Switching to OR, any advice?

[resilientnurse]

Greetings,

I am being considered for an OR position, a switch from Med/Surg. I was just wondering if anyone could comment on how that transition might be for someone who saw the inside of an OR five years ago in nursing clinicals? Thanks.

[Spencer2002]

I'm doing the same. I can't take it anymore on the floor. I'm starting next month in the OR. I have some experience from working as in CNA in Pre-op OR and PACU. Good Luck

[resilientnurse]

Will you be starting in the same facility or are you switching all together?

[RNlascrg]

I'm in the same situation. I've done a year of med/surg nursing and just got a job in the OR at my current hospital. I really feel like I NEED a change or else I may get burnt out early on in my nursing career. I am extremely excited about transferring to the OR! I am anticipating some attitude from some of the "seasoned" OR nurses but I think once you get through your first six months and you start becoming more comfortable, most people really love it. And at my hospital, you work 3 12-hour shifts with no weekends and no holidays :) It will probably be intimidating at first, but I think, ultimately, you will be happy with your choice!

[4_Sq]

This OR nurse thinks that med surg nursing is a great background to come from when moving to the OR.

Expect the best & you will get the best.

Good Luck in the OR your experience in med surg will help you a lot.

[Spencer2002]

I have been a nurse for about 8 years. My hospital is doing my training. But I'm looking @ the long and distant future and will burn-out if I stay on the floor much longer. I'm excited as well about the new opportunity!

[resilientnurse]

Dear BOXRLUVR,

What is a typical work day for you like in the OR? If you do not mind ellaborating. Thanks.

[4_Sq]

A typical OR day is arrive work have coffee before I start, get morning report, room changes, important info affecting OR, patient cancellations or... other info.

Alternate circulating & scrubbing in assigned room Ortho, Gen, Uro, Ent Gyne, Neuro etc.

Circulating.. taking care of patient, interviewing pre-op in holding are (patient check in)

Helping scrub nurse open sterile supplies and or bringing the patient to the OR when everything is ready for them.

Doing time out to check patient identity once more, and correct surgery (done with the surgical team)

Either assisted the scrub nurse to get ready, eg.. counting etc. or assisting the anesthetist with patient anesthetic, eg spinal, general etc.

I make sure that all of the equipment & sterile supplies, etc, required for the surgery, are at hand, and that I understand the use of each piece of equipment we are using.

Helping position the patient, catheterizing the patient, prepping the patient, and connecting cautery, suction etc for the sterile team.

Tying the surgeons & assistants gowns ( at the back) after they have them on, and before the scrub nurse "turns" them.

Intraop, listening to the surgical team for any requirements, observing maintenance of sterile technique, accounting for counted items etc. etc.

Assisting anesthetist if required eg. stat lab work, fluid replacement and so on.

Charting (we use computer for this) and it is a breeze to chart.. trying not to let the charting interfere with my connection (listening) to the scrub team and anesthetist.

We are relieved for a 15 min coffee break by the float nurse, unless there are more nurses assigned to the room, then we let each other go on a break. (Same goes for lunch break)

When about to "Close" surgical case, I alert OR desk to call for next patient, and let them know that we are finishing case.

Surgical closing counts are done with scrub nurse, and after last counts, dressings are given, then once incision is closed dressing is applied. (Outer dressing sometimes applied by circulator)

Attention is to patient & anesthetist (patient emergence from anesthetic) Safety is maintained, I remain with the anesthetist and patient for this critical time.

Patient assessment, skin check done, cautery site etc. checked and documented.

When patient is ready to be transported to Recovery Room, Circulator goes with anesthetist and patient, report given to Recovery nurse, patient status, surgery, allergies, drains, complications etc..

Hope this helps.. this is just a brief description of what a usual day for me might be like... I do lots of other teaching, learning (fun stuff) as well.