My very first post when I started this blog was called “10 Things I Learned in the Operating Room.“ It probably wasn’t my most well-written post – I’ve learned so much since I started this blog 3 years ago. But, with the anniversary of The Circulating Life approaching, I thought it would be fun to revisit that topic and look at 10 more things I learned in the OR. But when I wrote the list, I had 11 and I couldn’t cut anything out! So today we have 11 more things I learned in the OR.

I’m sure that you can relate to some of these…

#11. Everything is clean or contaminated.

Everything. All the time. Everywhere you go. You pay really close attention to the way fast food people wear gloves and NEVER CHANGE THEM and it grosses you out.

#10. Policies can change overnight.

Remember the bouffants we had to wear over our cloth hats? Yeah, we don’t have to do that anymore. Shoot, with everything in such short supply right now, you can wear a cloth hat, wear a shoe cover, or even try a beard cover – just cover your hair and you’re good. We’ve seen all sorts of changes thanks to the pandemic… Yet, prior to the pandemic, rules could change pretty quickly, too. So just be flexible doing things one way today, and then completely different next week.

#9. We will always be short staffed.

Do I even need to say more on this one? It goes in cycles, but it always seems like right about the time you finally have all the spots filled, someone else leaves and it starts all over again.

#8. There are no secrets.

Everyone in the OR knows everyone else’s business, and they all seem to like it that way.

#7. You will be judged if you call in.

Rightly or wrongly, people are going to make assumptions. And in a department that is constantly running short on staff (#9, remember?), no one likes to get stuck late because Sick Sandy called in – again. Yes, we all get sick, but not every time we’re scheduled to work late… Also, it *might* be a good idea to avoid posting about the awesome day you’re having when you call in, ok?

#6. Snow days do not exist.

This hits a little closer to home lately given all of the strange weather we’ve had in America this winter but, at some point, you will spend the night at the hospital so that you can cover your shift the next day. The alternative is driving to work in ice or a blizzard, but you’re still expected to be at work. And, I can promise you that all of the boob jobs and tummy tucks on the schedule will find a way to get to hospital to have their surgeries done. They always do.

#5. Always grab an extra – of everything.

Never run to central supply and just grab one of anything. Inevitably you’ll drop it when you open it, or the surgeon will decide they want another, so be prepared and grab extra.

#4. The Boardrunner is the boss.

Sure, the director is in charge of the department, but it’s the boardrunner who calls the shots. They keep things running smoothly while putting out fires and juggling staff, surgeons, leadership, and other departments. And let’s just assume that all of those groups are mad at them, too… It’s a hard, thankless job, but for those that do it well, their OR’s are better off for having them.

#3. Surgery postings are full of wasted potential.

In my hospital, our surgeons have a comment section for their postings. Some surgeons make the most of them and you know what they want for their cases. Others, though? It’s a complete shot in the dark. Which vendor? Do you need C-arm or a microscope? Is this case lateral or supine? So many little things that could have been clearly communicated that would make our days run smoothly, but instead we’re left guessing, running, and trying to avoid a delay.

#2. A good scrub makes everything better.

They know what they need. They know what you need. And they will save your ass time and time again, because they’re awesome like that. Always listen to your scrub, they know what they’re talking about.

#1. Everyone needs their work wife.

We all have that one person who saves the day, who helps us out, who checks to make sure we’ve gotten a bathroom break, and listens as we vent when something goes wrong. We need our friends. Without them, work just wouldn’t be the same, and we wouldn’t be able to survive our crazy shifts in the OR.

2021 marks 19 years that I’ve been a nurse and I’ve learned so many things in my career. By far, the most memorable lessons have come from the OR. And while this list isn’t all-inclusive, it’s definitely full of lessons that I’m reminded of every single day.

Can you relate to this list? What would you add?

Until next time,

Melanie

Read More:

1. 10 Things I Learned in the Operating Room
2. 12 Rules of the Operating Room

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