Grad struggling in OR

[Pianoo]

Hi all

Just want some advice from.experienced or nurses and or grads

I'm 6 months in my scrub scout role. Tiny private hospital with 5 theatres. I mainly assit in colonoscopies (no issues), scout and scrub excisions.

3 days per week.

I don't know if how I'm feeling is normal, abnormal l.

I feel unsupported by staff sometimes. I think they have forgotten what it's like to be new. Years vs 6 months

The surgeons do not like to teach nor patient enough for grads. The theatre staff teach half orificeley. My preceptor had decided 1 month in that I'm not made for theatre and now that's her whole perspective of me.

The ONLY positive encouragement I've ever had was last month from a great anaesthetic nurse that said she noticed my scrubbing is improving, I'm doing well and learning quick. But nothing from the nurses I regularly work with. I felt so good, relieved and taken aback I almost.cried as no one other than orderlies have said that to me.

Sometimes I make silly small mistakes with sterility or paperwork or forgetting if preference. Is 6 months enough to be fully competent? Am I slow? Or am I being too hard on myself?

Im made to feel really, really incompetent. I'm beaten down for any mistakes. I'm constantly being told what to do still even though I know and literally just about to do it. EG I need betadine, can you do my gown up.

Their attitude and behaviour towards me really makes lose confidence. I build it up and it just gets torn down, vicious cycle. And of course this low self confidence is visible and rubs off on my work...

If I had supportive, open and understanding staff from the beginning I know I would be doing so much better. I know what I'm capable of and I do love OR environment.

How do I build confidence in myself and get other staff to trust me and be confident in my ability. I try my best but it's hard when they keep telling you what to do just before you're about to do it.

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

The general consensus is that it takes about a year if not more to become competent in the role of licensed nurse. I would gather from your vocab though that you are not in the US. What are you doing in ways to advocate for yourself? Are you requesting daily verbal and weekly written feedback from your preceptor? If your preceptor isn't a match, have you asked to have a new preceptor? Has your unit educator or manager been involved in providing feedback?

[Mbennetty]

In my experience, surgery is one of the most difficult places to be accepted. No matter your skills! Keep going, make sure you're receptive to suggestions from your peers, and show them that you're eager to learn and do a good job. Slowly they will see this and know you're in it for the long haul. I've seen it time & time again. The only people I don't see accepted are the know-it-alls and those that are too busy talking to pay attention. It's almost like an initiation for the first 6-12 mos. If u make it through, you're in! Just remember how u feel now when another newbie starts, though. I always give them special attention and feedback because I know how hard it can be to be new in surgery.

[ggoodman]

Be aggressive in your learning, they should be able to print the case cards for the next days surgeries for you... take these google them and watch the videos you can find. As for sterile technique, we are relentless about this and this is something that comes with time.... every one contaminates something now and again, mess up, fess up and people will respect that you respect the process. in general when your new, no one knows you and no one trust you know your job. Surgery is fast paced, stressful, but can be fun when you learn your job, team and know the surgery front to back. This take at least a year if not much more, but you never stop learning. I tell my new people that if your sitting down, you forgot to do something. I keep them busy if there is a room running they had better be in their learning, doing, and helping. Not everyone is meant for every service some are better fit in general while others open heart. Keep your head down and just keep swimming you'll get it eventually.