Pros and Cons of Operating Room Nursing | Bella Unfiltered

[@BellaUnfiltered]

Did I encourage or discourage you?? 😂 Drop any questions down below and maybe I'll answer them in a (future) Q&A video 👀

[@erinnorwood6124]

Would you rather be an or nurse or surgeon or first assist? Why?

[@enricovicta]

Encouraged

[@alphiegarcia7264]

Are you a Filipina?

[@gabriellehooks3982]

I was a surgical dental assistant before starting nursing school and my favorite part was being apart of the surgery. Just today I got an offer as a OR nurse once I pass my NCLEX. I KNOW for a fact direct patient care and bed side nursing isn't for me and I am very excited for the opportunity!

[@nevusfrenzy]

Congratulations ❤

[@kymespinoza3170]

Are you happy with your decision to leave the dental world to go into the nursing field?

[@lucianguyen8068]

Can you do a video on your interviewing experience in the OR? Like common questions and what your answers were?

[@maiformary4556]

I’ve been an or nurse for 7 years and i still loving it.

[@katiedickinson7866]

Great video!! I have worked in the OR for 20 years and I think you did a very good job describing pros and cons. Some people thrive in high intensity environments. Like me. I love solving all the problems and the organized chaos!! Great video!! Welcome to the OR!!

[@BellaUnfiltered]

Thank you, I appreciate you! I'm glad you liked the video (:

[@georgeacenas2349]

The pros and cons are so helpful. Surgery reportedly is reportedly a high pressure intervention b/c longer a patient is open, survivability goes down. That maybe part of reason Orthopedists are like that. Orthopedics in England is interesting. NP was trained to do the knee replacement! It’s consistent with what you’re saying-sometimes Ortho is robotic. I hope you don’t mean Da Vinci…🤣

[@layray210]

You described OR nursing perfectly! The main difference for the OR I work in is that we are required to take call on weekdays, weekends, and holidays, but rotating through all the nurses. So it doesn't come around super often, but still a requirement for us. I'm assuming I work in a smaller facility than you do though, as we don't have set weekend staffing. I've been an OR nurse for 3 years and I love it sm!

[@bmona7550]

Thankfully I had OR experience in my nursing school. My school is outside the US although US accredited so we were able to physically assist and stuff. There is a lot to learn but It’s so cool. Just passed the boards and can’t wait. Thanks for the video 😊!!

[@BellaUnfiltered]

Congrats and good luck! 🍀

[@dgray3412]

With the critical thinking part i think you’re wrong. During my 1st months of a circulator i would of believed you but now over a year in now myself I think you can critically think if you’re familiar with a specialty. The OR nurses who don’t need a pick sheet are the ones that don’t run around the ones that need the pick sheet and do more task oriented things are the ones i find the run around lol. For example if I’m opening up for a HIP the first thing i need to know is that is this hip and anterior or posterior approach then that makes a difference on what bed i need and the positioning devices as well as the extras needed on the field and trays. If posterior i automatically need a lateral positioner with an Allen arm board , i need free needles or a suture passer on the field so they can repair the muscle after they made their posterior approach. Obviously there’s more to know such as having TXA for anesthesia do to blood loss in total joints having vancomycin on my field for infection and betadine off for irrigation but all this has to be seen and recognized quickly before they rush you to get the patient. If not then you’ll be running around being task oriented because you didn’t critically think. We lose our clinical pharmacological knowledge for sure but our procedural knowledge becomes so good that there’s days we’re it feels like no critically thinking because you know the case so well you literally be prepared to solve any issue before it happens or right away!

[@charcoalanderson8010]

Thanks so much for this awesome in depth answer!

[@Psalmsneil]

I agree with you. I think she only scrubs in or circulate with for those easy cases that doesn't need any critical thinking. However, if she was part of a cardiothoracic, Ortho Trauma cases and neuro emergencies, she would rethink the critical thinking part LOL

[@charcoalanderson8010]

@@Psalmsneil I've noticed a lot of, especially bedside, nurses don't respect or understand just how skilled OR nurses are. They don't "lose" their "nursing skills" going to OR from the floor or from school. Any skills used in the course of any nursing related job is inherently a nursing skill. OR nurses just gain a different specialized set of nursing skills. they still very much critically think (kinda important doing pre-op assessment and timeout),are badass advocates for their patients, and have to be absolute beasts at anticipating the needs of everyone around them to make sure things go safely and smoothly.

