First Day in the OR

Today was my first day in the OR and it was pretty much what I expected. I met my mentor "C" and her job is to relieve people for lunch since her shift is 11 AM to 7 PM. So we went around to different operating rooms and asked people if they wanted us to take over. The job of the nurse in the OR is to chart, get supplies for the tech and surgeon and basically just monitor everything that isn't sterile. We spent about thirty minutes on each case and would then rotate to the next room. The OR at the hospital has over 30 rooms so it is very large. It also has the new da Vinci robotic surgeries, a room just for Pediatric Surgery (I like this because it is so much warmer than other rooms!) and a ton of other high tech equipment. 

I was able to see a cheek tumor removed, a hysterectomy, a skin graft, chest tubes placed and a mastopexy (breast lift). The day went by really quickly because we moved so quickly from room to room. I think that I will like this rotation because the hours are pretty good (11-7) and it's very fast paced. However, I know that I would not want to be an OR nurse because there is no patient contact! But that's a benefit of this program, I have gotten to see what I love and what I wouldn't want to do!