What attributes do you need as a OR nurse

carolmaccas66, BSN, RN · Aug 26, 2011

I've only done clinicals in the OR, but you need a good bladder! If ur one of these people who need a toilet near you, don't be an OR nurse! Don't drink lots of coffee and caffeine inbetween cases either, cos if ur busting for the toilet, u cannot go if ur scrubbed.

Good time management, knowing where everything is - as you may be scouting or scrubbing - and anticipating what the surgeon will need. You will also do a lot of running to the store or sterilisation rooms for sterile packs or equipment. And the store room we had WAS HUGE - bigger than the biggest market you can think of - so when you get some time, familiarise yourself with where everything is. Good communication is an asset in the OR as in any job. And you need to listen carefully, as with masks on, other people sound muffled so I clarify things with them.

Get all u need ready before the surgery starts, also always follow strict sterile techniques. Get to know ur suture sizes/styles as well as you will be using A LOT of these.

I'm sure other, more experienced nurses will give u better advice.

DoGoodThenGo · Aug 26, 2011

I've only done clinicals in the OR, but you need a good bladder! If ur one of these people who need a toilet near you, don't be an OR nurse! Don't drink lots of coffee and caffeine inbetween cases either, cos if ur busting for the toilet, u cannot go if ur scrubbed.
Good time management, knowing where everything is - as you may be scouting or scrubbing - and anticipating what the surgeon will need. You will also do a lot of running to the store or sterilisation rooms for sterile packs or equipment. And the store room we had WAS HUGE - bigger than the biggest market you can think of - so when you get some time, familiarise yourself with where everything is. Good communication is an asset in the OR as in any job. And you need to listen carefully, as with masks on, other people sound muffled so I clarify things with them.
Get all u need ready before the surgery starts, also always follow strict sterile techniques. Get to know ur suture sizes/styles as well as you will be using A LOT of these.
I'm sure other, more experienced nurses will give u better advice.

To the above excellent advice I'd only add having a thick skin, a *very* thick skin. By this I mean one simply cannot be a silly goose that will break down and cry because someone raises their voice and or is otherwise mean to them.

Surgeons, anesthesiologists and the rest of the medical surgical staff can be a bit, well let us say *rough* at times and you need to be able to let things run off your back and deal with the matter at hand. One cannot be bitter, hold a grudge, pout an or otherwise engage in passive aggressive behaviour. OTHO if you truly feel a comment or tone was uncalled for "take it outside". By this I mean when things have calmed down take the offending person aside and explain how you feel. Most of the good guys don't mean to be ba***rds and will make ammends in their own way.

RNperdiem, RN · Aug 26, 2011

In areas outside OR, you will interact with other nurses, doctors, RT frequently during your shift and will be alone with your patients at other times.

In OR, you will be in the presence of other people continuously in one room for hours at a time.

There is no escape!

It helps if you are easy to get along with and are not easily irritated by others.

canesdukegirl, BSN, RN · Aug 26, 2011

1. You must be malleable. You have to be able to change your plan of action easily and efficiently. Things change quickly in the OR.

2. You must be knowledgeable of the procedure you are doing. It is always helpful to get your assignment the night before the next shift so that you can read up on pt hx, the procedure itself, and be prepared for what to expect regarding key steps in the procedure.

3. You must be confident. If you don't know something, don't be afraid to ask. But don't be a deer in the headlights if a surgeon asks for something and you have no idea what they are talking about. Call or text page your manager to help you; that's what they are there for.

4. You must be assertive for your patient. YOU are their advocate and must be their voice when you see something that is concerning. For example, if the consent says I&D of left arm, and the surgeon looks at the right arm, sees a wound and wants to debride that one too, speak up.

5. You have to learn not to take snarkiness personally. Sometimes things get pretty stressful in a hurry, and knowing that the yelling and expletives coming out of the surgeon's mouth at the speed of light is just their way of venting. Is it appropriate? No, but life goes on. As long as they aren't telling you that you are too fat for your scrubs and that your kids are ugly, don't take their tantrums seriously.

6. You have to be super organized. The more organized and prepared you are, the more smoothly your case will run.

7. You have to know how to anticipate. If you are circulating, you have one eye on your charting and one on the sterile field. Listening to the surgeons discuss the case while they are operating is key in anticipating their next request. If you are scrubbing, you should ALWAYS have something in your hand, because you know by listening to the surgeons what their next step will be. Don't ever take your focus off of the sterile field.

8. You have to be able to get along with people. Even if you don't care for them otherwise, you still must set aside your personal feelings and get through the shift, because they are your teammates for the day.

