Attn: Nurses hired into the OR within the last 6 months to a year!

WhoDatWhoDare, BSN, RN · Feb 9, 2015

I love high acuity/stressful situations, I like to be kept on my toes, I never want to strive for normalcy. But for some reason it sounds bad in my head to say that bc I do not want to offend anyone who may want that or came from that. I could be over thinking this as well. I'm trying very hard to monitor my brain-mouth malfunction too. Thank you for your feedback too!!

Congrats on the interview. Hopefully you'll get the position.

I will say that unless you'll be at a Level 1 Trauma center, chances are that you will find that there is quite a bit of normalcy in our role as a circulator and stressful situations will with any luck be separated by long periods of less stress. The Doctor Preference Cards will have their "normal" settings and positioning on it to help reduce the stress. However things can change in an instant in the OR... e.g. when a surgical resident punctures the esophagus or there is a bleed that can't be found quickly... These are definitely stressful, but you'll find you will welcome the calmness of "normalcy", haha.

Good luck

BCooper77 · Feb 11, 2015

Congrats on the interview. Hopefully you'll get the position.
I will say that unless you'll be at a Level 1 Trauma center, chances are that you will find that there is quite a bit of normalcy in our role as a circulator and stressful situations will with any luck be separated by long periods of less stress. The Doctor Preference Cards will have their "normal" settings and positioning on it to help reduce the stress. However things can change in an instant in the OR... e.g. when a surgical resident punctures the esophagus or there is a bleed that can't be found quickly... These are definitely stressful, but you'll find you will welcome the calmness of "normalcy", haha.
Good luck

Thank you! Actually, the hospital will be a Level 1 Trauma center at the end of the summer! Super excited! I now have a new question. I understand the cost associated with educating and training a new hire especially for Periop, however, a 2 year contract was mentioned. I will not be getting a sign on bonus of any sort so exactly what does that entail? My husband's job may request him to relocate and even though it's not in the immediate future, I can't say for sure it won't be for another 2 years. Advice? Any experience with these contracts and how binding they are? Thank you everyone!! :confused:

NedRN · Feb 11, 2015

How binding is a contract? It wouldn't be a contract if there were not binding terms. Releasing you after you get $30,000 or more of training would be up to them. You can read the contract terms though, there is no way it will reflect the true cost of training if you bail. Your husband cannot turn down the request, and/or you cannot finish your contract without him there? It is a job that is worth a two year commitment from your husband too.

BCooper77 · Feb 11, 2015

I do agree with what you say. However, he's seeing the trends in his company and he's seeing that they are consolidating lines of business into one and laying off employees. There have been a few discussions about the willingness to relocate to Seattle. He's concerned that if he refuses that he will be the next one to get laid off. I'll just have to wait to see the terms of the contract before making my final decision. He makes WAY more than I do and we could live off of savings for a little bit but it's a risk too. Makes me a little nervous. :uhoh3:

NedRN · Feb 11, 2015

I hope he is looking for another company to work for! It is a lot easier to get a job before being laid off. He may not get offered a transfer. You really don't want to bail your two year contract 3 months in.

How far is Seattle from where you live now? I would also check on how the OR schedules. My first unit (not an OR) had 6 week scheduling and you could fill your commitment anywhere in those 6 weeks. OR is unlikely to be that flexible, but you may be able to work 6 12s in a row across a weekend and have 8 days off. After you are off orientation of course which is likely somewhere between 6 months to a year.

Kellz321 · Jun 3, 2015

I was just hired for an operating room internship as well!!!! I will learn to circulate and scrub and I am very excited:x3:. My training program is 6 months with 4-5 weeks didactic and at least 24 hrs hands on within these weeks. What books do you all have to purchase? I have to get Alexanders Care of the Patient in Surgery, Essentials of Perioperative nursing, and a pocket guide. I have also been told to take notes on what each surgeon likes because they can be a little particular. I am very excited for us all!!!!

Editorial Team / Admin · Jun 3, 2015

I was just hired for an operating room internship as well!!!! I will learn to circulate and scrub and I am very excited:x3:. My training program is 6 months with 4-5 weeks didactic and at least 24 hrs hands on within these weeks. What books do you all have to purchase? I have to get Alexanders Care of the Patient in Surgery, Essentials of Perioperative nursing, and a pocket guide. I have also been told to take notes on what each surgeon likes because they can be a little particular. I am very excited for us all!!!!

I didn't have to purchase any books, and frankly I'm surprised that you aren't being provided a copy. My program provided us with the then current edition of Alexander's and AORN Standards and Recommended Practices. I would definitely first see if your facility doesn't at least have a library where you can check these out- that's going to be quite the expense up front.

Kellz321 · Jun 9, 2015

Thanks for the advice!!! I will look into this because those books are pretty pricey!

jollydogg_RN, ADN, BSN · Jun 19, 2015

I'm starting a six month perioperative residency program in July at a level 1 trauma center. I can't wait. Look forward to reading future posts and making some of my own!

And yeah, those two books are like $295.00 from the AORN website. Ouch!

BarbaraNM, ASN, RN · Jul 2, 2015

This is a great thread!! I am also starting an OR Nurse Residency program next week. I am so excited but also a little nervous. The program is 6 months and utilizes the AORN's Periop 101 curriculum. They do provide the Alexander's text but I bought my own copy. There is a 2 year contract after training.

I would love love to hear from others in this thread that started their training program... How was it??!!

sippee · Aug 26, 2015

I recently accepted an OR position and will start this month. I'm beyond excited! I'm still trying to find my niche in nursing and I have a good feeling about this. My question is for those who have started within the last 6 months to a year, how are you liking it so far? How is orientation going? I know there is a huge learning curve and I'm prepared to take it one day at a time. Any tips you could suggested from your experience so far? I come with ICU experience.
For anybody who has more than a year of experience in OR, feel free to input as well! I'm curious to see the perspective of those still in or just finishing up the 6-9 month orientation.

The OR is black or white.. You either love it or you hate it . I loved it!!! It takes time but it will click

kaw245 · Aug 28, 2015

Congrats on the new OR job!

I have worked in the OR for almost 15 years now. It is definitely different than any other department. Don't worry about not being comfortable, or feeling like you have no idea what's going on, it takes a good year or even two to feel like you know what you are doing. Most everything will feel like a new learning experience.

Good luck!