Scalpels & Sunshine: A Summer Survival Guide for OR Nurses

It’s the unofficial kickoff to the summer season: school’s ending, days are longer people are planning PTO. But hospital life? You know the answer: still running full speed. And no matter how hot it gets outside, it’s always 62° in the OR.

Let’s face it: While the rest of the world is posting beach selfies and sipping mojitos, you're trying to remember the last time you saw sunlight between back-to-back cases. So here’s a fun little mid-shift read just for you. It’s packed with scrub life tips, hot-weather hacks and a bit of humor for surviving the surgical summer.

1. It’s Always Winter in the OR

The outside temp may be pushing triple digits, but the OR remains a meat locker. Your best bet? Layer up like it’s ski season. Light under scrubs, zip-up fleeces and compression socks are your summertime MVPs.

Pro tip: Keep a blanket in your locker. Bonus points if it has cartoon characters.

2. Stay Hydrated (But Not Too Hydrated)

Electrolyte powders. Stanley tumblers. Do what you must to prevent dehydration; just pace yourself with water if you’re scrubbed in for a 5-hour case. The bladder gamble is real.

3. Pack Summer-Approved Snacks

OR breakrooms are basically snack black holes. Bring your own. Try:

• Chilled fruit cups
• Frozen grapes
• Trail mix

4. Deodorant is a Team Sport

It’s hot. It’s humid. It’s close quarters. Do your part. Maybe stash a mini in your locker. Maybe leave a polite, passive-aggressive “Summer Freshness Starts with Us!” sign on the board.

5. Get Outside, Even if It’s Just the Loading Dock

Even 5 minutes of sunlight during lunch counts. Catch that serotonin! Breathe real air! Remind yourself the sky still exists!

Bonus idea: Start a “5-Minute Sun Club” with your favorite teammates. SPF optional (but encouraged).

6. Sunscreen + Masks = Summer Skin Chaos

If you’ve mastered the art of not melting under a surgical mask with SPF on, bravo In the meantime:

• Use mineral sunscreen (less slip)
• Blot like it’s your part-time job
• Accept the fact that your tan will be a perfect surgical cap outline

7. The Real Summer Mood?

Hot, heroic, and slightly exhausted. Just remember: You're not alone. You’re part of a wild, hilarious, slightly sleep-deprived club of superheroes keeping patients safe and surgeries moving, even when the air smells like skin prep and someone's blasting “Summer of ’69” on loop.

Take the Break. Take the PTO. Take Care of You.

Summer won’t slow the pace in the OR, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find moments to breathe, laugh, and feel the sunshine. From all of us at Surgical Solutions, thank you for everything you do.

Before You Go… Let’s Stay Connected (and Slightly Entertained)

We know you’re busy keeping things sterile and sane, but if you’ve got 60 seconds between cases or while waiting on that one surgeon who’s always late…

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Thanks for being part of this wild, wonderful world of surgical support.

We see you, we appreciate you. And we’re here to help you thrive (even in 62° temps).

Stay cool out there,
The Surgical Solutions Team

P.S. It’s the halfway point of the year—how’s everyone really doing?  We're here for you! Contact us!