what does it take to be an OR nurse?

Specialties Operating Room

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Hi... I just graduated here in the Phil. I'm planning to take NCLEX after few months if I pass our NLE.

Actually, I have lots of choices when it comes to areas. I really enjoyed being in the OR, ICU and ER. But I prefered to be in the OR. Honestly speaking, I really hate cleaning poops! Yah! That is my greatest weakness in any area! Can't stand it! So I was thinking of an area who requires less hands-on when it comes to cleaning poops! But that doesn't mean nursing is not my passion. OR is the first area where I really enjoyed what I was doing... I know the long standing really gives me an ache, but the mere observation of the operation and able to hold organs, tumors, embryo (embryo) from an ectopic preg, veins, ovary bigger than a human head, and other stuff in the flesh really motivates me to work there!

I just want to know, what does it take to be an OR nurse in the US? How does it feel? Can you please share some of your experiences?

Being an OR nurse is the only real nursing I have ever wanted to do. I've taken "breaks" from the OR and always end up coming back.

The doc's are not so bad, if they are moody you just ignore them but for the most part you become part of a team and most surgeons understand that a good OR nurse is invaluable!

A lot of OR nurses get tied up in a certain specialty but it is best to be flexible and willing to learn new things, it keeps you current and more marketable in the end.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Thanks ginger!!! Actually I do have a strong bladder. I can bear not to pee for more than 10 hours.... I know its really bad, but my bladder can easily adjust to situation.

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Specializes in Vascular,Heart team, Urology,Gen...
Hi... I just graduated here in the Phil. I'm planning to take NCLEX after few months if I pass our NLE.

Actually, I have lots of choices when it comes to areas. I really enjoyed being in the OR, ICU and ER. But I prefered to be in the OR. Honestly speaking, I really hate cleaning poops! Yah! That is my greatest weakness in any area! Can't stand it! So I was thinking of an area who requires less hands-on when it comes to cleaning poops! But that doesn't mean nursing is not my passion. OR is the first area where I really enjoyed what I was doing... I know the long standing really gives me an ache, but the mere observation of the operation and able to hold organs, tumors, embryo (embryo) from an ectopic preg, veins, ovary bigger than a human head, and other stuff in the flesh really motivates me to work there!

I just want to know, what does it take to be an OR nurse in the US? How does it feel? Can you please share some of your experiences?

It takes strength and endurance of both character and soul and a love of adrenalin:devil: It takes a lot of common sense and being able to prioritize your work. Yes, standing can make you ache, doing nothing can cause delays in care and death. It is a job that is driven by individuals who are mostly type "A" and love being autonomous. OR nurses think on there feet and those feet are usually moving. in the perfect world (and I have been a part of it some times) you work with people that are on the same page as you and the work flows from one to the next. It is almost as if you can read each others minds. OR nurses do not hesitate to come into a room and if someone is not doing the work, they pick up the slack. It can be the best place on the planet to be or it can be hell. Dr's that yell happen. If people think it is going to be all warm and fuzzy then they should go somewhere else. I have worked with ones that yell and ones that don't. You do not need to be abused verbally or physically by another be that an RN, Tech or Dr. just do not get hung up on that. I believe that when you scrub or circulate for the doctors and show them that you are doing the best you know how, that you are PAYING ATTENTION to the case and are interested that it is usually a win win. Good luck to you it sounds like it just might be the place for you. However on the "poops" issue it does happen but not as frequently as other places!:trout:

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Thanks bifurcated!You've been a nurse for 34 years? Wow! I bet you can already read or anticipate everything the doctors and patient needs! I really admire nurses who are like that!!!!

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Specializes in trauma, ortho, burns, plastic surgery.
It takes strength and endurance of both character and soul and a love of adrenalin:devil: It takes a lot of common sense and being able to prioritize your work. Yes, standing can make you ache, doing nothing can cause delays in care and death. It is a job that is driven by individuals who are mostly type "A" and love being autonomous. OR nurses think on there feet and those feet are usually moving. in the perfect world (and I have been a part of it some times) you work with people that are on the same page as you and the work flows from one to the next. It is almost as if you can read each others minds. OR nurses do not hesitate to come into a room and if someone is not doing the work, they pick up the slack. It can be the best place on the planet to be or it can be hell. Dr's that yell happen. If people think it is going to be all warm and fuzzy then they should go somewhere else. I have worked with ones that yell and ones that don't. You do not need to be abused verbally or physically by another be that an RN, Tech or Dr. just do not get hung up on that. I believe that when you scrub or circulate for the doctors and show them that you are doing the best you know how, that you are PAYING ATTENTION to the case and are interested that it is usually a win win. Good luck to you it sounds like it just might be the place for you. However on the "poops" issue it does happen but not as frequently as other places!:trout:

You are my girl! Go for It! Yup Need to builded to be OR. ORs, run all day, ORs stay in incomode position may be hours keeping some surgical devices, OR (could stay in Roentgen or radiations some of them) ORs could be the best sweeing machine, looool, suturing in ER or neccessities states (I don't know if is allowed here....) ORs are down in their soul and crie when they saw line, ORs laugh and know a lot of indecent jokes and saw a lot, ORs is a team member ever, who was one time OR will be OR ever in her soule!

Zuzi hugs all ORs nurses!

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Determination to learn tons of stuff, ability to deal with arrogant and abusive personalities, and ability to juggle 10 tasks at the same time.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Wow! VEry inspiring indeed!!!! Thank you very much!!!!

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Specializes in Med-Surg/Peds/O.R./Legal/cardiology.

Cay,

OMG YES!!!!! TURP's are so sickening smelly! It seems like you can still smell it for hrs. after the case! YUK!!!

ebear

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Specializes in Postpartum, Antepartum, Psych., SDS, OR.

:down::down:

Not the choice before lunch case

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Specializes in Critical Care.

hahaha.... that's true!

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Luckily, less TURPS are performed these days thanks to Avodart.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

hmmmm... What's avodart? I haven't heard that before.

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