Preparing for my new job in OR?

[michigan94]

Hello nurses. Over the past week I was lucky enough to land my dream nursing job as an OR circulating nurse! I am coming from a cardiac stepdown unit where I’ve been for 7 months since I graduated. I feel fairly confident in my role as a bedside nurse however I wasn’t enjoying it AT ALL and knew it wasn’t something I loved. I wanted to get out after getting comfortable for my sanity. I took a leap of faith applying for this job never expecting I’d get it, went to my interview and clicked very well with the nurse manager and was able to tour the OR and was so fascinated by all of it, next day I was offered the position! I’m so happy but also very nervous because I know it’s going to be sooo much to learn. OR is the one place I didn’t have any exposure to in nursing school and learning all the specialities plus what each surgeon likes seems like a lot. The NM explained to me that my orientation will be 6-12 months depending on how I do and it seems like this hospital is very adamant on preparing the nurses well. I’ll be training in each specialty throughout orientation. I’m just wondering if any of you know of any resources (books, websites, etc) that I can start using now to get a head start on preparing. I am clueless on the instruments and such and want to at least familiarize myself. I’ve been doing some research on here and will be taking a notebook with me to jot things down as I go as suggested.... Then NM said you either love or hate it, and I’m thinking/hoping I will love it. I would really appreciate any other tips you may have for new OR nurses like myself. Thank you! ?

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

AORN is always a good place to start. If your facility utilizes Periop101 in orientation, you'll get a free year's membership. They do offer a pricey lifetime membership, but as annual dues are increased, mine has more than paid for itself. After you spend some time and can decide if the OR is where you'll spend your career, you might want to consider going for it.