There are some good threads about OR experiences here; I suggest you take a gander at some of them for advice regarding "fear of fainting", etc. Even though you may be excited, the OR heat, smells, anxiety can may anyone feel a bit nauseated. Couple that with the disorienting "spacesuit" you have to wear during joint replacements (its hard to hear, its hot, your vision is obscured, etc.), it can be a difficult experience.
Wear something nice but casual, depending on the plans for the day. If you're just going to be in the OR (ie, no office hours or clinic) then a simple "Gap/J.Crew" look would be fine - ie, polo shirt and khakis. You will likely spend most of your time in scrubs. Bring a pair of comfortable shoes in which you can stand for long periods. Do not bring new shoes - they are uncomfortable generally and if they get blood on them you will be disappointed. Sneakers are fine. Sandals are not.
Know that the OR is divided into Sub-sterile and Sterile areas. The first are generally the halls outside of the ORs and require you to wear scrubs, a surgical cap and OR shoes or shoe covers. While I know its been suggested to bring your own scrubs, bear in mind that some hospitals will not allow "outside" scrubs to be worn into their ORs; you must wear the hospital supplied ones.
Once inside the OR you should have your mask on. You will occasionally see people without their masks; this is generally accepted if the sterile trays (equipment, towels, etc.) aren't opened yet. As a student, be on the safe side and wear your mask when in the OR at all times.
Don't wear a long t-shirt under your scrubs. You won't be able to scrub with the sleeves pushed up and you will get hot, especially in Ortho and Peds rooms. Tuck your shirt into your pants and keep shoelaces inside the shoe covers. For most Ortho procedures you should wear knee high booties..makes the blood bath a little less heavy. You shouldn't need to for joint replacements, but in trauma cases and other heavy blood loss ones, you can soak the gown (even the paper ones) through to your underwear and socks. Have something clean to change into afterwards.
When you scrub, make sure that you have your glasses on (if you wear them)and are all ready to go. The attending, resident, medical student or nurse will assist you with donning the space suit. If not wearing the space suit, have your eye protection, mask, etc. on. Its a common mistake not to and then have to rescrub.
Double glove. Don't be like me and only do it if someone makes you.
Don't hold your hands up high, close to your face. Either someone here is teaching all the medical students to do that or they've watched too much tv. Keep your hands right in front of you, no lower than at 90 degrees and no higher than your nipples. Otherwise, you will contaminate yourself. You'll see us with our arms folded, nearing our armpits. Do not emulate; this is an advanced move.
As noted, your job is to not contaminate the field. Everyone will be watching you like a hawk. If anyone, especially the scrub nurse, says you've contaminated the field, don't argue...you have.
When you approach the surgical field, rest your hands on the patient - preferably not in the wound, until you are invited to. You are much less likely to contaminate yourself by dropping your hands to your side, or touching your mask if you have your hands on the field.
Know that the back of your gown is not sterile, so keep your front toward the table at all times, and when crossing paths with another sterile person, turn your back toward their back or cross front to front (ie, sterile to sterile, or non-sterile to non-sterile).
There will be several people in the OR, most of whom have important jobs. Besides you and the attending, there may be a resident or fellow, medical student, the anesthesiologist and resident, or CRNA (be careful you aren't taking Dire Straits advice in discussing the "CRNA problem" without first ascertaining whom is actually on the other side of the drape). Their will be a scrub nurse and a circulator who will get supplies or other equipment needed. Make sure the circulator knows your name and how to spell it. If there's white board in the room, write your name on it so they can record it on the OR record (they are required to keep track of anyone in the room, even if you're just watching). A tech or two may roam into the room. Occasionally a drug or equipment rep hanging about. Sometimes some nursing students.
When the case is over, don't just disappear. Help transfer the patient from the OR table to his bed. If the surgeon doesn't put the dressings on, assist the scrub nurse in doing so. Go to the PACU with him (unless your attending has other plans for you).
Don't worry - no one expects you to know anything. Listen, watch and you'll pick up how things work. Have fun!
