OR Office Politics

Remember that even though you are in the OR, it still functions as a work place, and sometimes office etiquette applies. You are going to be so busy in your first year trying not to kill someone, trying to look capable and reliable, that you might ignore or overlook the interpersonal relationships you have to contend with. Choose your battles wisely, always be polite and professional. Even when standing your ground about something, and that will surely happen, never use profane language or get yourself a name as someone who is argumentative or doesn’t work well with others. You will need to learn how to exert your confidence and find your voice in the OR, but doing it in a professional manner is always the best choice. One of my favorite books about building professional relationships is “How to Win Friends and Influence People”, great to read while you’re waiting for HR to get your paperwork in order.