elle604

The OR is a very fun and learning experience for me depending on which surgeon and team you work with. The benefits outweigh the bad parts. I worked on the floor for 1 year and although I worked with a good group of nurses which I was very lucky to have but I didn't like taking care of 5 to 7 or 8 patients...it was stressful eventhough they were stable for the most part but I knew I was happier somewhere else. You should definitely shadow and when you do watch what the nurses do

Yes surgeons will yell and they may blame on youbor accuse you of something even though its not your fault. Some nurses choose to stand up for themselves and others let it pass. Some surgeons may swear/cuss alot so its just how the environment is...it gets real and they dont hide any feelings. Everywhere you go not just the OR you deal with personalities

I have a coworker that did OR travel nurse. She mainly did alot of scrub tech work because they didn't need to train her in scrubbing because everywhere is the same. She worked in nyc, dc, columbia, and from rochester. She said alot of the circulating is similar...we also have pick tickets with sugeon preferences but it constantly needs update because surgeons like ti change their mind and like to try new toys that the rep recommends but of course some serviced are straigh forward then others

In rochester ny, at my hospital there is usually 2 nurses circulating on day shifts and always 1 scrub tech could be an rn if short. The Operating room assistance help with turnovers, moving help, prepping if needed and grab equipment and supplies if the nurses havnt grab it yet before surgery. The nurse will transport patient from holding area to surgery room and sometimes anesthisia will help. On evening shifts there's generally 1 rn circulating and we can be put in any services except the heart team because they have their own people. The anesthesiologist is always present of course and it could be a crna. So depending where you located in the U.S. its very different on how the OR is structured.

I realize that the antibiotics and the fluids go in like if they are giving a bolus! The 2gm ancef, cefoxitan goes in less then 15 minutes which usually would take about 30 mins. I don't think they even use the piggy bag hook at all in the OR at all!

I just started in the OR after 1 year in orthopedic Med surg. Yes count sheet will help remember the names and what they look like. My job pays for aorn so I get to do the modules so you should check with your work before paying it in advance. I asked my educator for books she even gave me flashcards of instruments to study super helpful. And there is a thread on sutures!!!!! **** that thread help me so much, you will learn the different kinds and why they use them because when they say 3-0 of Vicryl you know how to fetch it. It means nothing until you hear it and see it. I'm still learning a lot especially the supplies and equipment because of so many different type of surgeries. Ask before you purchase anything to see what kind of resources you can get that they already have. I love or nursing and will never leave!

Thanks for the responses. I was afraid that my Fnp program doesn't have surgical clinicals. I'm guessing its mainly on the floors. But with my OR experience I'm sure I can network with a surgeon and get them to precept me. I do like the idea of having the option in working with assisting in pediatric surgeries. I also know the NPs do periop assessment and clear patients before they go into surgery but I like to know if they are fnp or acnp. I think I'm going to go for my fnp and if things change I hope it wouldn't be too hard to get post grad acnp. What worries me is that I don't have critical care background so I may struggle with that

In upstate NY it doesn't require an advanced degree to get Rnfa...so I feel like is it worth going for my NP..? Most hospitals uses surgical physician assistance and hardly any surgical nps. Iam also wondering inorder to work as a surgical NP can I do it with a Fnp? Or do I really have to go for a Acnp?

On the floor, antibiotics are hung with an alaris pump but in the OR the anesthesiologist hangs it like if he is giving a bolus or IV push, no pump nothing...everyone doesn't seem to mind...maybe it's just me. Also we don't give report to pacu, the anesthesiologist goes with the patient and so does the surgical pa...is that like this in other places..I'm in upstate ny

I think you need ACNP to assistant with surgeries. So you would go back for a post master about 2 years to get certified.

I was a new grad for 10 months, I started applying at 6 months and I worked as an orthopedic nurse and yes its possible to go into OR w/o experience and lets just say I'm never leaving ever!!! Good bye bedside forever

I just started training in the general surgery team which consist of bariatrics, mastectomy, cancer related, GI, etc...its going well so far. I'm not a fan of orthopedic and I was an orthopedic nurse because I didn't like the smell plasticy cement, I don't think its safe to breathe it in....I'm not a fan of surgeries with a lot of x ray since I don't want too much radiation... I haven't seen other specialties what are some that I won't like?

Yes new grad 22.50$/HR after the first year is 4$ raise not 5$. Not including shift differential. I'm currently working at rgh!

I just started working in the OR coming from bedside orthopedic so glad I made the change! I'm planning to be certified CNOR and I did get accepted to F.N.P. program prior to getting my OR position. 1) Can F.N.P. be surgical NP or I would have to go for my ACNP instead? 2) What is the track on working my way "up"? I know I would do cnor first. NP or rnfa next? 3) Do OR use C.N.S.? 4) How long is the schooling for RNFA? Part time that is...

Its true about Danskos. Either hate or love because of the fit. I bought dansko XP Cabrio suppose to be the most cushiony one. After wearing my foot hurted even after I had it stretch and I wear size 36 one of the smallest sizes. But! I took their nice insole and put it in my crocs (and crocs sux) it feels like heaven!!! I truly recommended buying the 50$ insoles they are the foundation of danskos and already inplanted with the arch to meet yyour footsies needs