[munch]

Hello co-nurses! I am just curious about your different experiences as an OR nurse especially on your very first year in OR. I am almost on my 3rd month in OR right now, & I want your experiences/stories to inspire me & the other new nurses out there!thanx so much!!!! OR is really really challenging! In fact, I find myself anxious before going to the hospital everyday!

[Corvette Guy]

Originally Posted by munch

Hello co-nurses! I am just curious about your different experiences as an OR nurse especially on your very first year in OR. I am almost on my 3rd month in OR right now, & I want your experiences/stories to inspire me & the other new nurses out there!thanx so much!!!! OR is really really challenging! In fact, I find myself anxious before going to the hospital everyday!

I worked as a Certified Surg Tech [Scrub Tech] for 3 years, then Telemetry Nursing, ICU Nursing, then back to the OR. Been back in the OR for 4 yrs and I hate it! I do enjoy the times I get to scrub, as well as the times spent as a Circulator in an OR room where everyone works as a team. Yet, for the most part seems like the young [early 20's] scrub techs enjoy bossing around the Circulators. Currently, I'm waiting on acceptance from the Army Medical Dept. into there Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing. If that does not work out [high GPA of 3.756 but low GRE scores ... not to be disclosed here], then I'm thinking of getting back into ICU nursing in the Army AD.

Oops, I apologize for not posting an inspiring message on being a Circulator. I do love the OR, especially scrubbing-in & think I'd make an excellent CRNA.

Anyway, good luck in the OR & hopefully others will chime in with better reflection on being a Circulating Nurse.

[ORSmurf]

Hello!
I'm a new RN (graduated in May, passed boards in June) and have been orienting to the circulator position in the OR. I had already worked there for 8 years as an LVN/Scrub, so I guess that has made it much easier for me. Some days I still want to cry because I feel so stressed and get down on myself - feeling like I'll never be fast enough or whatever. There really is such an obsession with speed! But, on some days, I love it so much and can't imagine working anywhere else. I still take scrub call, so I get to feel "useful" on those days and enjoy it much more now (I had been getting burned out) that I do it less often. I feel pretty lucky to work with such great people, too. It's a small OR and everyone (for the most part) works as a team. I think that makes all the difference. If I didn't enjoy my co-workers so much, I would absolutely hate it.
Christine

Originally Posted by munch

Hello co-nurses! I am just curious about your different experiences as an OR nurse especially on your very first year in OR. I am almost on my 3rd month in OR right now, & I want your experiences/stories to inspire me & the other new nurses out there!thanx so much!!!! OR is really really challenging! In fact, I find myself anxious before going to the hospital everyday!

[grimmy]

I've been an OR nurse (and an RN) for the past 16 months. I love my job. But, as you've mentioned, by the third month or so, I was very stressed out. I was extremely hard on myself (my life-long M.O.) and there were a few times that I excused myself to the bathroom for a 5 minute cry. It was cathartic and necessary, but I've since come up with other ways to relieve stress and tension. There are times (and probably times in the future) when the tension will be too much, and I'll need that cry-time, but they are far and few between. While I am learning something new all the time (still), I feel more confident in what knowledge I have right now. It's not perfect, by far, but better. Starting in January, I want to start studying for the CNOR exam, and boost my sense of satisfaction again. Where I work, an RN must be able to scrub and circulate at any time, for any service, so that, in itself, is challenging, but I can't imagine any other way to do things. I have fun at work, for the most part. Many of the residents I work with like to joke, tease, and poke fun, but we know when to be serious, too. It makes for a nice atmosphere, and helps to ease tensions. The team members support one another, and we try to celebrate each other's birthdays, promotions, etc. This all takes time, and as a new nurse in the OR, people will not trust you right away. This is why having a great support system outside of work is so important. Family, friends and, for me, my church community, have made my life richer. Regular exercise, gardening, singing, and taking care of my pets helps with stress, too. Give yourself the love you'd give your best friend, and follow through with the promises you make to yourself. My best advice to a newbie!