One of the best aspects of being an OR nurse is the teamwork. The OR team is like a well-oiled machine, with each member playing a crucial role in ensuring a successful outcome for the patient. This sense of collaboration is what drives me to be the best nurse I can be.
I also love the constant learning. Every surgery is different, and there’s always something new to learn, whether it’s about new technology, instruments, or surgical techniques.
What Does an Operating Room Nurse Do? An Inside Look at My Role
Working as an Operating Room (OR) Nurse is both exciting and demanding. As an OR nurse, my main responsibility is to ensure that surgeries go smoothly, patients are safe, and the surgical team is well-supported. In this post, I’ll walk you through a typical day in my life as an OR nurse, including what I do before, during, and after surgery.
Whether you’re a nursing student interested in the operating room, or just curious about what happens behind those doors, this post will give you a detailed look at the key aspects of my role.
1. Preparing the Operating Room
Every surgery begins with meticulous preparation, and this is where my day starts. As an OR nurse, it’s my job to make sure that everything in the operating room is ready. This involves:
- Setting up surgical instruments: All tools need to be sterilized and placed on the sterile tray in the correct order for the procedure.
- Organizing medical equipment: This ensures that everything the surgeon and team need during surgery is easily accessible.
- Checking for supplies: This includes ensuring that there are enough sterile gowns, gloves, drapes, and any specific items needed for the surgery.
Ensuring that the room is ready might seem like a straightforward task, but it is crucial to the success of the surgery. A well-prepared OR allows the surgical team to focus entirely on the patient without worrying about missing or misplaced tools.
Why Is This Step So Important?
Sterility is one of the most important aspects of surgery. Without proper sterile techniques, the risk of infection can increase significantly. As an OR nurse, I need to be hyper-aware of maintaining sterility, ensuring that everything is properly disinfected and handled according to strict protocols.
2. Assisting the Surgical Team During Surgery
Once the operating room is ready and the patient is prepped, the surgery begins. This is where my role becomes highly dynamic and fast-paced. My primary responsibility during surgery is to assist the surgical team. I act as the surgeon’s right hand, providing the instruments and materials they need to perform the procedure.
Some of the tasks I handle during surgery include:
- Passing instruments: I hand over surgical tools like scalpels, forceps, and retractors in a timely and precise manner. Timing is crucial, as a surgeon may need to react quickly.
- Monitoring the patient’s vital signs: Alongside the anesthesiologist, I ensure that the patient’s vital signs, such as heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels, remain stable.
- Maintaining a sterile field: It’s my job to make sure nothing contaminates the sterile area around the patient, which is critical to preventing infections.
3. Ensuring Patient Safety
Patient safety is my number one priority in the operating room. Before the surgery even starts, I take several steps to ensure the patient is in the best possible condition for the procedure:
- Verifying the patient’s identity: This includes cross-checking the patient’s details, medical history, and the type of surgery they are about to undergo.
- Positioning the patient correctly: Proper positioning on the operating table is vital to prevent injury during the procedure.
- Monitoring vital signs: Throughout the surgery, I continuously monitor the patient’s vitals to make sure they remain stable. If there’s any sudden change, I alert the surgeon immediately.
Why Is Patient Safety So Critical in the OR?
Even minor mistakes can have major consequences in the operating room. My role as an OR nurse is to minimize risksand make sure every detail is attended to. From preventing pressure sores during long surgeries to ensuring proper surgical counts (like instruments and sponges), my focus is always on patient well-being.
4. Post-Surgery Care
Once the surgery is complete, my job doesn’t end. After the patient is moved out of the operating room, I provide a handover to the recovery room nurses. This includes sharing details about the surgery, the patient’s condition, and any special instructions from the surgeon or anesthesiologist.
I also assist in cleaning and sterilizing the operating room, ensuring that it is ready for the next procedure. This involves re-sanitizing all surfaces, instruments, and equipment, as well as resetting the room for the next patient.
The Importance of Post-Surgery Handover
A well-executed handover ensures that the patient’s care continues seamlessly in the recovery room. It is my responsibility to ensure that all relevant information is communicated to the next team of healthcare professionals.
Why I Love Being an OR Nurse
Working in the operating room is intense, fast-paced, and sometimes stressful, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. Every day, I have the opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of patients. Whether it’s a routine surgery or a life-saving procedure, the work we do in the OR matters deeply.
One of the best aspects of being an OR nurse is the teamwork. The OR team is like a well-oiled machine, with each member playing a crucial role in ensuring a successful outcome for the patient. This sense of collaboration is what drives me to be the best nurse I can be.
I also love the constant learning. Every surgery is different, and there’s always something new to learn, whether it’s about new technology, instruments, or surgical techniques.
Being an Operating Room Nurse is an exciting and fulfilling career that requires attention to detail, quick thinking, and strong teamwork skills. From preparing the room to assisting during surgery and ensuring patient safety, my role is a vital part of the healthcare team.
If you’re a nursing student interested in specializing in the operating room, I hope this post gave you a clear and honest look at what to expect. The work is demanding, but the rewards of knowing that you’re directly contributing to saving lives make it all worthwhile.
