Hi! Im not a bedside nurse but still wanted to comment on what I like about the OR.
Im a big anatomy person so the OR is super cool. You get to see the craziest/coolest things-an adult heart beat on its own, a 1month old heart beat on its own, bullets being removed from the oddest of places (someones butt), remove an eyeball, see and touch someones brain, and hold a liver/lung/kidney etc. I consider it very much "behind the scenes" of the human body. Yes, most people think its gross but I think its super cool. Most people won't ever get to see that in a lifetime. Then you have these crazy cool lifesaving surgeries like transplant, imagine pre-opping a patient "hi sir/madam, can i have you confirm your name...DOB...allergies... and what are you here for?.... correct, a new kidney. I know you've wait 5 years for this moment". You can feel their nervousness/excitement, its so raw and palpable. Plus you get to be there to ensure it all goes smooth, you play a major part in this major milestone. You truly make a difference.
Plus, its one patient and one time. You can focus on your patient. You are there, the surgeon, anesthesia, and residents (depending on the hospital). So if *** hits the fan, you work together. True teamwork. I also work midshift so I get thrown everywhere but I like it. I can go from a hip replacement, to VATS to liposuction or mastectomy to ureteral stent placement to liver transplant. Its crazy cool and keeps me on my toes (while having the ability to always focus on one patient).
Hope that helps
