teaching project help specific to OR

[mrw322]

I have posted before and got some wonderful advice so I thought I would try again. I will get by BSN next month and am currently doing a perceptorship in the OR-- my choice. I now have to do a teaching project specific to the OR for the staff. It basically will just be a handout that I will put in their mailboxes. Anyway, since I am new to the OR and am still a student, I am unsure what to do it on. My instructor suggested doing something on recycling in the OR. I have noticed that there is a lot of trash/supplies that can be recycled. What do the OR nurses on this board think about this topic? Would it be a good or do you have other suggestions? The only thing that worries me is I need 5 sources and recycling in the OR or a "green" OR is not that common so sources are slim. Any suggestions or guidance would be appreciated.

MRW

[canesdukegirl, BSN, RN]

I have found (surprisingly) that a lot of nurses don't understand their scope of practice, or know exactly how many CEUs they need to renew their license. I would do a handout along the lines of "Did You Know"... and then list out things that are interesting:

1. Did you know that our state BON requires X number of CEUs for renewal, and that class X or workshop Y offers Z amount of hours?

2. Did you know that JCAHO has changed the traditional terminology of "X" to "Y" as accepted practice?

3. Did you know that new legislation has been passed that limits the number of hours an RN can work within a 24 hour period (provide reference here.)?

4. Did you know that the largest number of malpractice cases involving the operating room are directly linked to incorrect positioning and the resulting injuries?

Stuff like this. Nurses like to be informed of things that will affect their daily practice. From a personal standpoint, I can't stand for my mailbox to be filled with fluffy stuff that doesn't matter in my practice-like the VP of cardiology is hosting a party for a retiring member of the staff in the middle of the day when you can't possibly attend, and don't know who this person is anyway because you don't even work in that department. Or something pertaining to Magnet status...

My point is that nurses will be impressed if you find information that they can USE and if you provide references for them to check out themselves, you will not only gain immediate credibility, but you will also be helping out your fellow peeps!

[fusionfire32]

spot on canes,

most nurses know their clinical side of stuff but things constantly changing is the scope of practice.something that students can bring in especially if the nurse has qualified long time ago

[Mr. & Mrs. RN]

Is there really a limit on hours??? I'm curious because I've worked two 18 hour shifts in the last to weeks...killer.