9. Know when to be quiet, and know when it is ok to make small talk. When the surgeon is dissecting down on an artery, that ain't the time to discuss what you did last weekend, for example. The OR is a fun place to work, but there are 'unwritten rules' that should be followed-and this is a big one.

10. Understand and know how to implement a sense of urgency. Don't go to pieces when something goes wrong...remain calm and think through what YOU would do if you were operating. This mindset will become valuable to you and will help you anticipate what to do. For example, the surgeon just hit a vessel. There is blood pumping out, and the surgeon can't see where the cut vessel is. You would suction, right? Then you would want to ligate the vessel. Have a stick tie or a hemostat close at hand.

The OR is such a fun place to work. Once you get the gist of it and become comfortable and confident, you will fall completely in love.

NurseSnarky · Aug 27, 2011

1. You must be malleable. You have to be able to change your plan of action easily and efficiently. Things change quickly in the OR.
2. You must be knowledgeable of the procedure you are doing. It is always helpful to get your assignment the night before the next shift so that you can read up on pt hx, the procedure itself, and be prepared for what to expect regarding key steps in the procedure.
3. You must be confident. If you don't know something, don't be afraid to ask. But don't be a deer in the headlights if a surgeon asks for something and you have no idea what they are talking about. Call or text page your manager to help you; that's what they are there for.
4. You must be assertive for your patient. YOU are their advocate and must be their voice when you see something that is concerning. For example, if the consent says I&D of left arm, and the surgeon looks at the right arm, sees a wound and wants to debride that one too, speak up.
5. You have to learn not to take snarkiness personally. Sometimes things get pretty stressful in a hurry, and knowing that the yelling and expletives coming out of the surgeon's mouth at the speed of light is just their way of venting. Is it appropriate? No, but life goes on. As long as they aren't telling you that you are too fat for your scrubs and that your kids are ugly, don't take their tantrums seriously.
6. You have to be super organized. The more organized and prepared you are, the more smoothly your case will run.
7. You have to know how to anticipate. If you are circulating, you have one eye on your charting and one on the sterile field. Listening to the surgeons discuss the case while they are operating is key in anticipating their next request. If you are scrubbing, you should ALWAYS have something in your hand, because you know by listening to the surgeons what their next step will be. Don't ever take your focus off of the sterile field.
8. You have to be able to get along with people. Even if you don't care for them otherwise, you still must set aside your personal feelings and get through the shift, because they are your teammates for the day.
9. Know when to be quiet, and know when it is ok to make small talk. When the surgeon is dissecting down on an artery, that ain't the time to discuss what you did last weekend, for example. The OR is a fun place to work, but there are 'unwritten rules' that should be followed-and this is a big one.
10. Understand and know how to implement a sense of urgency. Don't go to pieces when something goes wrong...remain calm and think through what YOU would do if you were operating. This mindset will become valuable to you and will help you anticipate what to do. For example, the surgeon just hit a vessel. There is blood pumping out, and the surgeon can't see where the cut vessel is. You would suction, right? Then you would want to ligate the vessel. Have a stick tie or a hemostat close at hand.
The OR is such a fun place to work. Once you get the gist of it and become comfortable and confident, you will fall completely in love.

EXCELLENT (as usual) Canes...#9 is my biggest pet peeve I think. I am a quiet circulator as I'm trying to pay attention, etc. We had a med student recently who was a CHATTY Cathy and the surgeon was getting more than annoyed. I could see he was about to blow. So in between cases, I told her she had to keep quiet...no offense, but this surgeon doesn't like a lot of chatter unless he's asking the questions. Just the way it is. She seemed so offended (as she'd been in other rooms and talked and talked...on & on and no one told her it was TOO MUCH!). I just told her like it was and that was that. She was in the room for a short bit longer, quiet as a mouse and then left all bummed out. It's not social hour IMHO. She wanted to talk about school things and her personal life at a regular tone non-stop.

I also had some med students who were shootin' the business as I was bringing in a patient and this gal was nervous. I whipped around and gave them a look and then put my finger up and shushed them. They were stone silent every time a patient came into the room and was being put under from there on out.

canesdukegirl, BSN, RN · Aug 27, 2011

I also had some med students who were shootin' the business as I was bringing in a patient and this gal was nervous. I whipped around and gave them a look and then put my finger up and shushed them. They were stone silent every time a patient came into the room and was being put under from there on out.

