Published
I read a similar thread in another forum. (First year nursing)
Just wanted to see what OR nurses are carrying in their pockets to get you through the case or day.
Schedule for the day/with room assignments
Trauma scissors
roll of tape
ink pen
permanent marker
alcohol preps x2
phone
( pager if I'm on call)
(my watch if I just prepped or scrubbed in)
ID badge
we do not have butt pockets at this hospital, but large snap up the front scrubs with 2 large pockets-one on each side. LUV them
What I caried in my pockets in OR...sooo:
Keys from everywere
Scissors for vials
Scissors trauma type
A little block notes...schedule for day, important notices
Pen (one black one red) an pencil
Tape
Elastic band for IV
My cell phone and some time surgeron's cell phone
My elastic band for hair
My cigarettes that time
I just got one of those ScrubPocs and after one week, I really like it. I wear it around my waist, under my scrub top. It's still pretty accessible, but out of the way and not likely to flop onto a sterile field.
One thing I keep in there is a couple of vials of Mastisol, which in case you don't use it is a dressing adhesive used to make Steri Strips stick better.
At the advice of one of my preceptors, I just bought an alphabet indexed blank book to make my own little OR referernce "encyclopedia". I'll add notes about how to set up certain machinery, where hard to find things are located, etc. I got this for about $10 at Barnes and Noble.
START OF SHIFT: two pens, scissors, pager and master key
END OF SHIFT: one pen (borrowed) scissors, fluffy tape, bits of scrap paper with various patient details, sweet wrappers, cardboard from gowns/packaging, cannula bungs, bowie dick test strips, ecg stickers, alcohol wipes, the odd glove, a leftover sweet (if im lucky)
a spare larygoscope blade has also been found on occasion.
By this time the pager has moved to my waistband and the key into my back pocket.
i keep the cardboard card, you know the one that comes off the gown during the
'spin'. very handy for phone messages, also being new to the OR i write down what the surgeon needs so when i run to get it, i don't forget what i was going for during my anxiety ridden state. i love it. it's also my little way to recycle as well, having a hard time with soooo much waste!!!! spent 3 months in a cambodian medical clinic where most of those things would be GOLD.
new to allnurses, love reading all your posts, they are so helpful to the new nurse. some of the abbrevations are new to me, but am enjoying myself so much. i go on EVERYDAY!!!!
love all you exp. OR nurses your my favorite breed of nurse...so cool, calm and SMART. keep the good advise coming
bonnie
ORSAVELIVES
10 Posts
I carry a pen, some paper clips to keep records together, my ID badge hands from my neck that clips to by scrub top neck V- attached to a lanyard. On my right side is my pager, Then I have 2 disposable kelly clamps, a pair of bandage scissors, a small roll of one inch plastic tape that fits on a large rep supplied safety pin. AND----my rings ALWAYS stay in my locker while I am at work....... Too many stories of lost rings by fellow co-workers. I also carry the phone when I am in charge..................(for whatever the dollar charge pay is worth)....................... :smilecoffeecup: