is partly because I "feel" for the patient.

Anyways,

thanks.

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"I am in second year, so the nursing skills have vamped up this term to NG tubes, wound care, packing etc..."

WOW! I'm only a first month LPN student and we have done wound care and NG tubes already. Is this normal or is my program just waayyyyyyyyy too intense???

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#1 advise besides having something to eat, it to not lock your knees. Keep them slightly bent, trust me after many years in the military if you lock them and stand there for a few hours you will go down, also just look away once and awhile...it is really not that bad

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"I am in second year, so the nursing skills have vamped up this term to NG tubes, wound care, packing etc..."

WOW! I'm only a first month LPN student and we have done wound care and NG tubes already. Is this normal or is my program just waayyyyyyyyy too intense???

I am not sure this is a good thing, in your first month? too much too soon, need to just get the basics down first

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Specializes in Acute Care Pediatrics.

I will tell you, once you get in there you will eventually forget that they are working on a person. They completely drape patients... all that is exposed is what they are operating on. You don't see faces or anything. :) I think that makes it easier. I have always had a weak stomach for shows, etc that show surgeries.... but I was able to make it thru two ORs. One of which was a ortho surgery on a child trauma patient that included nailing two giant nails into a child's femur. :)

The above advice is great.... shift your weight, bend your knees - and if you feel a bit sick, MOVE TO THE WALL. :) Good luck!

While I have no interest in being a Scrub nurse.... the OR is a fascinating place. It's a well oiled machine!! I have nothing but mad props to give to all involved in surgery. :)

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Specializes in ER, ICU.

Sorry, every chance I've had to observe surgery I've loved it! Its so cool to see the inside of a person. Good luck, you'll be fine.

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I found the Obersvering OR thread, and it was very useful.

Thank you for pointing that to my direction.

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"I am in second year, so the nursing skills have vamped up this term to NG tubes, wound care, packing etc..."

WOW! I'm only a first month LPN student and we have done wound care and NG tubes already. Is this normal or is my program just waayyyyyyyyy too intense???

I think I should be the one to say "WOW"... in my first month we were spending it on pericare, hygiene, and handwashing and not with a real patient either... not kidding... a month.

We only just went to our first clinical setting last term, and had a 1:1 and 1:2 patient rotation.

If you have gotten to do wound care debrivement and NG tube insertions in your first months, thats awesome.

I am doing a 4 year nursing degree, and from what I know the LPN is shorter, so the program is going to be different.

Good luck!

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