No wonder other specialties don't think OR is nursing!

[PetiteOpRN]

I've noticed a surprising lack of nursing students in my OR for this time of year. Then I had one for about 40 minutes during a crani. She had spent all morning watching laparoscopic cholecystectomies. Apparently, that's where all of the nursing students have been. Don't get me wrong, lap choles can be involved, especially when/if they open. But most of the time it's plug, plug, plug, hit the lights, fill out the specimen form. The nursing student who is used to seeing floor nurses running for their whole shift now spends a day watching a nurse sit at the computer and check her email.

And the pathophysiology really isn't all that involved/complicated. Gallstones = gallbladder out.

It would be nice if the students came and saw an ortho or neuro case, where the RN has a little more to juggle (generally), and it's easier to understand the surgery itself. Watching a lap chole is like watching someone else play a video game, but watching an ORIF you can see a lot more and understand how the fracture is reduced and maybe get a better understanding of post-op care.

Does anyone else regularly have nursing students in their OR? Which cases do they get put in?

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

The only cases we have nursing students for are hearts, unless they are following a patient from their floor clinicals. Personally, I had zero exposure to the OR as a student, didn't even get an observation day.

[SandraCVRN]

We have stucents for observation only. If there is a heart scheduled they will go there first. After that we ask them if they have an interest in any field...

I don't check my e-mail in front of students, LOL

[TakeTwoAspirin, MSN, RN, APRN]

At least with laparoscopic surgeries they can see the anatomy clearly, which is something I guess. We put them in with the heart team too, but I think that's a complete waste of time and doesn't reflect what we actually do. For example, the students tend to arrive to the OR later in the morning after the heart surgery has already started. They miss the interview, positioning, lines, etc., and just get to stand around in the freezing cold for the next few hours. Unless there is a camera in the overhead lighting, they dont' get to see a darn thing. No wonder they don't "get it" and have no interest in the specialty.

[carluvscats]

The only thing students can observe in our OR is ECT's.

[tewdles, RN]

I think you make an excellent point!

I trained decades ago...and we observed quite a number and variety of cases. We were encouraged to circulate but it was not a requirement of the rotation. Our clinical instructors in the OR rotations were seasoned OR nurses. It was also encouraged that we observe any procedure our patient's were having done when possible (especially if it was new to us).

Have you considered discussing this with your management? You could really have a positive impact on the exposure of future students...

good luck

[Argo]

thats fine by me. if they arent interested, that means more jobs for the ones who truely are interested...... I shouldnt have to sell them on a specialty.....

[PetiteOpRN]

At least with laparoscopic surgeries they can see the anatomy clearly, which is something I guess. We put them in with the heart team too, but I think that's a complete waste of time and doesn't reflect what we actually do. For example, the students tend to arrive to the OR later in the morning after the heart surgery has already started. They miss the interview, positioning, lines, etc., and just get to stand around in the freezing cold for the next few hours. Unless there is a camera in the overhead lighting, they dont' get to see a darn thing. No wonder they don't "get it" and have no interest in the specialty.

Exactly. When I was in school, they always put them with hearts, and by the time they get there the hurry, hurry, hurry was over and the circulating looked like the easiest job in the world! Most of them talk to the CRNA the whole time (nothing wrong with that), and don't have a clue why the circulator is even in the room.

[PetiteOpRN]

thats fine by me. if they arent interested, that means more jobs for the ones who truely are interested...... I shouldnt have to sell them on a specialty.....

I'm not trying to sell anyone on anything, I just think it's unfortunate that these students' entire OR observation is one type of case, and not a terribly engaging one at that. The whole point of the OR rotation is to see what OR nursing is all about, and they really don't get that opportunity.

[wannabecnl]

This is a timely thread. I'm in my med-surg clinical and will be observing in the OR next week for (most likely) a CABG or a valve replacement. The following week I will be shadowing the nurse manager of the OR, picking her brain, going to meetings with her, and generally seeing how the whole system works. (I'm hoping to peek into a few more ORs along the way, too! :))

The observation day is a required part of our clinical curriculum, but my instructor added the second day when I told her of my interest in OR nursing (perhaps becoming an RNFA if my knees hold up). Our clinical site happens to be a strong cardiac center (hence the availability of CABGs and valve cases), but I would watch pretty much anything to be in the OR and also to see what nurses do there. It's my favorite place in the hospital and where I hope to work when I graduate.

I think it's really sad that not all schools schedule an OR observation day; now I know how lucky we are, but I also know the extra benefit our patients will receive. Seeing patients go through surgery gives a nursing student perspective on how to care for them pre- and post-op, and it's a part of nursing just like anything else. I suppose every specialty has its detractors, but I figure if one is happy where one works and feels useful there, how can it get any better?

Looking forward to my two OR days...

[Argo]

True. But as a manager and person responsible for putting students on assignment I will interview them for 10-15 minutes, if they aren't interested in what we are doing I will put them in te easier cases so the staff in the harder cases aren't having to watch out for the student in the room who doesn't come off as interested to learn the OR in the first place

[RogueRN]

When I'm with a nursing student, I don't look at it as "selling" my specialty --- more like sharing my passion and enthusiasm for what I do. I have found that they appreciate it when I take the time to walk them through a day in the life of an OR nurse in both the scrub and circulator capacity. I try to do this when the case is calm and I can actually talk. With a little perspective from an OR nurse, the students eyes are opened; they can connect the dots between what they are studying now and what they could be doing in the OR.

For example:

CIRCULATING...

*Pre-Op Checklist: Before taking a patient back to the OR suite from the holding area, we go through the checklist of vital info. Anything to eat or drink? (Might compromise breathing) Any allergies? If so, are we going to be using anything for the procedure that might be contraindicated? Any unusual lab values? Sometimes the pre-op nurses and physicians miss this in their haste. (If a value indicates that the patient is fighting an infection, a joint replacement procedure can be cancelled.) Health history? Surgical history? Sometimes the info can point to something important like the need to have blood products ready.

I have found that if I share my love for what I do, those who might have seemed disinterested might show a spark for OR nursing. Some change their minds or simply have an appreciation for the hard work that goes on. If they end up on a floor or in a unit, they can at least share their positive OR experience with their colleagues. To me, that's worth it.