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Discussion

Right Personality for OR?

Please excuse me if this has been asked before. I looked for a search option for this group and didn't see one-the interface is very busy.

Anyway, a little background. I am a newly graduated ASN registered nurse. I am still in orientation on a busy stepdown unit. I am in my 10th week out of a 12 week orientation.

I quite early realized that I didn't enjoy stepdown. I do not like my attention broken frequently and like to focus on problems. I am also technically oriented having a BS in computer science.

Recently I have been considering the OR, because of the technology and gadgets and that scrubbing invlolves focusing. I also understand from reading other posts that the circulator and all positions for that matter can feel stressed and overwhelmed. But ultimately as crazy as it gets, it's all focused on ONE pt and not several. This appeals to me.

My problem is that the lady over my orientation seems reluctant to let me out of stepdown. There is only one full-time employee on the night rotation that I will be going to. There are way more agency nurses than full timers in the unit altogether (which I guess should have been a red flag and is probably the reason she doesn't want me to get away).

I am also under a contract for two years, or pay the hospital back 6K for my education. There is another hospital that claims to buy contracts. I just placed an app today, but have not spoken with a recruiter. The OR at the other hospital claims to train for specialty teams. I think that this would be good at first as having no prior experience in the OR (not counting the two times I stood in in clinicals). I'd eventually want to learn other specialty areas.

I know this is wordy and the point may have gotten lost in the rhetoric. So I guess I am just looking for some guidance. I like technology. I tend to be very focused. I don't really like dealing with walking/talking pts. I don't like the tasks that I have to perform on stepdown. I also hate contending with the docs, case managers, etc for the charts. Getting ICU pts, because ICU is full while keeping the same nurse/pt ratio. Getting cath lab pts back and having to pull sheaths at 1830, or getting a new admit at anytime after 1600.

The only thing that bothers me about OR is the possibility of injury. As far as the surgeons and their attitudes, I find you can have the same thing on the floor with the docs-most of them fail to notice you unless they have a question. I did enjoy my OR rotation in school.

Well, if you made it this far,

Thanks for reading,

Wade

Featured Replies

Check about shadowing an OR nurse for a whole day (or a few days) and ask questions. This will give you a better idea if OR nursing is for you.

Also, if you're into technology, have you checked out the Nursing Informatics forum? Not discouraging you from the OR, i just noticed the word technology popping up, and that came to mind.

  • Author

Thanks Marie,

Yes, I am interested in informatics. That's one of the main reasons that I got into nursing directly out of my computer science degree. I'm not sure if shadowing is an option-I guess I could do it on my own time which I wouldn't mind doing if they'll let me.

I figured that I needed some background experience in nursing prior to landing an informatics job. I have lurked around on that forum however.

Hi Wade - I agree with Marie's post about shadowing with an OR nurse for a few days. It's difficult to explain everything an OR nurse does, so observing is a great way to get the full picture.

I too had a technology background before going into nursing (BS Civil Engineering), and I too had an interest in the OR right from the start. The application of technology in healthcare is so interesting, and it changes so quickly, especially in the OR. I *LOVE* OR nursing and am so happy to have made the switch from working the floor. It's a steep learning curve but it's definitely worth it. There's always something new & interesting.

Regarding the concern about injury -- yes, the OR is very physical, but if you take good care of yourself & use proper body mechanics when you're moving big equipment & patients you're in no more danger than in working the stepdown. In fact, I appreciate the fact that there are at least 4 people to move a patient post-op in the OR, so that in itself helps decrease our injury risk.

I think the OR is a hidden jewel in nursing & am amazed not more nurses are interested in trying it.

Check it out & good luck!

Thanks Marie,

Yes, I am interested in informatics. That's one of the main reasons that I got into nursing directly out of my computer science degree. I'm not sure if shadowing is an option-I guess I could do it on my own time which I wouldn't mind doing if they'll let me.

I figured that I needed some background experience in nursing prior to landing an informatics job. I have lurked around on that forum however.

Or even combine the best of both worlds. We have a few nurses in informatics that specifically work on our OR programming.

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