Positives and Negatives about working OR

[PACNWNURSING]

I was an LPN for 8 years and I am looking into possible RN careers. Most of the posts I read in here appear to be pretty positive. But I want the real deal, what is the reality of working in the OR. Thanks.

[debbieuk]

blood, guts, bones, smells, aching feet, a bad back, lead gowns, never finishing on time, and politics......... great team work, fasinating surgery, good pay, patient care like no where else and something different every day....

i would not do anything else I LOVE IT

debbie

[ortess1971]

Pros: surgery is very very cool, you have 1 patient to take care of, the OR is kind of a self contained unit-you get very close to the people you work with, and you basically have a set schedule(except for call), you don't have to deal with pt's families much.

Cons: having to pee when you're scrubbed, sometimes you get sprayed with blood and other stuff(as a tech, I got covered in irrigation that had pseudomonas in it! Had to go take a shower!), getting called in in the middle of the night when you're all snuggled under the covers,dealing with some of the docs-especially anesthesia.

I also love the OR and wouldn't trade places with anyone..

[ewattsjt]

I am a CST going to school for ASN. Observe the OR if you can. I love it and would dread working anywhere else. ortess is right about the cons but, you get use to them.