What do you like about being an OR nurse??

[usnwbama]

I have been an RN for just over a year...working on a pediatric med/surg unit. I'm now looking for a change and am really considering the OR. I would love to hear why you all chose the OR and what you like about it...Thanks!

[linda2097]

I have been an RN for just over a year...working on a pediatric med/surg unit. I'm now looking for a change and am really considering the OR. I would love to hear why you all chose the OR and what you like about it...Thanks!

PROS:

1. You have only one patient at a time.

2. No family is allowed in the O.R.

3. Patients are sedated or unconscious so you don't have difficult patients.

4. Very few code browns.

5. You almost always get full breaks.

CONS:

1. Many surgeons are arrogant cold bastards.

2. You will have to take call.

3. You are more exposed to body fluids and needlesticks.

4. You will often have to run around like a chicken without a head in an attempt to keep up.

5. There is a TON of things to learn in the O.R. and it will probably take years for you to become comfortable.

6. You will be exposed to a lot more x-radiation.

[DeLynn, RN]

likes:

1. one patient at a time

2. one patient at a time

3. that one patient is asleep most of the time(didn't mind awake patients when I had enough time to care for them)

4. get to see cool stuff

5. don't hear call bells in my sleep any more

6. all ways get our breaks

dislikes:

1. mean/annoying surgeons (this is getting better the longer i'm in the O.R., learning not to take it personally)

2.the mountain of information to learn for all the cases

[MamaCheese]

I've been in the OR for a year and a half now and am loving it more every day. The learning curve is HUGE but it's getting better by the day.

Pros:

1. one patient at a time

2. not having to deal with family members

3. the relationships you forge with your other team members

4. no call bells

5. not having to work many weekends/holidays

6. getting your full break & lunch most days

Cons:

1. the arrogance of some surgeons

2. the anxiety you feel while learning new procedures/services

3. dealing with team members that don't want to pull their weight

4. getting a crappy room assignment

[mimimartina]

Hi, I'm really interested in the O.R. (student right now),,,but after observing (for only one day) , I never saw the circulator giving any meds. It was mentioned above that fingersticks are more probable,,how so,,,,do you guys give meds?

[GadgetRN71, ASN, RN]

We give meds. Usually it's mixing bacitracin and giving it to the scrub for irragation, mixing heparin, giving local to the tech at the field who then gives it to the surgeon.

My likes: one patient

no family members allowed!

surgery is very interesting

you become close with your coworkers and most of the docs

98% of the time, we get all of our meals and 15 minute breaks

instant gratification-you get to see almost immediately how you've helped that patient.

lots of opportunity for overtime, even in this economy(ie call)

dislikes: cranky surgeons, but you'd be surprised how many back down once you give it back to them

sometimes you deal with those who think circulating is "no big deal". It is lots of responsibility.

I think the liklihood for needlesticks is greater when you scrub...honestly, I've seen more people get sprayed in the face/eyes. Therefore, I always wear eye protection, when circulating and while scrubbing.

[linda2097]

I think the liklihood for needlesticks is greater when you scrub...honestly, I've seen more people get sprayed in the face/eyes. Therefore, I always wear eye protection, when circulating and while scrubbing.

Me too. It amazes me that most circulators do not wear eye protection.

[fracturenurse]

My good friend just got sprayed in the eyes when she was circulating a shoulder arthroscopy. Surgeon pulled the scope out and squirted her...

I should wear eye protection more, usually only in a case where we are using the simpulse or such...I have to be more diligent.

[linda2097]

My good friend just got sprayed in the eyes when she was circulating a shoulder arthroscopy. Surgeon pulled the scope out and squirted her...

I too got used saline in my eye during an arthroscopy. I was pulling the outflow tubing out of a kick bucket and a few drops splashed into my eye. Now I wear goggles on a string around my neck and put them on during any case right after incision.

Even a simple case is dangerous. You could get a drop of blood in your eye while putting raytecs into a sponge counter for example.

[ghorjus_hunk]

nice post!

some people think of OR nurses, are below-average compared to "other nurses" because all we do is assist. we only handle 1 (or probably 2 for the circulating). we dont do any nursing procedures (not that much)... and more other reasons.. the only advantage we have is familiarity procedures and instruments...

i wish these people could be given the chance to "multi-task" in the OR for even a few weeks...