Seeking OR Nurse advice

SkipBeat · Nov 18, 2011

My training experience was not that difficult, and not nearly as difficult as nursing school. Although I did not go through an official program, it was more so on the job training. There is a lot to to learn, and I'm still learning because I've only been an OR nurse about 5 months. I'm off orientation now and I think I'm doing quite well. I actually like my job way better than floor nursing. What you can expect is to learn a lot of positions, equipment, and the reasoning behind what's used and why. There will also be a fair amount of anatomy because you kind of have to know what they are doing in the surgery. If you get to scrub in your program expect to learn a fair amount of sterile technique, instruments and procedures. OR nursing is not "hard" but there is just a lot that you need to know.

Just my 2 cents

iamNurse23 · Nov 21, 2011

Thank you. I really appreciate it

msn2010 · Nov 24, 2011

I will be done with my one year program in late Jan or early Feb.

I love being in the OR. This is where I wanted to be.

I am a new grad got into this program. We had both didactic (AORN PreOp 101 and 16 wks of in-class) and hands-on in the OR. It was overwhelming and still is. A lot of what I learned in nursing school are not for the intraop rn. Also, I work in a busy (total of 19 rooms including 5 from ASC) place with many different specialties.

Take LOTS of notes.

During one of my many interview with them, manager told me that I should not plan to get married or have a child...

My old co-workers warned me about OR nurses. I was told that my cohort is lucky since a lot of "mean- old" nurses retired before we came.

Good luck!

mondragon · Nov 26, 2011

The best thing you can ever do for yourself is buy a small notebook,make a section for each specialty like ortho,general etc.,once you work with a surgeon make notes :to include position,prep,foley or no foley,meds,settings on bovie or other equipment,type of dressings,leg brace,arm sling,etc.So the next time you circulate that case with that surgeon you have your own preference card for circulating.It is a lot to learn in the O.R.,but take it all in and before you know it everything clicks.For a new RN circulator it takes about a year to feel comfortable in the O.R.

michelemybell · Jan 1, 2012

I've been an O.R. nurse for over 20 years and I continue to learn every day. Do not beat yourself up or expect to "get it" any time soon. It's a technical form of nursing and takes time to feel comfortable. We are very protective of our environment so please don't feel offended. Just pay close attention, keep your cell phone away, and do the best you can. :)

NurseNicky · Jan 4, 2012

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.

Editorial Team / Admin · Jan 4, 2012

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.

Alexander's Care of the Patient in Surgery by Jane Rothrock. Another good one is Berry and Kohn's.

NurseNicky · Jan 4, 2012

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

Editorial Team / Admin · Jan 4, 2012

Before you go out and buy your own copies, check if the hospital library has copies that you can borrow or if they're included in your orientation. I was given a copy of both Alexander's and the AORN guidelines to use during orientation, and I can still borrow them from the educators or library if I wanted. They aren't cheap!

NurseNicky · Jan 5, 2012

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.

insa · Jan 5, 2012

I'm just coming up on one year in the OR. It's my first nursing job. Definitely harder than school for me.

I recommend "Pocket Guide to the Operating Room" by Maxine Goldman. I bought the Kindle edition so I can read up on cases on my smartphone (though as other posters noted, don't be tempted to get your phone out during a case).

The App I used most is Evernote - great for making out preference cards for surgeons or cases, and also useful for snapping photos of instruments with my cellphone (again, not during a case) to teach myself the instrument names.