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Discussion

Shadowing in the OR

Hi, I was wondering what other nurses thought about the idea of a new grad nurse shadowing a nurse in the OR. Is it a burden on the nurse being shadowed? Is it beneficial to for a new grad to observe the role before deciding if that is what they want to do?S

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    • Featured Replies

    I welcome it! Of course if you don't work at the hospital you need approval first. But I have always worked at teaching hospitals and don't mind at all.

    MereSanity BSN, RN, CNOR

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    • Author

    I have plenty of time available. I am unsure of the amount of time I would like to shadow. What amount of time do you think would provide me with a basic understanding of the nurses role in the OR?

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    • Admin

    Unfortunately, it is nearly impossible to give you an amount of time to understand the role of the RN in the OR. Length and types of cases vary, as do the roles with the variety of surgeries. In a local case, I may be the person monitoring vital signs. In a cardiac case, I may have some down time to do other necessary tasks such as completing a list of items needed to restock the room. In a room with multiple short cases, I may not have time for those extra tasks.

    However, shadowing is definitely something you should do before applying for a position. In the stickies for the OR forum, you will find an exhaustive list of tips compiled by many posters over the years call "Soooooo You're Observing in the OR" or something similar. Basically, the biggest things to remember are to not contaminate the sterile field and ask questions only at appropriate times (avoid anesthesia induction/emergence, counts, etc.).

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    The OR has the longest orientation period of any specialty (6 months to a year in some cases). It would be difficult to truly know what an OR nurse does in just a day. However unless you work there it may not be feasible to spend a lot of time shadowing. Just be observant and ask a lot of questions.

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    I learned to love the OR because of some really great nurses who allowed me to do observation as a student and as a new grad. Therefore, I welcome all students, new grads, and experienced nurses that might be interested in OR nursing. I also encourage shadowing/observation prior to entering the world of OR nursing because it truly isn't for everyone.

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    Surgery is a great specialty, and I completely agree that the nurse's role (often multiple: scrub, circulate or assist [RNFA additional certification])can not be summed up in a single observation. If you go to observe, it's okay to ask the nurse manager to observe with a strong (preferably someone who enjoys teaching) nurse to shadow.

    I did a nurse residency program in surgery almost straight out of nursing school and that was an awesome, detailed O.R. orientation. If surgery is where you think you would like to end up, check around facilities near you to see if they offer training like that.

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    • Author

    Thank you to everyone who replied. So, I am calling around different hospitals in the area I live. All the hospitals say they don't allow shadowing in the OR. Any suggestions about how I should go about getting this opportunity?

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    We have people shadow after their initial interview. Other than that though, we don't let people shadow in our OR.

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