babyshark

"floor nursing" experience does not usually translate in the OR. they are like chinese versus german. but some time spent in L&D may be an exception if not a slight benefit since you would at least be comfortable with maintaining sterility and "blood and guts" (dont ever underestimate the effect this can have on a new nurse who thinks he can handle anything! hehehe). and thats just during routine deliveries; if your L&D does its own C-sections you may at least walk away from that experience with the priceless ability to react quickly and levelheadedly in an emergency (VERY useful in the OR) and familiarity with scrubbing or circulating to boot! this being said, there is no substitution for job satisfaction, so i highly recommend you follow your true desire. if it is fact the OR, let nothing stand in your way as there are precious few of us who can say with confidence "this is where i'm meant to be. i never wanted anything else." and THAT is priceless when the day to day stress of the OR has you questioning your decision at every turn! best of luck to you!!

firstly, it is imperative for any nurse to be aware of his hospital policy regarding foley insertion and uti prevention protocol. this would not only aid in your ability to respond intelligently to the surgeon who is breathing down your neck and/or insisting you are mistaken, but for continuity of care. most operating rooms base their policies on current aorn standards, and those are the policies that you as a hospital employee must adhere to---whether the surgeon (a mere visitor in your OR) agrees or not. also, research this topic for yourself, and develop a standard practice that you would be able to stand behind at a deposition. if there is a chance that your hospital is unclear on its foley insertion policy you would be able to say with confidence what your standard practice involves when your hospital hangs you out to dry. i would not recommend altering that practice from patient to patient or depending on who the surgeon is. medicare reimbursement is a hot topic in hospitals across the country and many of them are trying every way possible to decrease their patient length of stay since the new reimbursement clause does not allow for nosocomial infections---including uti. learn the policy and stick to it. if there isn't one, gather the necessary troops to get one implemented. and until that happens, develop your evidence based practice and do not stray from it.