Any new grads start in OR?

rubyd'quis · Nov 15, 2003

Take heart! Any new job takes time to adjust. I have worked in the PACU for some time. When I change locations to a different hospital, the routine is different, the paper work is different, and the people are different from what you've had before.

Most new grads feel overwhelmed. You're still building on your foundation. Even it you feel that you're on your preceptor's last nerve, ask questions if you're unsure of anything.

We have students come into our unit where I work. Sometimes RN's think they were born with a license, but we need to remember that we were there once too. Keep trying and you'll love it. Most people who work in surgery wouldn't want to work anywhere else. If, after a year or so, you find that it's not for you, you can find something else.

Marvie · Nov 28, 2003

I graduated May 2002, passed the NCLEX and went to the OR in July 2002. I was informed that the perioperative program would begin in Sept, althought mid October is really when it began. I am very discouraged and seriously thinking of leaving the OR for another area at a different facility. My supervisor has had her favorites, which I am not one of. There have been many times I have been "thrown to the wolves" and ended up called into the office to "explain" myself. I have had a doctor call me rude when he was the one without a name bage on and I "dared" to ask him his name. I have been written up for what was told to me was a serious patient safty factor, even though I did not bring the patient back to the room because she had not received her pre-op meds and "I caused a delay and incited the doctor to be mad at the pre-op people". I am very discouraged because the whole reason I did this periop program was because I was told that I would be taught everything I needed to know, including how to deal with the difficult people. Honestly, I was never given that training, just one day told, "your on your own, kiddo" I have had a very frustrating time because I have to defend myself all the time against some people who have made my work atmosphere a bad experience. They will write me up for various things, even though some serious things I witnessed and wrote up those reports are "not around" Interestingly, how convenient for them to just be gone. I was told I was on suspension because I was "rude and discurteous" even though I have had doctors assault me by throwing scalpels at me, shove papers into my face and critisize and humiliate me because I am hearing impaired. I love the OR, but not the way this one is run, and how we got trained I really need others input and advise. Thank you for your time to whoever is reading this.

Chrislynn2003 · Nov 28, 2003

Wow, I am sorry to hear this. You should NOT be treated like this under any circumstances. If you most certaintly can leave this area, I would. Are there any other OR;s that you've heard of wtih a good reputation? I just began in the OR this September, but from what've you've said, I have never had anybody treat me that rudely. I signed a contract for 2 years in my facility and if we break it, it's $5000 that we owe. Aside from that, do you feel that you are comfortable working in teh OR? Do you scrub and circulate? Just wondering when the comfort/competent feeling comes; some say it takes a good year. Good luck to you.

Christine

yoga crna · Dec 1, 2003

I am not a new grad, nor am I an OR Nurse. But I am the manager of an office surgery unit and work with some outstanding OR nurses. (I administer the anesthesia, as well as run the facility).

My advise to you new grads who are working in the OR is to figure out who is the best OR nurse in your facility and ask a million questions to him or her. If they are really good, they will be happy to mentor you.

Also, learn the politics of the operating room and how to play the game. Surgeons have huge egos and try to hide their inadequacies and stress. A few compliments go a long way. Ask them questions about the surgery (if the question and the timing are appropriate) and learn as much as you can about the instruments, equipment and techniques. ORs are surgeon and equipment oriented and good OR nurses have to learn how to juggle those things with patient care.

In my many years of professional practice in the operating room, I love administering anesthesia and forming close bonds with my patients, nursing staff and surgeons. It is a wonderlully intimate place; but it is not for everyone.

YogaCRNA

RN Zeke · Dec 1, 2003

I agree with you Yoga 100%! The or does eat their young. You may "see one", "do one", and then "teach one" of anything. It is very fast paced with many different personalities, under great distress and stress. Moving literally tons of equipment and knowing how to run and trouble shoot equipment does take at least a year in a small hospital. Anticipating what might happen and being ready for it comes with time and other staff helping you learn. Everyone has to be a team player. Everyone has to mop the floor and carry trash, (sooner than their hands ever thought) to help expidite cases along. Your hospital may or may not require you to learn what surgical assistants and surgical techs do and how to scrub a case. Good luck!