You are a wonderful advocate for your pt. I can't stand this type of behavior. Can you imagine what is going through the pt's mind right before induction? You KNOW they are terrified. Hearing laughter and chit chat from your surgical team does NOT allay fears, but rather gives the pt the impression that they aren't taking the situation seriously. WE know that the surgeons/surgical team will be focused and serious during the case, but the pt can't possibly know that. Their only exposure to the team is when they are brought into the room. Yes, Versed helps, but I have seen many pts who are still wide awake after 2mg.

Ladicapricorn841 · Aug 29, 2011

1. you must be malleable. you have to be able to change your plan of action easily and efficiently. things change quickly in the or.
2. you must be knowledgeable of the procedure you are doing. it is always helpful to get your assignment the night before the next shift so that you can read up on pt hx, the procedure itself, and be prepared for what to expect regarding key steps in the procedure.
3. you must be confident. if you don't know something, don't be afraid to ask. but don't be a deer in the headlights if a surgeon asks for something and you have no idea what they are talking about. call or text page your manager to help you; that's what they are there for.
4. you must be assertive for your patient. you are their advocate and must be their voice when you see something that is concerning. for example, if the consent says i&d of left arm, and the surgeon looks at the right arm, sees a wound and wants to debride that one too, speak up.
5. you have to learn not to take snarkiness personally. sometimes things get pretty stressful in a hurry, and knowing that the yelling and expletives coming out of the surgeon's mouth at the speed of light is just their way of venting. is it appropriate? no, but life goes on. as long as they aren't telling you that you are too fat for your scrubs and that your kids are ugly, don't take their tantrums seriously.
6. you have to be super organized. the more organized and prepared you are, the more smoothly your case will run.
7. you have to know how to anticipate. if you are circulating, you have one eye on your charting and one on the sterile field. listening to the surgeons discuss the case while they are operating is key in anticipating their next request. if you are scrubbing, you should always have something in your hand, because you know by listening to the surgeons what their next step will be. don't ever take your focus off of the sterile field.
8. you have to be able to get along with people. even if you don't care for them otherwise, you still must set aside your personal feelings and get through the shift, because they are your teammates for the day.
9. know when to be quiet, and know when it is ok to make small talk. when the surgeon is dissecting down on an artery, that ain't the time to discuss what you did last weekend, for example. the or is a fun place to work, but there are 'unwritten rules' that should be followed-and this is a big one.
10. understand and know how to implement a sense of urgency. don't go to pieces when something goes wrong...remain calm and think through what you would do if you were operating. this mindset will become valuable to you and will help you anticipate what to do. for example, the surgeon just hit a vessel. there is blood pumping out, and the surgeon can't see where the cut vessel is. you would suction, right? then you would want to ligate the vessel. have a stick tie or a hemostat close at hand.
the or is such a fun place to work. once you get the gist of it and become comfortable and confident, you will fall completely in love.

awesome advice!!! i want to get into or nursing as well and any advice i can get i will take!!!! :yeah:

michele742 · Sep 4, 2011

Uh oh...the part about having a good bladder scares me...lol! I too am wanting to eventually land in the OR. I don't necessarily have to have a toilet nearby but what do you do if you HAVE to go during a case? Funny how that one thing kinda jumped out at me :)

NurseSnarky · Sep 5, 2011

Uh oh...the part about having a good bladder scares me...lol! I too am wanting to eventually land in the OR. I don't necessarily have to have a toilet nearby but what do you do if you HAVE to go during a case? Funny how that one thing kinda jumped out at me :)

You tell the charge or ask a coworker if they can get you out to go. Many (not where I work) have two circulators to a room and you can run to the bathroom if needed. Now not so easy if you're the only OR nurse around. I've worked late where only the recovery room nurses were in the building and they know zilch about the OR...so that was a moment that I would just have to wait. Usually we get a break before the last OR nurse would leave so it's really no issue. I honestly had the worst time getting to the bathroom as a tele nurse. Loooong 12hr shifts with only one or two pit stops.

LuvScrubs2, BSN, RN · Sep 10, 2011

WoW grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrt info...... :cool:

OR/GI Nurse Lisa · Sep 19, 2011

Hi all, I'm a newly licensed nurse and was wondering what characteristics you think make a good OR nurse. The reason I ask is because I only recently started to think about which specialty areas I want to get into, down the road. Also I hear that starting out as a dialysis nurse is not recommended for new grads. Any advice or information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Need to be strong willed ( some surgeon's can be arrogant). Don't let them get to you. Also, good with technology, have to be quick! If is a scrub /surgeon asks for something they need it fast!