When should I love this job??

Specialties Operating Room

Published

I've been in the OR a year now, started as a new grad. Circulating is my comfort zone but they are having me scrub most every day to learn my service. I've become efficient in that service, but last week they threw me in another service to scrub and I felt lost!:bluecry1: I got through the case alright, but I'm not solid on every set in every service at all and it get's quite stressful. Especially if you have ppl who aren't too willing to help you through.

I'm just feeling frustrated and hoped by this time I would be comfortable with everything. I got into nursing feeling it was my nitch and was disillusioned by the culture within it quite frankly. Sometimes the OR can get quite abusive. I don't come to work to have to defend myself or 'give it back' and shouldn't have to develope a thick skin b/c it's acceptable to be unprofessional. :argue: I'm going to stick with it since I'm in this far. I'm sure there will come a time where you can't throw anything at me I don't know, but it shakes your confidence when something throws you.:eek:

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Specializes in Operating Room.

It can take up to 2 years to feel comfortable. Even then, you still will have situations that throw you a little bit. Me personally, this whole week has been full of them!:banghead::D

There can be tough personalities in the OR..and while I don't think you should ever have to tolerate abuse, sometimes in a crisis, people get snippy. I have become so much more assertive since working in the OR, even family and friends notice the difference.

Some people are better at teaching than others. Does your OR have an educator? Maybe you could go to them and let them know that you feel you aren't getting enough guidance.

Don't be rough on yourself either, for feeling overwhelmed. I love the OR, but I have my days where I wonder if I should try a different specialty. Thankfully, those are becoming fewer and fewer. Good luck!

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Specializes in OPERATING ROOM, ICU.

Congrats! You've come a long way! As you know circulating and scrubbing are two totally different jobs. You are becoming proficient in both! I would have loved to learn to scrub, however, where I work the circulators are just that with the exception of one or two that have transferred in from different facilities.

By building on your knowlege base, you are also building your self-confidence. The more you learn the more valuable you become. When you are thrown into a new situation, go in with excitement. Set your case up the best as you can and as soon as someone else is in your room ask questions. Will the doctor want blah, blah, blah. Is he left or right handed, etc. If you are ignored when you ask questions, don't let that put you off (could be they don't know the answer either!). For the most part, the surgeons prefer people who are there to "serve" them. They can tell who is trying to make their lives easier vs. people who are difficult.

Enjoy your trial by fire knowing that you are going to be the winner! Best of luck to you! You are awesome!

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Thank you for the encouraging words!:) I'm hanging in there. I'm getting a bit nervous b/c I'm moving to an off shift, so I'll get anything and everything!:eek: I was talking to another nurse today and she said it could take up to 2 years to feel really comfortable after orientation! There's just too much to absorb and orientation is just a blow through IMO. I don't think it should be realistic to expect anyone to know every service cold being that new.

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Specializes in OR, and more recently PACU and SDC.

Two years, as suggested, seems rather optimistic, especially if you're going to work your way through all the services. Look at each new scrub experience as a challenge. Challenge yourself to put together the things you already know, then think beyond the basics. Today you probably feel like it's the first day driving a car with a manual transmission, jumpy and jerky. Before long, it will be smooth sailing. Relax.... anticipate... pay attention to the surgery... ask questions, get involved. MOST surgeons love to teach and will walk you through the procedure.

Have fun!

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Specializes in OR.

I've been in the OR for 12 years and there are days when I still wonder why. Then, there are other days that I get very involved with my patients and realize that they are really the reason I'm there. You are their voice.

I have always put myself into new situations whether scrubbing or circ-ing, it helps to take any downtime (and believe me I know there isn't much) and go into a room and observe the scrub and ask questions, ask your charge nurse to let you double scrub in areas where there maybe a need for you.

There are OR nurses that as they say "eat their young" I feel sorry for the cannibals. Don't they realize that the new people in the OR will make it easier on them. Whether it's getting that summer vacation off, or someone else to do a service they themselves aren't comfortable in, or having another person in a trauma who can help. I have yet to understand why this happens and I have also found that discussing the issue with them goes nowhere. As you can see there will always be frustration. Growing a tough-skin isn't the answer. But then, I'm not sure what is.

I hate to see newbies leave the OR because they have been abused, it really can be good. Just not every day. Unfortunately, having traveled as well as worked as staff, it is similar in every OR.

JACHO is passing a new law that violence (employee related) is not to be tolerated. I am searching for my link to that article I will forward it if I can find it. I think the hospitals are becoming aware of the lateral violence amongst nurses, one can only hope that there will be changes made in our favor.

I'm not trying to discourage you. I have worked with many peri-op students and have always been honest with them. Thankfully, the majority of them have stayed. It's a tough environment. I would recommend the book "What Color is Your Parachute" it is about finding the job that you want. It uses self exploration to help you find your self. You just might realize, you're where you really want to be. :typing :twocents:

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Specializes in OR.

Hello,

I have been there 10 months...and everyday I am like...huh? I am comfy in circulating in all areas and now they have me scrubbing...we are a small OR and so we do everything..there is no "specialty"...yeah we have some who are great in certain areas..but we work them all. I feel that I get pulled here to there to get experience in scrubbing. 3 Lap choles today, a lap hernia, a shoulder repair today...tomorrow TAH, BSO...artho knee, circulate some....to AV graft, Csection or 2....bowel resection. Then while all this is running through my head...I get thrown to "run the board"...alone. Then it could be next week before I do another TAH with a totally different doctor. SOOOO...yeah I know what you mean.

It DOES get better...I see that daily...hang in there. We will be ok.

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I've asked myself this same question. 5 months now. I'm a ICU nurse to OR transplant. Thought I'd be more comfortable, but through those doors everything is different! I'm sticking with it, but it is hard to go from being a resource to others in ICU to a newby.

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