My First Clinical Rotation Outside Of 5w

On my first clinical rotation outside of 5w, in the Roanoke Memorial Hospital, I had the pleasure of visiting the OR. My last week of clinical rotation, I got the opportunity to witness two different cases. I saw a hemorrhoidectomy, and a Laparoscopic colectomy. Although I only had an opportunity of witnessing the hemorrhoidectomy in the middle of the procedure, both procedures were quite invasive. There were both very interesting to watch.

The collaborative team did a great job interacting during both cases. They were very professional, and respectful to one another. Each member of the team played a significant part in each procedure.

The first procedure, hemorrhoidectomy, which is the removal of hemorrhoids, the OR nurse was a traveling nurse from Alabama. In the preoperative role, his were to prep the site, administer any medication if needed, insert any catherization needed, chart the patients’ status or changes, and get other supplies, if needed. In the preoperative check list, the scrub team counted out the inventory for the supplies. The OR nurse documented what was opened. During the preoperative observation, the patients When the patient arrived in the room, the nurse identified the patient, and made sure she knew what procedure was ready to take place. He then helped the CRNA place the patient on the bed.

There were two scrub technicians. They prepared a clean and sterile field, before each case, dressed up in the ppe, and followed surgical asepsis precautions. Their main job while doing the procedure was to provide the surgeon with the materials in which were needed in an appropriate time manner. Before the surgery took place, the ST received a card of what type of supplies were needed, by the surgeon. When the surg...

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...ischarged, until the patient gains bowel function. This time may vary. Most patients are normally on a fluid restricted diet, until there intestines are fully recovered from the surgery. (Mayo Clinic, 2012)

This was a great experience for me in my junior year. I had never been in an OR setting, nor did I have any knowledge of how the collaborative team worked together. I also didn’t know the role of an OR nurse, which was a great addition to my education of nursing student. Being able to observe this task, I can now say that I have watched two surgical procedures being done, which is very critical in my career path as a nurse. Now that I have had the chance to watch these procedures, an OR nurse is a position that I may consider my future, as a nurse.

"What You Can Expect." Tests and Procedure’s Colectomy. Mayo Clinic, 3 Nov. 2012. Web. 16 Sept. 2015.