Brand new OR nurses UNITE!!!

KC CHICK · Nov 26, 2001

shodobe,

I work at one of 'those' hospitals that uses RNs for circulating only. It would be interesting to scrub, but unlike some, I prefer the circulating role. Correction, my back and knees prefer the circulating role!!!

There are some very good scrub techs out there and they do a wonderful job.

I can tell the difference between a scrub tech and an RN that is scrubbed in. The RN is very concientious about the patient. The techs are trained technically, however, not very many understand why we do the things we do for the patient. I've had to remind techs to keep mayo stands off toes....if you know what I mean.

I also wanted to let you know....even though I don't scrub, I feel like a complete OR nurse.

shodobe · Dec 5, 2001

When I refer to a complete OR nurse it is not to take away anything from you. It is very tough especially in a large OR.I have been lucky in alot of ways because when I started out many years ago I thought all RNs scrubbed and circulated and thought Techs were used mainly in OP settings.Things have changed so much over the years. I work 2 different hospitals and see the new hires at one come in and want to do it all. I ask them, when I scrub the Techs out for lunch, when they are going to learn how to scrub and they look at me with dispair and say probably never because the hospital doesn't have a training program to do this. I wish all RNs could learn to scrub but I know this training is going by the wayside and eventually Techs will do it all. I do have a few fellow employees that would rather circulate than scrub and that's OK. I prefer Ortho and Vascular because I love POWER TOOLS, ok I'm a guy, and then I love the intensity that vascular surgery brings. I just like the idea that not only do I know what is going on with the patient and anesthesia and the room in general, I also know what is going on at the OR table and can anticipate what the surgeon might need or get what the scrubber is going to need before they ask for it. I just feel that I have a complete grasp of what is going on in general. I feel lucky. I have been going on some interviews lately and that is one question that I always ask, will I be able to scrub cases. Most of the answers have been yes and I know that most of the hospitals use Techs so I know my days of scrubbing freely is close to an end, so this I except. I wish everyone good luck in their endeavors and Happy Holidays! Mike :cool:

NurseExplorer · Dec 11, 2001

What's the difference between scrub and circulating?

Marijke · Dec 12, 2001

You where asking about the difference between circulating and scrubbing. In short it is as follows, the scrub nurse (or tech) is part of the sterile team he/she assists the surgeon with the instruments and everything else needed for the surgery. The circulator is taking care of the patient, things like positioning, keeping the patient as warm as possible etc. He/she provides supplies for the sterile team, like sponges instruments etc. He/she also operates a lot of the machines needed during the surgery. There is a lot more, but this is the short version.

The ciculating role can be a very challenging one, but also a very satisfying. In my hospital as in most Canadian hospitals I get to do both. We have a couple of techs, but mainly RN's. My favourite specialty is Ortho, I am not a man, but do like the powertools. Repairing fractures is so much fun, with all the lovely instrument sets with screws, plates, drills and clamps a handyman's dream.

I can recommend a career in OR nursing, it will never be boring and there will always be something new to learn. It is very nice to be part of the team.

Marijke:p

armyrn · Dec 15, 2001

i have been an OR nurse for about 10 months. the army has a separate specialty for scrub tech so RNs almost never get to scrub. i have probably scrubbed about 12 cases in my life, mostly ortho (Marijke i love the power tools too, but i'm a man so that's expected, right?) as far as techs not thinking about patients i feel that relates more to experience than training. all training programs are different though. currently at my hospital we teach the clinical component of the army surgical tech school and i am in the process of adding some A&P and patient care classes. techs in the didactic phase have very little anatomy taught to them. how can you do surgery if you don't know anatomy? off my soapbox, sorry about that. i enjoy both scrubbing and circulating, and while you don't have to scrub a lot to be a good circulator, you really do need to understand the job to run the room effectively in my opinion.

openheartnurse · Dec 16, 2001

I have been an OR nurse since I graduated over 10 years ago....I fell in love with the OR the first time I ever walked into a OR room. But it wasn't easy, the personalities are strong in the OR. and you have to learn to be strong too. some nurses will NOT share hints or any knowledge with the new nurses.

I was at the same hospital forever it seemed, then I got burned out and left to do some traveling. That was the best thing I ever did for myself. I learned new ways of doing the same thing. and I learned that I can do it!! that is go into a new hospital and with very little orientation do a good job.

Now I am back home doing some per diem work with a local agency. I love being back home, but I do miss the excitment of meeting new people. :cool:

The hospital that I am at has so many scrub techs that the RN's rarely get to scrub. When I went thru orientation years ago, I had 3 months circulating and 3 months scrubbing orientation. I miss scrubbing, because I feel it makes you a better circulator.

Marijke · Dec 17, 2001

I am not the one that started that man/woman powertool thing,it is as far as I am concerned a non issue. I know plenty of men who absolutely hate powertools.

My personal experience is that a lot of OR RN's love tools, it is the kind of person very often attracted to OR nursing. Having a technical mind helps to make the job easier.

Marijke

AdrianLPN · Dec 17, 2001

Hello newbies!!

nume · Dec 18, 2001

Hi everyone. I'm new to the forum. I just took my last final today in an ADN program. Grad at the end of the month. Yeah! Anyway, I have been an LPN for several years prior to starting the RN program, and had worked in a surgeons private office in the past(And did a good job too if I do say so) I loved it, and was sure I wanted to work in the OR when I was done with school. Now I'm not so sure, after talking with instructors, recruitors, and other nurses. While I did enjoy the med/surg rotations, I'm just not sure if it's for me, or at least the long term plan. I think my instructer is worried that I'll get in the OR, work a few years and hate it, and then be afraid to come back out on the floor , a recruiter, after finding out I was interested in the OR(I think she was looking for med/surg nurses) told me , It takes a certain kind of person to like the OR,and sort of.. well blew me off, and other students /nurses think I won't like working with "unconscious patients". I tell them they aren't unconscious when they first get in the OR and I would want to know someone like me was there looking out for me when I was anesthesized. It's almost like OR nurses are thought of as from a different planet or something. Has anyone else noticed this? Thanks

Marijke · Dec 28, 2001

Don't give up on your dream, no matter what other people say. It sounds to me like you are the kind of caring person I would like to have around in the OR.

I have also experienced this attitude towards OR nurses. If I go to the ICU or ER to assist in the transfer of a critically ill patient I usually am ignored and have to start asking questions regarding the care of the patient. I have the feeling OR nurses are the only ones that take over the care for a patient from another unit and are expected to do so without getting report. This would never happen between 2 other units for example ICU to a medical floor.

We are not just technicians, but highly trained and skilled professionals, in an ever changing and challenging work environment. Follow what your heart tells you to do, I don't think you will regret the choices you will make (whatever it might be). Good luck!