Miles Johnson

You can definitely be successful if that area of work motivates you. Especially if the orientation is a year long ordeal. I had to do a year long orientation for a Peds OR and by the end of that year I felt so confident I wanted to scream at my preceptors to leave me alone by the end of it. And then I went to others where it was only 3 months long and that was just about right for an experienced OR RN to get the lay of the land down and get going. Some advice, learn who your resources are early on. Find the teammates that you can rely on for good information in a pinch for questions. I still have to do this when I sit in a case that I haven't done in a year's time. The basics will be there always, the specifics may need reviewing from time to time. I find that the OR work life has really good balance. Every OR I've been to I have met great people, really fun people. Guaranteed lunch breaks? Sign me up. Flexible Schedules. The OR has much to offer that some other areas simply don't. There is also another specialty called Endoscopy, which is kind of like OR, but it's all scopes. I did that for a couple years and really enjoyed it too. Good luck in your decision!

I have 10 years OR experience. It's a learning curve for beginners, and these days it's not outrageous to find new grads straight to the OR. Covid has changed everything. In regards to skills, totally different skill set and mostly can only be applied in OR. You generally won't give many meds, if at all. You'll do Foley catheters and start IVs if you're lucky. But, the OR simply is the most fun place to work in the hospital. You generally get guaranteed lunch breaks (I've been to 4 ORs) - not always the case on the floor. Work life balance is easier. Scheduling is more flexible - more options for working 5 8s vs 4 10s vs 3 12s etc. So truly it's up to you. It can be stressful. I have lost patients, but my ICU friends lose patients daily. Surgeons can be prima donna's. But you do need to do your part in learning the cases and what is expected of you in emergency situations. I stand by my word that the OR is hands down the most fun specialty to work as a nurse. Once you get past the learning curve it's easy as pie. I hardly ever stress anymore

Typically, there is only one circulator in these rooms. And depending on hospital policy, vendors/reps may not be allowed to physically touch the HANA. I haven't really seen issue with one circulator in the room. We generally avoid using circulators by themselves in a room if they aren't confident with it, considering it has the potential for serious patient harm is used incorrectly. Generally we give 3 weeks or so of Ortho orientation so that most RNs will be able to manage the HANA without issue. If you don't feel comfortable, I would speak up to your educator or manager about getting more time with someone that circulates hips. And your primary role would just be figuring out that table.