What do OR nurses do on a day to day basis?

[chrisg0705]

Hi,

I interviewed for an OR position yesterday, and would like to know what a circulating nurse does on a day to day basis. What situations would require critical thinking (examples) and how about time management? If you could tell me more about what it is like in the OR that would be great. I asked the interviewer (unit educator) if I could "shadow" for a couple of shifts and she seemed shocked, that has me a little worried.

I had a tele/gero position for six months and was miserable. I don't want to make another big mistake.

Thanks! Chris

[brewerpaul]

Why the heck would she be shocked? That's a perfectly excellent question! Ask again and tell her why you want to shadow.

Time management is a biggie. Especially at the beginning and end of a case there 1001 one things that need to be done ALLATONCE. Or so it seems anyway. Your tech will be asking for things, you have to help the anesthesiologist/CRNA,think about your charting, hook up suction,cautery,scopes,cameras, pull meds from the PYXIS, think about your charting, do counts of instruments, sponges etc, help gown the surgeons (sheesh-- why the heck am I doing this job???).

At first you'll be overwhelmed (be warned!) but in time you'll learn which things need to be done NOW and which can wait until the case is underway. You also may need to think ahead and call x-ray as needed, give the lab a heads up that a frozen section is coming down,make sure antibiotic flushes for the NEXT case have been ordered, make sure special equipment for TOMORROW's cases will be available. There is a lot to consider, but with time it all falls into a sort of rhythm and starts to make sense. That's when it begins to be FUN.

I find that my critical thinking comes in more before the case starts,usually when I interview the patient and review their chart-- does their medical history suggest that they might require special care:a frail old patient might need extra warm blankets for example. Do all of their lab results make sense? Do any of them suggest that the patient might have special risks? Does the patient seem like he/she understands you clearly and if not might this suggest that they will need extra post-operative care teaching?

Some people will tell you that circulating is not really nursing, but that's a load of bull. Use ALL of your skills and you'll make out just fine. Besides, if you miss floor nursing, take hope; you even get to wipe a butt now and again in the OR! ;-)

[GadgetRN71, ASN, RN]

:yeahthat: