Skip to content
View in the app

A better way to browse. Learn more.
allnurses

A full-screen app on your home screen with push notifications, badges and more.

To install this app on iOS and iPadOS
  1. Tap the Share icon in Safari
  2. Scroll the menu and tap Add to Home Screen.
  3. Tap Add in the top-right corner.
To install this app on Android
  1. Tap the 3-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner of the browser.
  2. Tap Add to Home screen or Install app.
  3. Confirm by tapping Install.
Discussion

OR Nurse Advice Needed

I recently finished school and passed my nclex. I am starting my first job next week as an OR Nurse. Problem is, I only had ONE day in school learning the role of an OR nurse so I am feeling a little inadequate. I am not really sure what tasks I am going to need to perform, what nursing skills I will be using most often, and what a typical day is like for an OR nurse. If there is anyone out there who can help me answer these questions I will be forever grateful. I am starting to freak out! Thanks in advance to anyone who takes the time to read and respond to this.

Take Care and Happy New Year!

  • Quote

    • Featured Replies

    There was a great article posted some time back, you can read it here

    Also, go over to the specialty forums and look on the OR nurses boards. You'll find tons of helpful information and advice. My only caveat is to grow a thick skin and don't let a surgeon or other persons gruffness or rudeness put you off - it REALLY is about them and not a reflection on you - some people just don't handle stress well under pressure.

    I've been in the OR for 10 years and still love it - screaming surgeons notwithstanding! Good luck to you!

  • Quote

    Hi there! First off congrats on passing your boards and scoring a job that's great! I am almost at my one year mark as a new rn in the or with no previous experience and I love it! You will learn a whole new set of highly specialized and technical skills and also use assessment, planning and intervention skills you learned in school. Take advantage of all learning opportunities on orientation, be open minded to the different ways that different nurses do tasks, stand up for yourself, take logs of notes on the cases, stay organized, always think ahead of the docs and be efficient. Its very overwhelming but rewarding. I love doing and seeing different things everyday never bored! Good luck hope you love it as much as I do

  • Quote

    Im studying to be a nurse but I want to work in the OR. Do you need to specify that you want to be an OR Nurse when you graduate or do you just graduate as an RN and when you get a job do you tell them where you want to work?

  • Quote
    Im studying to be a nurse but I want to work in the OR. Do you need to specify that you want to be an OR Nurse when you graduate or do you just graduate as an RN and when you get a job do you tell them where you want to work?

    If you want to be an OR nurse you have to apply for an OR position when you graduate. It would help if you get can you get your preceptorship in an OR during your last semester in nursing school to see if you really want to be an OR nurse. There is a steep learning curve, but most places offer a 6 months orientation.

    Good luck!

  • Quote

    Aren't they going to train you? It takes at least 6 months for our nurses before they are "let loose."

  • Quote
    • Author
    Anisettes - you said to go to the specialty boards and find the one on OR nursing...where exactly do i find it...im lots on this website
  • Quote
    • Admin
    Anisettes - you said to go to the specialty boards and find the one on OR nursing...where exactly do i find it...im lots on this website

    Use the tabs across the top- click on Specialty, then nursing specialties, then scroll down until you find "Operating Room Nursing"

  • Quote
    • Author

    thanks, found it. dont know if i would have ever found it without your guidance!

  • Quote

    • Join the conversation

    You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

    Guest
    Add a Comment
    Go to topic listing

    Currently Reading 0

    • No registered users viewing this page.

    Account

    Navigation

    Search

    Search

    Configure browser push notifications
    Chrome (Android)
    1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
    2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
    3. Adjust your preference.
    Chrome (Desktop)
    1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
    2. Select Site settings.
    3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.