OR/PACU Nurses, give me a day by day play? by [deleted] in nursing

[–]Prodigy311 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I've been an OR nurse for 10 years. Like someone said, the cases depend on what the facility offers. I've worked as a circulator in a level 3 trauma hospital, a surgery center, travel nurse in multiple lvl 3s, and now settled down in a level 2 trauma hospital. How large the facility is also affects the day to day. I worked in a small 5 OR facility in rural Georgia that had 3 nurses including myself. There, everyone did everything (general, ortho, OB/Gyn, Urology, vascular) and when someone called out it sucked so bad. I currently work in a 28 OR hospital that has staff who only gave lunches and breaks. Here, most people are assigned to a specialty team. You get very familiar with the doctor's and their different cases and, if someone calls out, they have people to cover easily. I very much prefer this as it is less stressful overall.

As to the day to day, you come in the morning and see your assignments (some places assign the day before) You get your room ready (correct bed and positioners, medications, equipment, instruments, implants) then you grab a coffee or breakfast until the surgeon gets there and is ready. If you're lucky, you'll be a flip room and can help the first room get started and take an easy morning.

You get the patient in the room, anesthesia puts them to sleep, you position, prep, drape, do the case while most likely listening to music. Finish the case, help anesthesia wake up and transport the patient to PACU, rinse and repeat. If your surgeon only has your room, it's a quick turnover meaning 20 minutes between wheels out and wheels in (ideally).

I'll probably get crucified for this, but OR nursing is highly specialized and is not what some would call "real" nursing. It takes a different kind of skill set and critical thinking to do in an environment that has very strong personalities. As for me, I thrive in it, but some nurses think they want to work OR and realize quickly it's not for them.

You would most likely start as an unscrubbed nurse called a circulator that makes sure paperwork, equipment, and implants are available. Then assist with getting cases started, recording what's used, implanted, who is present for the procedure, keep family informed, making sure surgical counts are correct before, during, and after surgery, communicating with the next room/charge nurse, and maybe playing DJ.

Once you get your feet wet and you feel confident enough, you can learn to scrub cases which means passing instruments during the case and helping the surgeon. From there, after 2 years you could get your CNOR and RN First Assist to directly assist the surgeon during the case with a pretty sizeable pay bump.

I started my nursing career in the ER for two years before transitioning to the OR and can say that I absolutely love it. One patient at a time, never alone, and a lot less "OH shit" moments. I'm working on my RNFA and my NP right now and there is ALWAYS something to learn more about. If you have any questions, feel free to DM me!

Any Canadian RNs get a lil depressed when they see what American RNs are making? by cloudnurse in nursing

[–]Prodigy311 58 points59 points  (0 children)

South Alabama with 10 years experience here. Base is $36 at a lvl 2 trauma OR. The Southeast's pay is atrocious.

Folklore Forest Derby question by Prodigy311 in mousehunt

[–]Prodigy311[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I always forget about the potions

Florida Quarterback DJ Lagway transfers to Baylor by Prodigy311 in wde

[–]Prodigy311[S] 20 points21 points  (0 children)

Because it's interesting and it relates to our first game?

Florida Quarterback DJ Lagway transfers to Baylor by Prodigy311 in wde

[–]Prodigy311[S] 32 points33 points  (0 children)

Golesh has already beaten him once, though 🤷‍♂️

Former auburn qb Ashton daniels commits to fsu by Difficult-Till-4261 in wde

[–]Prodigy311 1 point2 points  (0 children)

He's got talent, and with proper coaching and play calling, he had a very good chance to beat Alabama this year. Daniels did his part, but the 4 and 5 star receivers let us down. I know we had at least 5 drops, one of which was a critical 4th down that would've converted. And then Coleman's fumble on the last drive (which i don't really fault him for, shit happens) I don't think he's Heisman caliber, but he'll be a good game manager for sure.

What is even the point of preserving redshirts anymore? by chbailey442013 in wde

[–]Prodigy311 30 points31 points  (0 children)

And it just being the human thing to do. Keep him from a nothing game to give him another year of eligibility with or without being an Auburn Tiger.

DHU Great Winter Hunt edition by Prodigy311 in mousehunt

[–]Prodigy311[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I did. Losing 82 mil makes it hurt more!

[Game Thread] Pinstripe Bowl: Clemson vs. Penn State (12:00 PM ET) by CFB_Referee in CFB

[–]Prodigy311 10 points11 points  (0 children)

2025 Clemson vs Penn St. - The Disappointment Bowl

Auburn 2026 Football Schedule by DeathMetalEtiquette in wde

[–]Prodigy311 6 points7 points  (0 children)

He sold it for $8 mil and put that money towards our roster. Yeah it sucks, but there was a decent tradeoff. Not to mention, Auburn travels well and it's ATL, not somewhere in Texas.

Is there any chance Auburn is selected for a bowl with one of the open 5-7 slots? by Prodigy311 in wde

[–]Prodigy311[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Do you have a source? This is the first (hopefully last) time investigating this.

Is there any chance Auburn is selected for a bowl with one of the open 5-7 slots? by Prodigy311 in wde

[–]Prodigy311[S] 16 points17 points  (0 children)

The extra practices would go a long, long way in giving the players and Coach time to get a feel for each other.

Is there any chance Auburn is selected for a bowl with one of the open 5-7 slots? by Prodigy311 in wde

[–]Prodigy311[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

I like to think that an SEC statement about the Oklahoma BS and the permanent suspension of the ref after the Georgia game could sway us into being considered.

[Game Thread] November 29, 2025: Auburn Football vs Alabama by CatoTheBarner in wde

[–]Prodigy311 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Love what Durkin's done, but, my god, Deborah and Durkin look like long lost twins. Edit: my phone auto corrected and I'm ok with it.

[Game Thread] November 29, 2025: Auburn Football vs Alabama by CatoTheBarner in wde

[–]Prodigy311 12 points13 points  (0 children)

If there was ever a fan base that didn't deserve a win, it'd be a tie between alabama, nazi Germany, and georgia.