Challenges Of Working As An Operating Room Nurse

• Priya Poudel

Working in an operating room presents its share of difficulties, as do all occupations. Finding methods to push ourselves helps us stay engaged in our work and gives us the drive to keep things exciting and new, therefore it's crucial to do so.

Theatre nursing is a unique and difficult profession that calls for a variety of talents and the ability to remain calm under pressure. It also involves working with patients at their most vulnerable moment.

Operating room nursing is a physically demanding profession that requires standing for extended periods, lifting heavy instrument trays, and transporting enormous equipment. Numerous heavy instruments are required for various surgical procedures.

The length of surgical procedures might vary, although standing for extended periods is frequently necessary. Except for their lunch break, nurses who scrub into surgery for assistance must stand for the whole of their shift.

The surgical team members are required to wear bulky lead aprons during operations where radiation is used to take images. The strain on the neck, back, and shoulders from wearing these aprons can be physically exhausting.

Everyday’s surgical diversity might be demanding for nurses who work in multiple specialties. Gaining expertise in different specialties allows nurses to feel more confident when they are assigned to a specialty with which they are unfamiliar.

As surgical procedures advance, new equipment is introduced into the operating room. Nurses must become acquainted with safety functions, including what they are used for, what supplies are required, and how to resolve problems.

The Surgeons' Preference

The optimal outcome for the patient is achieved through firm collaboration between operating room nurses and surgeons. The preferences of a surgeon for every procedure must be known by operating room nurses. Nurses must continue to be precise and committed to learning the specific surgical procedures for each surgeon they assist.

Performing effective procedures can be stressful, and tempers sometimes flare up. The patient's life or death may depend on the outcome of the procedure, therefore pleasant interaction may be overlooked. When a patient is not doing well and the surgeon is trying everything they can to preserve the patient's life, the atmosphere can get highly tense. It is frequently necessary for nurses to understand what emergency tools, supplies, or equipment are required to provide the best care.

Some surgeons may be more precise about their choices for each surgical item. In any workplace, some are easy to get along with, and those who make things unpleasant. The most excellent way to lessen the likelihood of stress in the operation theatre is to attempt to understand what each surgeon wants.

Surgeons want to know that their staff fully understands the necessity of having the right supplies to guarantee a flawless treatment as it has direct impact on a patient’s life.

Operating room’s interdependent team depends on one another at various stages of the planning process. The scrub establishes the sterile field and identifies which supplies and instruments are required to execute the surgery. The nurse is in charge of bringing in equipment, acquiring missing supplies, managing medications, and examining the patient's paperwork ahead of time. Collaboration as a team is one of the most important, yet challenging, aspects of ensuring a successful surgery, reduced tension, and constructive communication.

Overall

While the OR is an exciting place to work, various hurdles can make the profession physically exhausting. Despite the obstacles of working in the operating room, people who appreciate working in surgery will continue to enjoy their nursing specialty.

One advantage of working in an operating room is that you never stop learning. Operating room  continually offers learning new skills on the job.