WHY A REGISTERED NURSE (RN) IN THE OR?

Abstract

Many of us have heard some destructive leader, manager, or director, make statements like “there is no nursing in the operating room – the OR is only technical”… “a monkey could be taught to work in the OR” or “ there is no difference between a Licensed Practice Nurse (LPN), a Registered Practical Nurse (RPN), an Operating Room Technician (ORT), and a Registered Nurse (RN)”. Other inflammatory statements, that attempt to diminish the importance of specialty knowledge and training, include “OR nurses are only self serving,” or “specialization is the cause of the nursing shortage,” and “a nurse is a nurse is a nurse.” The lack of professional knowledge and impact for the patient care are only some of the thoughts that go through the mind of a perioperative registered nurse at such reprehensible statements.