new to OR

[sbkd09]

hi everyone,

so i am entering my last semester of nursing school and have just been assigned to my preceptorship. I am doing it in a community hospital outside of Boston in the PACU/OR. Does anyone have any advise about starting, interesting articles to read up, or even some help with some OR basics. I have read the so your observing and the OR thread and it was helpful. I have never worked in the OR environment before so it is definately going to be a change, but I think I am ready for the challenge. Does anyone think this experience would help me in getting a job? Also, I thought it was interesting how I have been be assigned to the two seperate areas. Would it be common to try and train new nurses to cross train in the PACU/OR. Any info would be greatly appreciated!

Thank youu!

[shell07]

I have been a surg.tech in the o.r. for 9 years and graduated from nursing school about a year ago. For us they teach the pre-op and the o.r. itself but, pacu is not part of the rotation. I say if they teach you get all you can b/c some facility only take icu nurses w/acls training. If they are willing to teach take advantage of the situation and learn all you can. Read up on the pertinent procedures in your facility that you will frequent and look at the postop care and emergent signs to look out for after surgery. :yeah:congrats and god bless