How to Leave the OR at the Door

Because you can’t pour from an empty cup.

If you’ve ever driven home replaying a case in your head, second-guessing a decision, or hearing the beeping of monitors long after you’ve clocked out—you’re not alone. The OR doesn’t just stay behind those double doors; sometimes it follows us home.

But here’s the truth: to be your best inside the OR, you have to take care of yourself outside of it. Leaving work at work is a skill—and just like learning to anticipate the surgeon’s next move, it takes practice.

Let’s talk about how to do it.

Do a mental “sign-out” before you leave

Just like we sign out our patients, sign yourself out mentally.
Before walking out of the locker room, take one minute to check in:

• Did I do my best today?
  
  
• Did my patient leave the OR safe?
  
  
• Is there anything I need to follow up on tomorrow?
  
  

Once you’ve answered those questions, let the rest go. The day is done.
You can’t change a case that’s already closed—but you can change how much it follows you home.

Create a “leaving work” ritual

Rituals help your brain shift gears.
It doesn’t have to be complicated:

• Listen to your favorite podcast or playlist on the drive home.
  
  
• Change out of scrubs and into something comfy as soon as you walk in.
  
  
• Light a candle, stretch, or just take a deep breath at your front door.
  
  

The goal is simple—signal to your brain that work mode is off.

Talk it out, don’t hold it in

Some cases stick with you. Maybe it was a trauma, a code, or just a hard day. Don’t bottle it up.
Find a coworker, mentor, or friend who “gets it.” Sometimes you don’t need advice—you just need someone who understands the weight of what you saw.

If you keep replaying the same moment, that’s your mind asking for release. Talking about it helps lighten the load.

Move your body, clear your mind

You don’t have to run a marathon (unless you want to).
A walk, spin class, or yoga session works wonders. Physical movement burns off the stress that builds up during long cases.

If your mind’s still in the OR, move until your body reminds you that you’re home now.

Leave work talk at work (most of the time)

It’s okay to share stories or vent sometimes—but don’t let the OR become your only topic. You’re a nurse, yes—but you’re also a person with hobbies, goals, and dreams.

Talk about other things: what you’re cooking, where you want to travel, or how your plants are doing. You’ll start to remember that life exists outside those four sterile walls.

Protect your rest

It’s tempting to scroll through your phone until midnight, but your mind needs downtime.
Create a bedtime routine that helps you wind down—dim lights, no OR stories, maybe some quiet music or journaling.

Sleep isn’t a luxury—it’s recovery. You can’t be sharp and calm in the OR if your brain never gets to rest.

Remember why you started

Some days will drain you. Others will remind you exactly why you chose this field. Keep a small reminder—a patient thank-you card, a quote, or even your badge reel motto.

You make a difference every single day, even when it doesn’t feel like it.

Bottom line

The OR will always be intense. You’ll always care deeply. But you can’t give your best if you’re running on empty.
Learn to close your mental door when you clock out. Rest, recharge, and come back ready—not burnt out.

Because the best OR nurses aren’t just skilled—they’re balanced.
They know when to give everything to the job…
…and when to take their life back once they hang up their scrubs. 💙🩺