[orrnlori]

I'm entertaining a very good possible offer with our College of Dentistry within the medical center where I work. It would be a quasi-management job with lots of varied responsibilities. The Assistant Dean I'm talking to is a wonderful oral surgeon I've worked with for several years. The staff and faculty are all excellent. I would still get to work with residents and students, which is one of the things that has kept me in the OR.

I keep thinking, no heavy lifting, no hats, no masks, no trauma, no switching to another case once I'm set up to do another, no overtime, no call, no nights, no weekends, no holidays. Yes to a hairstyle, nail polish, nice clothing and shoes, jewelry, 9-5 M-F.

The OR has been my love since coming on board as a new nurse 6 years ago. But I'm growing bored, restless, and unhappy with the new management system.

Have you ever left only to find out you missed it so much you had to return?

[CIRQL8]

I have never left the OR - I did move away and work in another OR just to return to this one!!


Oral surgery still is surgery. You are not leaving surgery.

What really matters is happiness with your situation (hours, call, dress, etc - everything that you mentioned) and the people you work with.

Try it if you so choose, but keep the doors of return open. Leave on a good basis, give pleanty of notice (at least two weeks, a month if possible) Check your employee handbook - know what the hospital wants as far as notice, know how long you can be gone (or stay PRN) and return w/out losing seniority, pension, benefits, etc.

After being gone 6 months, I lost a year and a half seniority and had to start from scratch in that regard (at least it was only a year and a half). You could potentially loose 6 years worth if you decide to return.

GOOD LUCK!!

-Dave

[orrnlori]

Since I'm transferring within the university system, there is no loss of anything, everything (benefits, seniority, etc) goes with me and comes back if I come back. I never thought I'd leave the OR, but it's starting to break me physically, my back and feet always hurt and I"m living on Advil 3 times a day. I just worked so hard to get all my skills in scrubbing, it's hard to give that up. But I'm sooooooo sick of trauma. I think I need a break.

[stevierae]

Originally Posted by orrnlori

Since I'm transferring within the university system, there is no loss of anything, everything (benefits, seniority, etc) goes with me and comes back if I come back. I never thought I'd leave the OR, but it's starting to break me physically, my back and feet always hurt and I"m living on Advil 3 times a day. I just worked so hard to get all my skills in scrubbing, it's hard to give that up. But I'm sooooooo sick of trauma. I think I need a break.

Lorri, trauma gets REAL old once you turn 30. I did it until I was 37, and then I moved to Oregon from California and promised myself I would never take another night of call, and I have kept that promise. There comes a point where your time and your sleep is worth much more than anyone can offer to pay you.

I am a legal nurse consultant nopw with my own firm, but I still do OR travel assignments every two years to keep myself clincially active so that I can expert witness.

I also did clinical IV product and infusion pump teaching. You are right; it was really nice, and is really nice, to wear a suit and high heels and makeup. When you wear a mask all day, why bother?

IV teaching was a lot of fun, and it felt good to know that, at least in THAT institution, the nurses would be using the products correctly, as you know you TAUGHT them correctly. If you are interested and want to know about how you could get started, feel free to p.m. me, I can give you some leads. The IV companies provide extensive training.

[lynswim]

I've just come back to the OR after doing various other jobs (hospice, parish, etc) for 13 years. A LOT has changed! But some things are still the same - hooking up the Bovie, grumpy doctors, etc
I'm doing it prn so that makes it easier!
Lyn