[@Psalmsneil]

@@charcoalanderson8010 hundred percent! And mostly the registrars rely on experienced Nurses in some of major decision making in the OR. The OR is a place were the room of error is so tiny and people is expected to have perfect decision making abilities. It’s such a different world of the health care industry and like what I said, it’s not for everyone.

[@justnursejen12]

They do the hospital scrubs too cause it’s more cost effective. We get dirty & have to change them often & they are cleaned & kept free from the outside stuff

[@saoirseart.portraits]

Hey bella, I jsut want to share this since I am currently on my review on taking NCLEX, I feel inspired to get back on track as a nurse again but now I really want to try working in the OR. Hopefully all this things I am starting now will going to workout soon.. Thanks for the video and create more content about being an OR nurse please....Thank you!!!!

[@BellaUnfiltered]

Thank you! And I'm happy to hear that :) good luck on your journey

[@amylynns35]

Thank you for sharing this.. pretty on point. As an OR nurse with experience you can incorporate those critical thinking skills more and more, it’s about trust and learning how to effectively communicate with your team AKA Surgeons. Great video

[@BellaUnfiltered]

I appreciate this comment 💗 thank you!!

[@boybisdak5730]

I love your video. I just hired in the OR after I got my license and I will start soon. I am bet nervous and at the same time excited to work in the OR. Your videos give me a good vibes.😊

[@BellaUnfiltered]

Thank you! :) and congratulations! Good luck 🍀🫶🏼

[@lindsaysmith4486]

Can you share some of the interview questions you had?

[@Avosmari]

Update?

[@ThaiXtina]

Week six on orientation and loving the OR! Love your videos! 😍

[@BellaUnfiltered]

Glad you’re loving it! Thanks so much! 😌

[@KandyKaneNails]

I just finished week one. 🤦🏽‍♀️it's alot to know and frustrating that we may not know it all by the end of orientation. How are you doing now?

[@ThaiXtina]

@@KandyKaneNails my initial preceptorship was five weeks long and it was the hardest part honestly. Especially being at a level I trauma center and being a new grad. We won't know everything by the end of orientation -- that's for sure -- but what's important about the OR is that you know your resources and know who to go to when you need help! I'm in my fourth month now and have so much more confidence and critical thinking than I ever thought I would. It gets better! Stick with it and give yourself grace. Easy to say, but I sound like you when I first started! You got this!

[@KandyKaneNails]

@@ThaiXtina Thankyou so much for your help and words of encouragement. I'm glad your doing well. 😃 I will update you on how it's going in a few months. 😉 Besafe and have a blessed day.

[@ThaiXtina]

@@KandyKaneNails Of course! You got this! Thank you for YOUR kind words. Yes, please let me know how you're doing. Make a little note of how you're feeling now and revisit that note in three months. You'll be surprised at how far you've come and all you know! 😘

[@kakefyll]

When you said task oriented I was like yeah talk dirty to me ❤😂

[@Voop12345]

Omg, I matched a lot with the pros! I accepted a job offer in the icu but I'm getting a little uncertain now 😬😬😬

[@wowiebaoie]

I couldn't agree more! Thank you for this!! :)

[@michaelumali4536]

you just made me decide to pursue OR nursing!! '

[@ladygadventures4144]

I have interview this coming Friday for Staff Nurse I OR department. I’m excited but nervous. Thanks for this video

[@BellaUnfiltered]

No problem! I hope everything worked out for you :)

[@CrystalC-k4j]

How do you remember all the supplies needed for the room for every type of surgery? Any tips on learning what to anticipate will be needed

[@Dailyshart]

Just like anything else: repetition. If you want to expedite your knowledge memorize the preference cards and watch how the experienced staff perform. Pick and choose what you like and then emulate and repeat. If you’re a new nurse I wouldn’t advise going right into the OR by ANY means.

[@itr0863]

im a new grad with 10 years experience as an ER tech. i'm debating on an ER or OR residency.

