What do you carry in your pockets?

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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.

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:

Specializes in O.R., ED, M/S.

Couple of pens and my pager and that is it.

Hey TallBlondie-- could you post pics of that OR apron? I've been thinking of having something like that made, but it can't look too gay... we guys have enough stereotype to overcome!;) Maybe I could get a Sears carpenter's tool belt to carry my OR goodies, like Tim the toolman :lol2:
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Specializes in or/trauma/teaching/geriatrics.

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

Specializes in trauma, ortho, burns, plastic surgery.

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

In my shirt pocket, I like to keep at least 3 pens and some cards from the gowns for notes.

I keep scissors, my day planner, chapstick, tape and gum at my waist.

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.

TallBlondie, Thanks for the pic!

I only carry a pen, schedule, and some paper to transfer new notes to my notebook (I keep it in my locker most the time and add to it later. I only get it out when needed). Listen scissors are "everywhere" around here.

Specializes in Emergency surgery (OR) anaesthesia traum.

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

Bandage scissors, 1-inch tape, pen, old gown turn cards to write notes on. Whenever I spin someone who just put on their gown, I put the card in my pocket. I have about 30 in my locker. :)

Taped to my ID badge is a cheat sheet with hospital phone numbers and staff names.

I carry a couple of pens,marker,scissors,and of course my surgicel! My preceptor gave it to me as a "gift" my first day on the job and I'm never with out a piece.

Hmm, I would worry about contaminating surgicel if I kept it in my pocket all day. I sweat a lot when working hard.

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