Yesterday was my first day back from a 3 day mini-vacation. I recently changes services in the OR, and although I love my new service, I still need a few days to get to a "comfort level" in how each doc does things, where the supplies are and what the preferences of the docs/staff are. While I was scrambling to get my feet grounded in my first procedure, the nurse educator walks into the room with a nursing student. He said, "This is Canes. She will look after you and answer all the questions you have about this procedure. She will tell you all about what is going on and what the roles of each person is during surgery." Totally dropped this poor student in my lap. I felt so badly for this student because the case was a complicated one, and I had A TON of stuff to do. She immediately starts asking questions while I am trying to chart. I told her that I have to concentrate on my chart first (which is laborious), and then I will answer her questions. Well, there was never a lull in the case. Things started to go south, and I had to in effect, push her to the side.
I am such a strong advocate of teaching, but the position I was put in was difficult. I had ZERO time to teach her, and I am afraid that her first impression of the OR was horrible as a result.
Can you guys tell me how I could have handled this better?
