BarbaraNM

Wow...very scary. And also a totally legitimate reason to seek an exemption. Sorry you had problems, even if working from home. Sending you hugs...

good point... When I had Covid July 2022, they offered me Paxlovid, which I declined, for the reasons you state. I told the doctor "no. I trust the vaccines.“.

Not a chance I would go along with that. It is essential that we interview the patient in PreOp, carefully check consents and signatures, verify the surgeon’s marking on the operative site, reassure the patient and family. I have found a number of discrepancies that might have been a huge deal if not corrected. It is our policy that the OR RN and the Anesthesia provider bring the patient to the OR together. Turnover time is irrelevant if patient safety is ignored.

That’s awesome! And CONGRATS on graduating and your first shift as a RN!! I followed the same path….Paramedic since 1989, started EC in 2012, graduated 2014 and started working as an OR Nurse in 2015. Only regret is not doing it sooner. Sending you best wishes for a long and fulfilling career. Excelsior has made it possible for so many of us.

EPIC...and I find it very easy to use.

In my OR, we move nearly every patient with 4 people....the Anesthesia provider at the head, one person on each side, and one at the feet. Of course, if it is a child or a very small patient we will sometimes move with only 2 or 3. Add an additional person on each side for an especially large patient. We will broadcast 'Moving help needed in room 7'...no explanation required. And we truly don't have anyone working that can't lift at all....fortunately, those with temporary limitations are taken care of by all coworkers. I feel that safety for all employees in the OR and safety for the patient far outweighs any desire to move more quickly. I understand about turnover times...our target is 30 minutes....which doesn't start until we are out of the room.

Edited

I'm going to add my $00.02 to this post...and I am going to disagree with MorgantonCRNA's statement that new Nurse grads don't belong in the OR. Some of us have had many years of other experience in the medical field.....I have been a Paramedic since '89, but a Nurse for only 2 years and working in the OR as my first Nursing job. So, I would be confident working with a CRNA or Anesthesiologist in a code. Feelings not hurt, but there are always exceptions when a statement like that is made.....

Hello, I'm very sorry you were not successful. Please plan on trying again. It is doable. Yes, they are very picky, but there are really no surprises. The Study Guide, and specifically the Scoring Tool, states exactly what you must do and what you must chart. All the Critical Elements. Under Patient Teaching, a critical element in charting is 'Assessment of learning readiness'......if not charted, they cannot pass you. It isn't unfair. What areas in your other PCSs were a problem? We can offer suggestions and help....and please go back and retake it!!

Awesome description!! Even though I am still new, this perfectly describes my day...EVERY day in the OR. I LOVE IT!! Barbara

Good luck getting into the training program!! Hope you love it as much as I do. I just started Circulating this week and it is a new challenge, but everything is starting to come together. It is fun, challenging, exciting, and always interesting. You can't go wrong buying Alexander's 'Care of the Patient in Surgery... 15th edition is the latest. It may also be available to borrow from your local library (Mine got it from a Med School in AZ) Of course, after starting the program and buying the book 2 weeks prior, it was given out to the others and I had spent $100. Oh well... Also, if you are still a student, AORN offers a special deal for a 1-year membership. Pricey otherwise. Luckily, that is another's benefit of my program. The membership also includes a subscription to AORN Journal. Great publication. After completing my required 2 years after training, I may look into traveling. Seems like it could be very lucrative. Wishing you you the best.... and I say GO FOR IT!! Barbara

I just wanted to comment on your suggestion that says the new OR Nurse should stay in one OR. The theory being that by working with the same surgeons, & always/often doing the same types of surgery, you only have to learn those particular surgeons & what they like & do. I'm not sure where you work, but in both medical centers I've worked in, we had to take call, even with routine night shift staffing; & we had to take weekend call even with a dedicated weekend staff. Emergencies happen, often while the regular staff is already operating. With that in mind, the potential exists that you may be required to do many different types of surgery, with many different types of surgeons!!! Therefore I would discourage anyone from simply staying in one room because it's easier to learn a few procedures done by the same surgeons repeatedly. If you'll be taking call, you need to be familiar with many, many types of surgeries, services, & surgeons, as well as a lot of instruments & equipment (or as you said above, many machines & utensils). I've been an OR Nurse for 33 years. I specialize in Neurosurgery, however, having worked in an Orthopedic surgery center for 7 years, I also do a day or two in Ortho. I've done practically everything except open heart. I can circulate & scrub just about anything, & was evening shift charge nurse in a busy medical center for 10 years, so dealing with emergencies helped me hone my organizational skills, plus learn to prioritize, gather any instruments & equipment which will be used as all as those that may potentially be used. I always keep a cart outside of the sterile core door into my OR with all of the possible instrument sets/equipment "just in case...." So don't try to limit yourself just because it's less to learn; instead, tell your charge nurse (or OR Nurse educator who may be orienting you) that you need to get into as many types of cases as you can, in order to be able to perform your job in the highest standard. You'll feel more confident & in control when on call or working an "off" shift. Plus, in the long haul, if you relocate & need to apply for a new job, having a diverse knowledge of all types of procedures & keeping up with new equipment will make you more marketable (especially having an edge over less experience nurses). Good luck to you!!! Great advice!! I am a new RN, working in my first Nursing job and am in a 6 month Periop program. My first rotation is as a Scrub, then I will be trained in Circulating. I have been in many different types of cases, and it is truly overwhelming! SOOOOO much to learn! But I am loving it!! I want to be able to do any and every type of case, but I admit, being in a room that is 'familiar' is somewhat reassuring at this early stage!! I will be placed into a Circulating role once I am sent to one of the 3 facilities that is a part of this hospital. Being able to do any case, either role, will make me a better OR Nurse and more marketable, if I ever decide to travel. Rose Queen, Spiker, and anyone else that contributes to these pages... thank you for the input and advice. It is excellent information!!

After starting this thread, I started researching and found it interesting that the Danskos of the past are no longer available.... unless you buy Sanita, who had been the original manufacturer of Dansko. When they split in 2007 or 2008, the production of Danskos was sourced out... 80% to China! It is possible to get Danskos NOT made in China... check the inside of the upper leather. If it is made in Italy or Poland, it should be fine, and may still be made by Sanita. Many people find the fit of Dansko unacceptable now, likely due to the lower quality construction in China. After trying on many pairs in both brands, I bought a pair of black leather Professional Dansko (made in Italy!) and a pair of glossy gray Sanita. The feel, fit and construction of both seems identical. Both seem to be easy to clean, especially the glossy ones. I will continue to check out the other brands, and plan on having multiple pairs of shoes for different functions. Thanks so much to everyone who replied!!

And I'm guessing you wear the rubber or vinyl clogs on scrub days, like Rose_Queen? What brand is best? I've seen a few that look ok... Thanks!