Own Your Zone

According to a Gallup poll that was conducted in 2023, nursing has been named the most trusted profession with the highest ethical standards for 22 years in a row.¹ 22 years! That is incredible. It makes me think about a slogan I heard when I first started working in the OR, how it’s meaning evolved throughout my career, and how it can help you. 

Own Your Zone

When I first started nursing, I worked on a medical/surgical oncology unit. I took care of postop and medical patients for about three and a half years. I moved to a new facility in a new state and found myself switching gears and working in the OR; this was a whole new ball game. While I was learning how to function in this environment, the facility rolled out a campaign to encourage chipping in and helping clean up. The slogan was that you had to “Own Your Zone.”

Although I thought it was an important campaign, I did not think too much about it at the time. However, as my nursing career progressed, I have come to learn and understand that this phrase means so much more than just ensuring I clean up after myself.

The Importance

The “Own Your Zone” slogan means that, if you see something on the floor or out of place, you should take the time to remedy that. When you are putting away a piece of equipment, it should be put where it belongs and not just tossed somewhere for it to then become someone else’s problem. By putting it away the right way the first time, not only are you protecting the equipment, which honestly can be ridiculously expensive, but also helping your coworkers. Your coworkers will know where the equipment is and will not have to play Tetris or hide and go seek to get to the equipment they need.

The mindset of “Own Your Zone” allows the unit to flow better and in a more efficient and effective manner. Money won’t be lost on replacing supplies or repairing equipment. More importantly, patients deserve and should receive the best we can offer them in a safe, clean, and organized environment.

Let’s take the “Own Your Zone” concept a bit further.

Errors

“Own Your Zone” also applies to mistakes made. It means that you should take responsibility for your actions and learn from your mistakes. We are all human and we all make mistakes, but what makes us unique is how we look at what failed and why and work to make it better. Whether it is an error in decision making or a flaw discovered in a process, you should actively work to improve and make every situation better for yourself, your coworkers, and your patients.

Role Modeling

Students are taught to speak up if they see something that doesn’t seem right. This is also how you can “Own Your Zone.” As a nurse in an OR, you are the advocate for that patient. You should be a leader and role model. If something is not right, speak up. For example, if instruments are not working correctly or sterile indicators are not intact, you should not use them.  Instead, you should question the validity or sterility of them. With so many new nurses entering the field, the concept of role modeling is so crucial. Role modeling these behaviors helps not only yourself grow and learn, but others as well.

Taking Pride

“Own Your Zone” also speaks to the pride and ownership you take in your work. The easy way is not always the best way. Throughout your day, if you see a process or a system is broken, you should take the initiative to say something and work toward creating a solution to make things better. You can fix that form that is missing information or doesn’t flow correctly.

Now get out there and "Own Your Zone.”

Reference:

1. America’s Most Trusted: Nurses Continue to Rank Highest. American Nurses Association. January 22, 2024.