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A STUDENT'S LOOK AT OR
apprehension. Programmed instruction and role playing are two ways which I found to be useful. When the student is comfortable in the setting, it is far less difficult for learning to take place. The OR is one of the best situations in which to learn team nursing, to see it in action and to be a working member of the team. In order to learn team nursing, the student must be part of the team. Observation has its place, but direct involvement with other disciplines and other teammates is vital. Because of this,
it is important that the student participate in both the scrubbing and circulating.
As an instructor, I recognize the need for continuing to include OR Nursing in the student curriculum. The student needs to be accepted as a member of the team. The performance of technical skills before confrontation with the actual operative procedure, is important to the student. Involvement, rather than observation is a necessary part of learning.
A STUDENT’S LOOK AT OR Dorene Brennon
Dorene Brennon
How can I ever function as an OR nurse in five short weeks? This question kept entering my mind during the first week of my OR experience. I suppose it was my reaction to my feeling of frustration and confusion after observing my first “routine cholecystectomy.” As I watched, I considered what some call routine, a major surgical procedure. As the patient was moved to the Recovery Room, I was ready to take off for the Exit sign which led into the peaceful sanctum of baths and pills. I could not understand how anyone expected me to scrub in a few days. I felt that
March 1970
was most unfair and inhuman. By the end of the first week, I began to realize my purpose and goal in the OR nursing experience. By fulfilling my purpose and goals, I would make the most of the varied experiences offered to me. I know now, after five weeks, I was not expected to become a professional scrub or circulating nurse. In working with the team members, I acquired the basic skills of OR nursing which will only become polished through months and years of practice. But not until I was in the OR, did I come to the realization and true importance of sterile technique for the patient and the team. One of the many marvels of the OR was how differently the gall bladder and kidney looked in the human body from the text book image. During exploratory surgery, I stared at an odd-looking, hooked-like organ hanging onto the end of a large intestine. It kept bugging me until I realized it was an appendix. I feel I have more understanding and knowledge to deal with post-operative care. I
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have learned the importance and purpose of deep breathing and coughing exercise, the need of movement post-operatively, and the need of effective communication between team members and the surgical floor. Through the team members in OR, I have learned the importance of working as a team. I have experienced the feeling of accomplishment while working as a team member with
one goal in mind-the successful performance of surgery for this patient. As I write this, I wonder why I asked the question “How can I ever function as an OR nurse in five short weeks.” I feel now that I have gained much knowledge, tied many loose ends in my education, and experienced many satisfactory moments which will contribute to my further training as a Student Nurse.
ANXIETY, AN EMOTION COMMON TO BOTH PATIENT AND STUDENT NURSE Connie Laundrie
Most nurses are prepared to deal with the many worries of an anxious pre-operative patient. “Anxiety is one of several natural responses to illness,” and is a common experience. Through observation nurses learn to recognize anxiety and through experience are better adept at helping patients cope with this emotion. As a student nurse in surgery I found myself face to face with the same emotionfear. This situation is similar to what the patient sees in a hospital. A threat to his security, in unfamiliar surroundings filled with strange people and procedures. This is how surgery first appeared to me. After one week of orientation, I scrubbed for a major case. During that experience I gained insight into surgery, the operating room personnel, and myself. I knew I would have to learn to control many of the emotions I felt that day. “Strong emotions affect health, motor skills,
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Connie Luundrie
reason and judgement.” They must be controlled. As mature people we can regulate our emotions so they do not cause harm to ourselves or others. Emotions directed into the right channels lead to the highest form of achievement. O’Hara and Reith gave four essential ways of controlling emotions: 1) Controlling the imagination: I learned that surgery was different from the Ben Casey and Dr. Kildare I used to watch on TV.
AORN Journal
it is important that the student participate in both the scrubbing and circulating.
As an instructor, I recognize the need for continuing to include OR Nursing in the student curriculum. The student needs to be accepted as a member of the team. The performance of technical skills before confrontation with the actual operative procedure, is important to the student. Involvement, rather than observation is a necessary part of learning.
A STUDENT’S LOOK AT OR Dorene Brennon
Dorene Brennon
How can I ever function as an OR nurse in five short weeks? This question kept entering my mind during the first week of my OR experience. I suppose it was my reaction to my feeling of frustration and confusion after observing my first “routine cholecystectomy.” As I watched, I considered what some call routine, a major surgical procedure. As the patient was moved to the Recovery Room, I was ready to take off for the Exit sign which led into the peaceful sanctum of baths and pills. I could not understand how anyone expected me to scrub in a few days. I felt that
March 1970
was most unfair and inhuman. By the end of the first week, I began to realize my purpose and goal in the OR nursing experience. By fulfilling my purpose and goals, I would make the most of the varied experiences offered to me. I know now, after five weeks, I was not expected to become a professional scrub or circulating nurse. In working with the team members, I acquired the basic skills of OR nursing which will only become polished through months and years of practice. But not until I was in the OR, did I come to the realization and true importance of sterile technique for the patient and the team. One of the many marvels of the OR was how differently the gall bladder and kidney looked in the human body from the text book image. During exploratory surgery, I stared at an odd-looking, hooked-like organ hanging onto the end of a large intestine. It kept bugging me until I realized it was an appendix. I feel I have more understanding and knowledge to deal with post-operative care. I
75
have learned the importance and purpose of deep breathing and coughing exercise, the need of movement post-operatively, and the need of effective communication between team members and the surgical floor. Through the team members in OR, I have learned the importance of working as a team. I have experienced the feeling of accomplishment while working as a team member with
one goal in mind-the successful performance of surgery for this patient. As I write this, I wonder why I asked the question “How can I ever function as an OR nurse in five short weeks.” I feel now that I have gained much knowledge, tied many loose ends in my education, and experienced many satisfactory moments which will contribute to my further training as a Student Nurse.
ANXIETY, AN EMOTION COMMON TO BOTH PATIENT AND STUDENT NURSE Connie Laundrie
Most nurses are prepared to deal with the many worries of an anxious pre-operative patient. “Anxiety is one of several natural responses to illness,” and is a common experience. Through observation nurses learn to recognize anxiety and through experience are better adept at helping patients cope with this emotion. As a student nurse in surgery I found myself face to face with the same emotionfear. This situation is similar to what the patient sees in a hospital. A threat to his security, in unfamiliar surroundings filled with strange people and procedures. This is how surgery first appeared to me. After one week of orientation, I scrubbed for a major case. During that experience I gained insight into surgery, the operating room personnel, and myself. I knew I would have to learn to control many of the emotions I felt that day. “Strong emotions affect health, motor skills,
76
Connie Luundrie
reason and judgement.” They must be controlled. As mature people we can regulate our emotions so they do not cause harm to ourselves or others. Emotions directed into the right channels lead to the highest form of achievement. O’Hara and Reith gave four essential ways of controlling emotions: 1) Controlling the imagination: I learned that surgery was different from the Ben Casey and Dr. Kildare I used to watch on TV.
AORN Journal