A U G U S T 2 0 1 9 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y. N E T • 1 1 5
T
here are nurses, and then there are operating room nurses,
those masked crusaders infused with a special blend of smarts,
savvy and strength to stand up for patients and to stand up to
surgeons. Surgical nurses are a breed apart. I can pick one out of a
crowd. In case there were ever a doubt, here are sure signs you're an
OR nurse.
• There are 2 pens and a pair of bandage scissors in the pocket of
whatever you're wearing.
• There's a box of disposable gloves and masks in your car console,
and an airway pocket face mask in the glove compartment.
• You wear gloves to change your baby grand-
daughter's diapers. You Purell even before
you glove up and after you glove down.
Then you have a panic attack while trying
to resist doing a 3-minute scrub.
• You think about turnover time when
the cars in front of you don't move the
instant the red light has turned green. "It
doesn't get any greener!"
• You gulp down food like it's your last
meal, which is a strong possibility work-
ing in the OR.
• Your mind goes to thinking about who
all sat before you with their soiled sweaty
scrubs in the nice massage chair that admin-
istration (bless their hearts) presented to your
department. Where are those Clorox Wipes?
You Might Be an OR Nurse If …
Sure signs that you work in surgery.
Behind Closed Doors
Paula Watkins, RN
