Advice from the vets please

[RNOTODAY, BSN, RN]

:zzzzzTo all you long time OR people...I want your input...i have been in the OR a very short time, just about a year experience, most of that was orientation. Now I have taken a position in another OR. What I want to know is, what do I need to do to fit in? What do you want to see in new employees ? I really want to be an important member of the team, and help the best I can. I want to retain all the knowledge that I can, and there is so much in the OR. So, do you have any tips for me? I hear other co workers complain about certain new hires...but not about others...and I am wondering what the issues are. Any tips? People say to me that its like I have been working in the OR for 30yrs, my skill and confidence is so great. But, what do they mean? I am still that scared nurse inside most days afraid to make a mistake, etc....I basically just want to learn to be the best damn circulator I can be, and thats that!!!! Its important to me.....

Tips?? Words of wisdom?

[KayceeCA]

From what I've seen, the people who jump in and start doing things are the ones who get accepted. The ones who hold back, act like they're not interested in the cases or the other members of the team, don't volunteer to do the running or learn something new...they get typecast as dead weight. And the one thing that is looked down upon in the OR is dead weight. If you're enthusiastic, act like you really want to be there, and work hard, even the hard-core old timers will warm up to you faster.

It sounds like your interest in being the best circulator you can be is showing, and that is what your co-workers are acknowledging. Keep being yourself, keep trying hard to do the job you want to do, and don't doubt yourself. Once you've been oriented to the OR, the most important thing is to keep on contributing, and showing that you really want to do this job. It sounds like that's just what you're doing in your new position. Keep it up!

[RNOTODAY, BSN, RN]

Thanks!!!!

Your encouragemnet means so much....

[CrazyScrubNurse, BSN, RN]

And please keep in mind that there are ALWAYS going to be people who like to moan and complain no matter what you do! You sound awesome to me just don't get discouraged!!!

[brewerpaul]

Be yourself, not what you think someone else wants you to be (good advice for life as well as in the OR). If you've been in the OR for a year, even on orientation, you're probably in pretty good shape. Stay active in all your cases. I've seen circulators surfing the web during long cases, and sometimes that's tempting but it's really a bad idea. There's always something to clean up, straighten, get those sponges in order, anticipate what the surgeons may want next, etc. If the Docs are friendly and talkative, ask them about what they're doing-- I think most of them WANT a nurse who's interested in the case. The more you know, the better you will be.

And yes, there are always people who will ***** about someone of something. That's their problem, not yours. You'll soon learn who complains just for complaining sake and who will give you really useful,constructive criticism. Most of all, have fun, do your best and you'll be fine