[@Dailyshart]

Stick with the ER. When you’re ready to retire go OR.

[@itr0863]

@@Dailyshart thank you!

[@yghietagos2348]

im a new grad and 2 months into my periop 101 to become a circulator. after only being with a specific doctor for 3-4 times you kind of anticipate what they want and need for specific cases: the positioning, medications, equipments, settings on the machine. you definitely could be an OR nurse as a new grad!! especially if you've had healthcare experience and can read the room. Im very attentive and observant naturally, so it is very helpful to have those traits in the OR. For me, the hardest thing i can see myself struggling with in the future is hearing what they are saying, (loud equipment, music playing) but other than that, you have lots of resources in the OR.

[@Dailyshart]

@@yghietagos2348 definitely not a good idea to start as a new grad in the OR unless one plans on retiring in the OR. The OR is not real nursing; it’s its own avenue/extremely specialized and the skills exercised in there aren’t really applicable anywhere else other than in a c-section in l&d. It behooves a new grad to solidify their nursing skills; in the OR you’re not really using the vast majority of those skills to which you aren’t even proficient at to begin with. Outside of clerical, positioning, prepping, foley insertions, hooking up stuff, specimen processing and counting-the circulator isn’t doing much; in fact they’re mainly facilitators -CSTII of 10 years, RNFA, CNOR, ICU/TELE

[@CaitHawkins]

Love your video, I too make OR nurse videos! Completely agree with your pro's and con's :)

[@BellaUnfiltered]

Thank you

[@CaitHawkins]

@@BellaUnfiltered thanks so much!!

[@enricovicta]

Salamat Bella!

[@larosenoirek2197]

I just applied. I am working in Endo we do pre op pacu and intra op. So I though this could be a good introduction to OR.

[@kaitieknipe4048]

Can staff who are on call stay at the hospital or a motel or something like that if they live farther from the hospital? Does the hospital pay for gas or mileage if someone gets called in?

[@pegz.3959]

OR provides the scrubs because they don't want you bringing in germs from home and the streets.

[@TrushaPatel-p8u]

I am graduating soon and really passionate about OR nursing, I have an interview next week in the residency program for the OR! Do you have any tips for the interview?

[@angelique00angelique]

How does the scheduling work with on-call? Do you get scheduled your 40 hours plus on-call hours or are some of your 40 hrs on-call? Also, are you 8, 10, or 12 hour shifts? Are there night shifts?

[@BellaUnfiltered]

40 hours of your regular shift hours plus on-call hours. I’ve done all 3 shifts and even longer sometimes (on-call) 😮‍💨 yes night shift is also an option

[@kscott101416able]

Hi! Great video! Quick question..What is the normal salary range for an OR nurse??

[@BellaUnfiltered]

Thank you! Answered this in a q&a portion of my most recent vlog :) Thanks for this question!

[@artsyclinicalguide]

Great video.

[@BellaUnfiltered]

Thank you!

[@yourstrulyX0]

What are you doing in between cases? Is it back to back busy work or is there down time?

[@Dailyshart]

Typically between cases you’re either running to bathroom or preparing for your next case. *** checking H&P, consent, labs, meds, availability of implants, blood products, etc.

[@SN-wd8be]

Do all big hospitals/facilities require on call for nurses after orientation?

[@Hksjdk]

I'll be starting my OR new grad in few weeks did your hospital allowed you to pick up extra shift? because I heard OR really doesn't allow them to pick up extra shift.

[@Dailyshart]

Not a good place to start as a new grad.

[@jayclark4222]

Do you know what surgery you'll be a part of like the day before? Or is it ultimately up to wherever they need you

[@BellaUnfiltered]

Answered this in a q&a portion of my most recent vlog :) Thanks for this question!

[@arib6423]

Wait until you have your first polytrauma or code blue in the OR and let me know how you handled it without using any critical thinking. Great video otherwise just trying to get a newbie’s perspective of the OR.

[@manniem2488]

Everyone who works in a hospital is CPR certified. Better to code in a hospital than on the street.

