OR or ICU rotation

nlitened · Dec 2, 2015

Go for the ICU/ER rotation. You will get way more experience, perform more skills, and do way more critical thinking in that rotation.

My experiences in the OR were quite mundane.

GatezRN · Dec 2, 2015

OR nursing is a very specific specialty. I worked in the OR as a surg tech before I went to nursing school, and I loved it. With that being said, I knew that I did not want to be a circulator because I really wanted more patient/family interaction. If you have the opportunity to take the ER/ICU rotation, I think the skills you learn there will be very valuable to any specialty of nursing you choose to pursue. Good luck!!

Editorial Team / Admin · Dec 2, 2015

Keep in mind that the vast majority of tasks in the OR may not be permitted for a student to do. When I have a student, they may put in a foley, help with positioning, and observe. Only an RN may dispense mess to the field, only an RN can count, only an RN may document. Even when I was working as a GN prior to NCLEX, I wasn't permitted to do these things on orientation as an employee. You will probably get much more out of the critical care rotation.

JuliusSeizure · Dec 2, 2015

Like counting sponges? OR is for you!

Editorial Team / Admin · Dec 2, 2015

Like counting sponges? OR is for you!

Please tell me you are aware there is much more to OR nursing than counting sponges.

JuliusSeizure · Dec 2, 2015

Please tell me you are aware there is much more to OR nursing than counting sponges.

Absolutely. I was just being sarcastic.

I'm actually the same way with my patients, I love making them laugh and spending extra time with them by teasing them. I even make fun of myself all the time.

Rory8 · Dec 3, 2015

I think it really depends on what you're interested in. If you can really see yourself being an OR nurse, and are okay with more observation than hands-on, then you should go for it! The feeling I get from you though, is that the idea of a likely job offer, and not the actual OR, is what is attracting you to this rotation. OR is definitely not for everyone so pick the one you have the most interest in! :)

pixiestudent2 · Dec 3, 2015

Im currently an OR nurse... I'd go with the ICU rotation. We don't allow students to do anything... Nothing at all but look... Are students only come for a day or two, so it might be different if you're there for a whole semester.

CSTtoRN · Dec 4, 2015

Oops, this was supposed to be a quote, redid it below

CSTtoRN · Dec 4, 2015

OR nursing is a very specific specialty. I worked in the OR as a surg tech before I went to nursing school, and I loved it. With that being said, I knew that I did not want to be a circulator because I really wanted more patient/family interaction. If you have the opportunity to take the ER/ICU rotation, I think the skills you learn there will be very valuable to any specialty of nursing you choose to pursue. Good luck!!

As a surg tech about to finish 3rd semester, I totally agree with you!

ohthatswhatthatdoes · Dec 5, 2015

Go to the ICU, unless you're certain you want to work in the OR. It takes more than a few weeks to get it, to really understand what's going on (in my experience, after rotation and working in the OR for about a year) and you probably won't be allowed to do anything cool. Perhaps try to find out what students can do? If the assistant surgeon places the foley and the anesthesiologist sticks in the 14GA because he won't let you **** up the one good vein he needs... If you love anatomy, it might be worth it though, the colors and smell of real tissue can't be experienced through books or film :)