Are you considering becoming an OR Nurse but unsure exactly what it entails? Let’s dive in to figure out if OR nursing is right for you!
What is OR Nursing?
OR stands for Operating Room Nursing. These nurses work both in the hospital as inpatient nurses, as well as at various clinics outside of the hospital, known as outpatient clinics. OR nurses typically see specific types of patients depending on what specialty doctor they work for or with. For example, if you are working at an outpatient clinic with an orthopedic surgeon, you are going to see otherwise healthy patients who have broken a bone or need repair. You will likely be assisting in total knee and hip replacements. If you are working as an OR nurse in a hospital, you will likely be working with multiple doctors and therefore see a wider variety of patients. Including car accidents and trauma patients.
Patient Load
As an OR nurse, you are going to be assisting the surgeon with one patient at a time. You may see multiple patients a shift, depending on where you work, but you will be treating them each individually.
The only time you may have more than one patient in the operating room is if the patient is a pregnant mother needing a cesarean birth, aka a C-section. Then, as a Labor and Delivery Nurse working in the OR, you would be caring for both mother and baby. However there would likely be a NICU nurse there as well to take over the care of the baby once they are born.
OR Nurse Job Description
There are two different types of OR Nurses, the first being a scrub nurse. The scrub nurse actually scrubs in with the doctor and assists in handing them specific instruments the doctor has requested.
The second type of OR Nurse is the circulating nurse. The circulating nurse does not actually scrub in, however they do most of the documentation and prep for the surgery. Including placing a foley if necessary, cleaning the surgical site, and documenting tools used (such as sharps and lap sponges). Circulating nurses help ensure the sterile field is not broken at any point during the procedure. They are the ones who get the patient ready for surgery and then give report back to the post-operative nurse.
OR Nurse Skills
OR nurses have a special skill set. They know how to insert IV’s, as every surgical patient is going to need one, and maintain the sterile field. They also frequently insert Foleys, or catheters, for longer procedures. OR nurses are able to prep the patient for surgery by cleaning the operating site prior to surgery. They help answer patients’ questions and calm their nerves prior to the procedure. Operating room nurses are also able to assist in codes as needed.
OR Nurse Salary
Operating Room Nurses pay varies by state, location, and hospital. According to ZipRecruiter, OR Nurses in California on average make about $34.41 per hour, equating to $71,573 per year. Nationally, OR nurses make about $76,289 per year.
So, What Makes a Good Operating Room Nurse?
A good OR nurse is someone who likes to work in a team setting as they are almost always going to be working with another nurse, surgical tech, at least one surgeon, and an anesthesiologist. Operating room nurses are quick paced during the prep of the patient. They are also good communicators and need to be comfortable speaking with the doctors. OR nurses are detail oriented and are constantly monitoring the sterile field.
Do you want to be an Operating Room Nurse? Comment below!
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