OR Preceptorship Preparation

[nathan.sybrandy, BSN, RN]

Hi everyone,

I'm a senior nursing student (BSN track) about to enter my spring practicum.

I just received word that I'll be placed with a preceptor in the OR working one-on-one for 9 weeks. I'm very fortunate to get this placement - it's the only OR one in my program, and they only wanted students who were interested in working in the OR because they're looking to hire. So, my impression is that, provided I make good progress, this may turn into a job.

Now I'm super anxious because this is basically a 9 week job interview and I really want this job. It's a great employer and it's exactly what I want.

I've shadowed twice in the OR and loved it, but apart from that I'm clueless. I already read over the FAQs for new OR nurses, and the advice there was very helpful.

Basically, I'd just like to get your perspective on what you've seen from new grads who succeeded versus those who didn't. How do I strike a healthy balance between thinking on a systems level and working on high-dexterity tasks. I find it really difficult to perform new high-dex skills while also thinking on a systems level. My experience has been that mastering skills has been a slower process for me, while thinking on a system-level is easy. Consequently, every boss I've ever had absolutely loves me, but I've always taken awhile to get into the swing of things. It take a while for things to click for me, but once they do, I'm an excellent employee.

I'm also curious if there are resources I can use to prepare and gain background knowledge/skills so that I'm not as overwhelmed.

Any advice you can give would be much appreciated.

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

Will you be expected to learn how to scrub? Our nurse externs are only allowed to follow the circulator, so there really aren't many high-dexterity tasks to worry about.

Make sure you are clear on what the facility policy does and does not allow you to do. If you were at my facility, you would not be allowed to count as a fully licensed RN must count with the scrub. Knowing the facility's specific policy will make sure you are in compliance.

Don't pretend to know how to do something if you don't. Really, we'd rather talk you through something than see it done incorrectly.

AORN publishes a journal for OR nurses that you can always browse through. They also publish the guidelines and standards relevant to the specialty. You may want to see if the unit educator has a copy you can borrow.

[fauxpaus]

Congrats on your wonderful opportunity. From my experience precepting in OR, the biggest things I notice are that 1) newbies get overwhelmed and 2) they tend to end up charting instead of concentrating on patient care at appropriate times. To avoid #1, just try to remember...it all comes with time. Focus on the basics, the things that are needed for each case. Once you know those, then start worrying about specialty specific information. To avoid#2, try to remember...patients come first, always. You can chart later.

Those who succeed ask questions, are interactive, want to DO and TRY and don't shun new opportunities. They ask questions, they want to complete as much as possible on their own.

Don't know if this helps. Good luck :)

[nathan.sybrandy, BSN, RN]

Thank-you all for your input. I'm unsure if I'll be allowed to scrub as I haven't yet received any details like a syllabus, minimum standards, etc. I know the format is one-on-one, and the placement coordinator for the hospital told me quite plainly that it was a job interview. That has me very excited, but also nervous. My experiences in the OR, however limited, have been immensely positive, so I can hardly see myself passing this opportunity up. Once I have a few years under my belt, it seems like the realm of possibilities opens up quite a bit.