Personality type for perioperative nursing?

[Maddi_Rose]

Hey guys, I'm in second year of nursing school in BC. I'm really interested in OR nursing, and hoping that I can work in an OR in some capacity over the summer if possible, depending on their policies and such, to see if I would in fact like it. But for now I was wondering what you guys think about what kind of personalities are suited for the OR best. Of course everyone is different and there's going to be diversity, but do you think there are themes to an OR nurse's qualities, personality, what they like, etc? Just to give me a better idea possibly if I would enjoy working there once I'm done :)

Thank you guys and gals!

[canesdukegirl, BSN, RN]

You have to be assertive, you have to have the ability to NOT take things personally, you have to be strong minded and be able to do lots of things at one time. You have to know when to speak up and when to let the tension roll for a minute. It is hard nursing, but well worth it!

[Marisaej]

I agree that you have to be assertive. Also be able to function independently, trust your own jugement and be very orginased. I am blessed with a very good visual memory, so that I can send my circular nurse or students to exactly the correct cupboard or shelf for a specific item. In the end, you either love OR or you hate it...very few are ambivilent...

[Argo]

Very well controlled insanity.

[MereSanity]

I am an introvert but once I am comfortable I am able to assert myself and not take things personally (which may be the most important part), assertiveness is equally important because there are STRONG personalities in the OR (don't be a door mat but be respectful). I LOVE the OR.

[GHGoonette, BSN, RN]

All of the above, especially Argo's contribution, but add to them a large capacity bladder...

And the ability to fart silently, particularly when you're working with a rude surgeon.

[canesdukegirl, BSN, RN]

All of the above, especially Argo's contribution, but add to them a large capacity bladder...

And the ability to fart silently, particularly when you're working with a rude surgeon.

Ok, a bit off topic, but this comment made me remember something hilarious. There was a med student scrubbed in with one of our trauma attendings. This attending is notorious for giving med students a hard time. I look over at him and he has this evil grin on his face and winks at me. All of a sudden he exclaims, "OH MY GOD!!! I think we accidentally knicked bowel, I can smell it!" The med student turns every shade of red and says, "Uh, sir...I passed some gas." I felt so bad for her!

[GHGoonette, BSN, RN]

Ok, a bit off topic, but this comment made me remember something hilarious. There was a med student scrubbed in with one of our trauma attendings. This attending is notorious for giving med students a hard time. I look over at him and he has this evil grin on his face and winks at me. All of a sudden he exclaims, "OH MY GOD!!! I think we accidentally knicked bowel, I can smell it!" The med student turns every shade of red and says, "Uh, sir...I passed some gas." I felt so bad for her!

SHE SHOULDN'T HAVE SAID ANYTHING!!!! Rather, she should have peered into the wound and gasped-"OH-OH, what's THAT?!!" :yeah:

If you can't beat 'em, cheat 'em! Actually, a scrub sister I worked with did just that; one of the surgeons annoyed her so she passed a silent but real violent one, and of course put on her "casual look".

[Maddi_Rose]

Thanks for the replies guys :) I ask another question here too, instead of making another thread: For hospitals that do an employed student nurse program, is there any way that a student could work in an OR in any capacity as an ESN? If not, is there a related area that is similar that they may allow me to work in?

[canesdukegirl, BSN, RN]

Hmmm...I don't know about working as an ESN. We have a program at our hospital that allows graduated nurses to apply for a "Nurse Intern Program" that entails a year of classroom coupled with actual OR time with a preceptor for new grads. It is a very intensive program that prepares new grads to work in the OR.

[SnowStar4]

Thanks for the replies guys :) I ask another question here too, instead of making another thread: For hospitals that do an employed student nurse program, is there any way that a student could work in an OR in any capacity as an ESN? If not, is there a related area that is similar that they may allow me to work in?

The OR I will be working in soon does allow "Student Nurse Associates" to work there. Actually the entire hospital system does. It's a win-win for both- great experience and money for the student and the hospital basically starts training them for cheap.

[idahostudent2011]

The biggest problem isn't the hospital, it is the school. Most of the instructors are not from a OR background, so they don't understand what is going on behind the scenes of the surgery. I am having this problem, I know I want to go back to the OR. I don't want to be on the floor. (I also am a scrub tech) I would love to do my preceptorship in the OR(free teaching time, less time teaching when graduated) but according to the school, I am not allowed because "You might want to do something else" grr. Good luck!