What attributes do you need as a OR nurse

[dinhm17]

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.

[jeckrn, BSN, RN]

attention to detail, almost being anal.

[katiebear]

This is all really interesting information! :) I'm just in my first semester, but you know it's on all of our minds what we want to do somewhere down the road. OR sounds like it could fit me pretty well, except I'll have to get over getting yelled at. If I really try, I don't take things personally, but I have my days where the world is totally out to get me and I'll fight back.

Wouldn't it be nice if there was a personality test that fit you to a specialty, like the ones you can take in the military to see where you'd fit best?

[michele742]

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.

I totally figured out a solution to a long surgery :) Or, if one has bladder issues but wants to work in the OR anyway...what about "Depends?" Hey, I know it might seem strange, but I would TOTALLY be sporting one if I thought that it was going to be a long surgery and I couldn't hold out. Has anyone ever tried this approach?

[MJB2010]

Thank you for all the tips. I am paying attention as I have always been interested in the OR and hope to get there someday.

Any courses I could take in the meantime that would help prepare me? I looked into Surgical Tech courses but they are very expensive and I am already working as an RN. I have been interested in the OR since the first obervation in nursing school.