Registered Nurse (RN), Operating Room Reviews - Page 14

Stick with it , it will get better...

Nursing like teaching is a good job with stability, however the work is hard and you often work more than you should and care more than you should. Be sure that you want this job and are in it to make a difference and not just to make money or get rich.

My advice to new RN is keep current on medical knowledge but most of all take ownership. If it is your job do it to the best of your ability, seek advice when needed.

In theatre the most critical thing is sterility, in all respect your environment should be clean, instruments sterile and donning the appropriate attire to avoid infection, because infection is costly. It is critical to undertand the design of the operating rooms and the rational behind that. During orientation let the new RN to begin at the theatre sterilzation department to understand the cleaning process of instruments, different sterilization methods and the learning to know different names of instruments sets before they can start with the scrubbing and the assisting at oprations.

You have to be able to function in every capacity, be flexible. You are the gate-keeper. Prepare to work non-stop, feel under-appreciated at times. Very high stress environment. Most of the responsibility in the OR is on you. You do what you do for the patients and their family. Money cannot be your motivation.An advance degree is not rewarded unless you want to pursue management or other levels of nursing. You will get verbal recognition sometimes. Having the knowledge and skills gives you a feeling of accomplishment. Improve yourself and advance in your career.