[@Dailyshart]

That’s really easy and convenient to say when you have a top mind at the helm (anesthesiologist or CRNA) as well as a whole plethora of professionals right there helping you. Code blues in the OR are not a common occurrence by any means on average. If that’s the only reference you can cite of an OR nurse using their critical thinking then you’re definitely short on examples, lol. OR nurses are more facilitators in the OR than anything. Outside of that they’re glorified MAs unless they can scrub- then they get props. 99% of the time, and I mean 99% of the time OR nursing doesn’t require any real critical thinking by any means.

[@veronicaeverington1279]

once you position and prepare the patient for surgery. Do you have to stay the whole time until the surgery is done? or do you have to go and get ready other patients?

[@mariekano9730]

you're in the room for the ENTIRE case. As a circulating RN you're job is to prep the room bring the pt in the room document and bring them out. You are NOT leaving that room. You can look at your schedule and research your next patient on the computer but thats it. You have to watch if anyone is breaking sterility if the doctor is going to make an error, you have to count the instruments make sure nothing is left in the patient, do a time out etc.

[@kodiak1294]

O.R. Nursing.. better when patients are asleep...

[@BellaUnfiltered]

@@kodiak1294 🤭🤭

[@rmb2626]

Hi. Just wanna ask about the cons, like prolonged standing during the operation. Do you have chairs to sit on? How long is the standing?

[@BellaUnfiltered]

As a scrub you stand for as long as the surgery is done. There are also cases where the surgical team sits on chairs/stools. For very long cases, depending on staffing and the hospital, you can request to have someone give you a quick break.

[@lynninusarn]

Hi, I am a new grad of nursing school and i am interested in OR. Is on-call required on every week or some ppl will be on call and some will not?

[@BellaUnfiltered]

Hi! You’ll be required to sign up for a certain number of on-call shifts in a month and you can choose the dates you’re available

[@lynninusarn]

@@BellaUnfiltered thank you so much!!! i just had a meet and greet with hr and i was told that in my hospital no on-call for a circulating nurse, unless i want to do open heart scrubing nurse.

[@Dailyshart]

Do not sell out and go right into the OR.

[@bettysmith4527]

LOL, the hospital providing scrubs has nothing to do with everyone looking the same, and everything to do with OR cleanliness.

[@lidapang7101]

Do you work as a circulate nurse or srucb nurse for the RN?

[@BellaUnfiltered]

Both (:

[@LeFleur80]

Would you recommened doing OR nursing as a newgrad ? Im conflicted😅

[@BellaUnfiltered]

A lot of places are still hiring new grads. It all depends on your interest in being in the OR since it’s very different than bedside or any other special units.

[@Dailyshart]

Absolutely DO NOT go to OR as a new grad. They use very little actual nursing skills and to be honest aren’t really respected outside the OR. OR nurses are basically facilitators. If you don’t have a good nursing foundation do not sell out and go right into the OR. Get a few years of bedside and perhaps critical care; OR is where you go when you want to retire.

[@IrrelevantReviewsAndComments]

If you can get in as a new grad, do it! Specialty areas are harder to get into, so if it's offered to you right off the bat, take it.

[@Seabass777333]

Thinking about going into the OR after graduation, is your hospital OR smoke free? I love everything the OR has to offer, but I’m just worried about the inhalation of smoke via the cautery pen. Do they have protection measures in place for this, also what about the radiation exposure from certain cases, do they have you wear a lead shield throughout the case?

[@BellaUnfiltered]

Answered these in a q&a portion of my most recent vlog :) Thanks for these questions!

[@ashleymartinez4433]

As far as smoke inhalation, some US states have passed a law regarding this making it mandatory to have smoke evacuators. If you go on AORN there is info on there too.

[@Tiyanaa]

Do you work with physician assistants in the OR?

[@bettysmith4527]

Physician assistants in the OR are usually working with/under their particular physician as a first assist during surgery, they do not have other roles in the OR generally speaking.

[@akitakeshi2829]

Hello po 🙂 I'm a nursing student planning on working in Canada via the postgraduate program route. Can I take the NCLEX immediately after graduating in college or can I only take it after my postgraduate program or should I still gro through NNAS? What are the procedures to be an OR nurse po after passing the NCLEX exam? Thank you po 🥰