Latest Experience Reflection: Operating Room as Clinical Learning Environment
Advantage:
The Operating Room (OR) provides a highly structured and fast-paced environment that immerses students in real-time application of aseptic techniques, teamwork, and precision in surgical nursing. During a recent clinical rotation, students were exposed to multidisciplinary collaboration, allowing them to witness the roles of scrub nurses, circulating nurses, surgeons, and anesthesiologists in action. This exposure heightened their understanding of perioperative nursing and deepened their appreciation for safety protocols, sterile field maintenance, and critical thinking during surgical procedures.
Disadvantage:
However, the same intensity and high-stakes nature of the OR can also be overwhelming for students, especially those new to clinical practice. In the same experience, some students expressed anxiety and hesitation to actively participate, fearing they might disrupt the sterile field or commit errors. The limited opportunity for hands-on tasks and the expectation to observe silently can restrict their engagement and hinder confidence-building.