New OR Nurse and feeling overwhelmed... - page 2

I have experienced the same as well but now I can say that I have gained confidence in all that I do...just like what they have said be prepared when going to work and concentrate on people who are nice to you. ..

When you tie her up, if your gowns has velcro near the neck, take a lil bit of her hair net and stick it to the velcro. I had a tech that was always making me run for stuff than giggle about it. Her hat got stuck to her velcro and when that happens you can't move your head very well, so she asked me to fix it for her..."oh so you need me to do something for you huh, you gonna keep being a twerp?" And now it's a joke between us and I tell her that if she doesnt settle down I'm gonna stick her hat to her velcro.

Unfortunately as many others have said the OR is a very difficult place to work and also to get into the group. But once you do, it all is ok. The doc just has to feel like he is God, just play his game, study up on the cases you'll be doing with him, and maybe even ask him questions, even if you know the answers. It makes them feel good. You may find 9 months down the road when you've settled in that tech may tell you she never had a problem with you and thought very highly of you.

I would however address that behavior of hazing to your manager or an educator (not preceptor). It is something many managers are aware of and most facilities are trying to tackle, but it is a huge problem.

Good Luck, it's a great career if you've got the skin for it.

I started in OR boot camp back in Feb 2012 but came as a seasoned nurse with a background in L+D, medsurg and homecare. Everyone warned me that you had to have thick skin for the OR and treat the surgeons like they walk on water. I figured I would just get accustomed to the culture and with 10 years of exp under my belt I had high hopes for myself. Let's just say I cry at least 2-3 times per week (after work of course) and have to give myself a pep talk most days before I will even get out of the car. Each day I try to find witty comebacks, stand up for myself, try to remain non-emotional, get things done as fast and efficiently as possible and am prepared to be thrown under the bus by any team member I am working with. This is the norm and each day is like entering the battleground anew. I find it so unfortunate that this is my focus rather than giving excellent patient care and becoming an expert in my new setting.

I hope things improve for you. After going on a year in the OR, I have accepted that my environment will likely not change. I am stuck in a contract but will likely move on after I fulfill my time.

I went to work in the OR straight out of nursing school and I agree with all of the others in saying that it does seem to be just the culture of the OR. I cried often the first few months and wondered if I was in the right place.( The only area of nursing I was ever interested in going to was surgery). A seasoned OR nurse told me to give it at least a year. I promise if you hang in there it will get better and in time you will feel confident and when you start giving it back to the ones giving you a hard time they will know to its time to move on to the next new person. I worked in that same OR for 14 years before leaving nursing to be a full time stay at home mom. Now 10 years later I am looking forward to taking a refresher course and going back. Although I am thinking of other areas of nursing this time around not because I didn't like the OR but want to experience another area maybe med-surg and gain some skills. Good Luck to you and hang in there!

This type of behavior is why the saying is that "nurses eat their young." It INFURIATES me that this is seen as a normal part of the OR culture. You shouldn't need a thick skin to come to work each day. Go to the manager or team leader or who ever is next on the ladder. If that person blows you off, go up the chain. If I read correctly, you have to work with the same tech and nurse and surgeon every day?
No wonder you're miserable. You're being bullied, pure and simple. They think that they are big for belittling you, but authentic humans don't operate that way. Is there an employee assistance program there? They maybe can help you in strategies for dealing with difficult people. Just PLEASE don't let them make you think you have to be a b***h to get along.