NurseNicky

WOW, Twice!! I would run outta there so fast, their heads would spin! It's your license on the line, and you know what is safe for the patient, so don't let their crappy practices bring down your great clinical skills. I'm only 1 year into OR nursing and I love it, but all of what you're saying are even obvious to me, as a newer nurse. I'm so glad that my preceptor taught me well and hearing you talk about their horrible practices makes me nauseous to think that there are patients out there now with surgical site infections because of institutions like the one you're describing. You'll easily find another job with your skills. I'm sorry to hear that you're having a bad experience. Hope it improves somewhere else :-)

Firstly, let me say, "Congratulations on your new position" because you have worked hard and long! I, too, am still a newbie, so to speak. I've been an RN since 2011, worked in med/surg for 3 months, repaired a shoulder injury and my second job was an OR position...also my dream job. It's a lot of work. I lost 24lbs in my first 10 months just circulating - LOL If you can start by scrubbing first, I believe that it's invaluable!! You'll learn more about the sutures, the counting sequence and all of the instruments much faster than if you were circulating first. I started out circulating and 13 months later, I'm still confused by all the sutures, what's used where, etc. Most important is knowing your count sequence. Initial counts, count when closing a cavity within a cavity, when closing fascia, and when closing skin. If you're ever in doubt, count. Some scrubs and other RNs get persnickety but it's your license on the line. I have 3 courses left to complete my BSN and it's been very challenging! Working full time in the OR (as that's a different type of nursing school altogether), studying for classes and trying to just have a life are a rough juggle, but just balance time wisely. Great chemistry with your preceptors are invaluable. If you feel like you're not getting what you need, speak up soon so you can get a new preceptor or he/she can use a different teaching style. Lastly, a lot of the experienced nurses forget that we new nurses don't know all of their jargon and shortcuts, so write everything down :-) Doctor's preference cards and pick sheets give you great info on each doctor's style. Good luck again and welcome to the OR! NMB

Firstly, let me say, "Congratulations on your new position" because you have worked hard and long! I, too, am still a newbie, so to speak. I've been an RN since 2011, worked in med/surg for 3 months, repaired a shoulder injury and my second job was an OR position...also my dream job. It's a lot of work. I lost 24lbs in my first 10 month just circulating - LOL If you can start by scrubbing first, I believe that it's invaluable!! You'll learn more about the sutures, the counting sequence and all of the instruments much faster than if you were circulating first. I started out circulating and 13 months later, I'm still confused by all the sutures, what's used where, etc. Most important is knowing your count sequence. Initial counts, count when closing a cavity within a cavity, when closing fascia, and when closing skin. If you're ever in doubt, count. Some scrubs and other RNs get persnickety but it's your license on the line. I have 3 courses left to complete my BSN and it's been very challenging! Working full time in the OR (as that's a different type of nursing school altogether), studying for classes and trying to just have a life are a rough juggle, but just balance time wisely. Great chemistry with your preceptors are invaluable. If you feel like you're not getting what you need, speak up soon so you can get a new preceptor or he/she can use a different teaching style. Lastly, a lot of the experienced nurses forget that we new nurses don't know all of their jargon and shortcuts, so write everything down :-) Doctor's preference cards and pick sheets give you great info on each doctor's style. Good luck again and welcome to the OR! NMB

Thanks for all of the posts, everyone. I like the foam ones myself, but a lot of the scrub techs at work prefer the magnetic side, so I think that having one foam side and a magnetic side really does give the best of both worlds. ~Nicky~

Hello All, Please advise on what is considered the best/safest practice for needle holders in the OR. Is it better to use Magnetic or Foam Needle Holders? If so, also, which brand is recommended? I work in an OR that uses the red needle books with a magnetic section for blades, but now they've brought in the red needle books with foam to poke the needles through and my boss wanted me to research this issue. Any input is greatly appreciated. Thank you, NMB

Thanks for the info. I saw that book and wondered about the Kindle version, so I'll get it also. I'll also check out Evernote.

Yep, I see :-) My new boss says that it's a book that I'll use continuously as a resource, and I got a discount on Amazon from some trade-ins so it cost 1/2 the price. Thanks again.

Thank you very much, Poet. I will invest in the both of them right away, as I start OR preceptorship in March.

What's a really good OR textbook to use a resource? I was told to get Alexander's but I'm not sure of the full name of the text. Thank you.

what is the best CNOR textbook to use as a resource? I heard that Alexander's is great, but I'm not sure of the whole name of the book? Does anyone have input? Thank you.