OR Nurse Advice Needed

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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!

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Specializes in ED, OR, SAF, Corrections.

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!

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Specializes in OR Nurse.

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

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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?

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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!

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Specializes in M/S, MICU, CVICU, SICU, ER, Trauma, NICU.

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

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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
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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
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"

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

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