RU2003 · Dec 12, 2003

I am also a new RN grad hired in the OR. I am currently taking the OR class my facility offers. I feel very overwhelmed. I will start working on different cases with my preceptor next week. I would appreciate any tips anyone can offer. Everyone keeps informing me all this new information will come together in a year. I hope so....

Thanks.

MelWally · Mar 23, 2004

Chrislynn,

I was a new grad in the OR many years ago and since then have done every job possible in Perioperative Nursing. The OR requires a lot of learning constantly you never stop learning new things, people, procedures, and hiding places. We have a saying that whenever you have learned something new in the OR you can go home but in reality everyone would go home before their shift even began. It takes some time before you begin to feel comfortable in this environment.

Try to consistently be assigned to one or two specialty areas if possible to get repitition and feel comfortable sooner. Ask your educator or charge nurse if this is possible.

You might also consider Ambulatory Surgery Centers or Outpatient OR's they are more fast paced but tend to be more repetitive in nature. Also many private owned ASC's are more staff friendly and are fun places to work without tears.

giaryan · Apr 3, 2004

In 1975 I was a new graduate in the OR. Yes, it is stressfull. Very honestly, I didn't feel comfortable going to work for about a year and a half. I have remained in the OR my entire career. During that time I have done many things in OR Education. I developed and implemented an OR Nurse Internship program 6 months in length at both hospitals I have worked in. I functioned to the level of Director of Perioperative Services but the real love is in teaching. Hang in there and absorb as much as you can. Read, observe and get the most you can out of it. I have just started a new experience developing a AAS Degree at a Community College for Surgical Technology. Everyone needs to learn and feel compfortable in the OR environment.

I am a new RN grad that just started working in the OR in October. I am feeling overwhelmed and sometimes go home crying. I was just wondering how other people felt after starting in the OR. Did it take a while to get adjusted to the swing of things? Thanks for any input.
Christine

angelaADSN · Apr 28, 2004

Well you brought back some memories! I graduated in 5/2000. I went straight to the OR/PACU. I had to learn to scrub, circulate, PACU, and also ambulatory care. When I was learning to scrub I know I went home and cried almost every day for about 3 months! I didn't know if I was going to be able to hang because we were not taught all of this in nursing school and it was alot to grasp at once. Now, I am the jack of all trades back in surgery and I am a whole hell of alot at ease than when I first started. I mostly circulate now. I was offered the Team Leader in my dept last week, really do not want it at all! I have come a long way. I get a long with the doctors well and my co-workers. So hang in there! Good luck! :balloons:

mjbsn2006 · May 26, 2004

I have considered working in the OR after graduating. Would you recommend working in Med/Surg for a year, before going to the OR? Would that make the transition easier?

Well you brought back some memories! I graduated in 5/2000. I went straight to the OR/PACU. I had to learn to scrub, circulate, PACU, and also ambulatory care. When I was learning to scrub I know I went home and cried almost every day for about 3 months! I didn't know if I was going to be able to hang because we were not taught all of this in nursing school and it was alot to grasp at once. Now, I am the jack of all trades back in surgery and I am a whole hell of alot at ease than when I first started. I mostly circulate now. I was offered the Team Leader in my dept last week, really do not want it at all! I have come a long way. I get a long with the doctors well and my co-workers. So hang in there! Good luck! :balloons:

shudokan-RN · May 26, 2004

For All You New Or Nurses , Don't loose heart. Get a small 3x4 note book, and keep a brain. for ex.

Dr x

Lap chole

bed position, medications, bovie settings, surgeon glove size, where he or she likes the foot pedal. what you will need if it goes open, or needs CBDE

any extra equip you need in room etc...

do this for every case..great cheat sheet, and you wont be frantically scanning the preference card.

also print off pref. cards the day before (no patient names (hippa) )

and go over them the night before you will feel much more prepared.

I know this sound brown nosy, but ask the surgeon, and anesthesiologist what you can do to improve..

and remember Team work.. always help others, and use please and thank you

kindness begets kindness

Good Luck

Marci :)