20 years in the operating room: the story of a nurse who fell in love with surgery

      NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" - Maria Orlova

      On the third Sunday of June, Russia celebrates Medical Worker’s Day. This year, it falls on the 21st. In anticipation of the holiday, NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" together with the Ministry of Health of the Nizhny Novgorod region is launching a series of publications about the workers in this field.

      The first heroine of the series of articles is Galina Kuznetsova, the senior nurse of the Central City Hospital of Arzamas. She has been in the profession for over 20 years.

      "I fell in love with surgery"

      Galina Ivanovna made her choice of profession back in school, even though there were no medical professionals in her family. "I didn’t know exactly what I would be, but I understood that I would go into medicine," she recalls.

      A final decision was helped by her internship in the last year of the Arzamas Medical College – in the surgical department of the very hospital where she still works.

      "I fell in love with surgery and realized that I wanted to be an operating room nurse," says our heroine.

      In 2002, the graduate came to the Vladimirsky Hospital. At that time, the path to the operating room began with working as a nurse – this way, young specialists could master the specifics and prove themselves. Over time, Galina Kuznetsova became simply an operating room nurse, and after 13 years – a senior one.

      The employee of the Central City Hospital does not regret her choice. Although her parents suggested she enter a medical institute, she consciously remained in the profession to be the "right hand" of the surgeon.

      "I really love my job," she says.

      A job where you can't get distracted

      The role of the operating room nurse during surgery is enormous. The order in the operating room, adherence to sterility, and timely provision of instruments depend on her attention.

      "Any mistake can affect the outcome of the operation," notes Galina Kuznetsova.

      Most often, the medic participates in planned interventions, but there are also emergency cases. The hospital often receives victims of traffic accidents on the R-158 "Nizhny Novgorod – Saransk" highway and the "Nizhny Novgorod – Diveevo" road.

      The workday begins with preparing the operating room: checking equipment, sterility, instruments, and consumables.

      "Then I prepare for the operation: I wash my hands, cover the tables – the large and small one, where the necessary instruments are placed. After the operation, the work doesn’t end: disinfection, sterilization, preparation for the next intervention. During a shift, the operating room nurse may not sit down even once," she explains.

      The most challenging are the hours-long operations, when one has to stand still and maintain full concentration.

      "You must understand in advance what the surgeon will ask for. Get everything done, forget nothing, keep everything under control," shares our heroine.

      The emotional burden remains serious. "It’s hard when the operation doesn’t go well. Especially when there’s a child on the table (I have two children myself)," admits Galina Ivanovna.

      Dealing with anxiety is helped by thorough preparation: before each operation, she always clarifies all the details with the surgeon.

      "The patient sees only our eyes"

      "Sometimes we are called fighters of the invisible front," Galina Ivanovna says with a smile.

      Patients see only the eyes of the medics from under the masks. They rarely remember the names of those who were nearby during the operation, although it is often the operating room nurse who first meets the person before the intervention.

      "Everyone is worried. Some are silent, some ask questions. We try to support, say something kind, set them up for a good outcome," says the nurse.

      The first operation and professional omens

      Like many medics, Galina Kuznetsova admits that there are certain omens in the profession.

      For example, if during the last operation an instrument falls on the floor, it is touched to the floor three times – "so that everything goes smoothly." And the on-duty staff are not wished "calm duty."

      She remembers her first independent operation to this day – it was a cholecystectomy.

      "I was very worried: I could hand the wrong thread or the wrong instrument. But even if I was scolded, I understood why and tried not to make mistakes again," she recalls.

      Today, Galina Ivanovna herself mentors young specialists. According to her observations, the new generation learns modern equipment faster, but is not always ready for the physically and emotionally demanding work.

      "Medicine has changed a lot. If earlier operations were mainly open, now they are high-tech and less traumatic. We also have to keep learning constantly," says the specialist.

      At the same time, the staff shortage remains a problem.

      "Not everyone can work in the operating room. This is a narrow specialization, and you really need to love it," believes the nurse.

      Life outside the operating room

      Galina Ivanovna, as mentioned, is a mother of two children. She says she is proud that she managed to combine professional growth and family.

      "I have come a long way from a nurse to a senior operating room nurse. And all this time I raised my children," she notes.

      After hard shifts, meetings with friends, hobbies, and playing billiards help her switch off.

      "It’s important to separate work and personal life. You need to be able to disconnect," she says.

      The main dream of the medic remains simple: for her children to find their path, for her loved ones to be healthy, and for the world to be peaceful.

      "If there is patience, everything will work out"

      To those who are just choosing a profession, Galina Kuznetsova advises not to be afraid of difficulties.

      "Yes, it’s hard work. But if there is patience, experience will definitely come. And everything will work out!" – concluded the interlocutor of NIA "Nizhny Novgorod".

      Photo author: Alexander Volozhanin

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