Bad Day as a New Grad in OR

[ORNurse33]

Hi everyone. I've been lurking around these forums for a while but this is my first time actually posting.

Last week I had what I considered to be a bad day at work. I started as a new grad over a month ago and I was told that I would first learn how to scrub. Although I picked up the basics scrubbing relatively fast without any previous training or experience whatsoever (I could probably scrub the simpler general cases by myself at this point), I am still quite slow in my set up and a little clumsy sometimes passing instruments. I was assigned to an ortho room and had no idea what the instruments were even called, but felt as if i were still expected to know what was going on. I can see some of the tech's eyes roll when I tell them that I don't know what or where something is or am too slow setting up etc. and have this feeling that they probably talk about how bad I am when I am not around.

I understand that the OR is a fast paced environment, but it's just disheartening when people seem disappointed when you are assigned to be in their room, although this is not the case with everyone I've worked with (there are other techs that are always willing to teach). I guess what I'm trying to say is does it get any better as a new grad? I've had many good days that I enjoy so much, but these bad ones seem to do a good job of bringing me down. Also, do you guys have any advice or tips that may help when dealing with these people or just OR tips in general?

Thanks.

[canesdukegirl, BSN, RN]

First of all, stop beating yourself up. The OR is a vast and intimidating environment for anyone. There is so much to learn, and you can't do it all in one month, or even one year. It takes time, and these techs know that.

Ortho has probably the most instrumentation of all the services in the OR. You have trays upon trays of stuff. Don't worry about having to learn it all during this rotation. You will more than likely have a rep in the room, so ask them questions...that's why they are there.

It is good to hear that you are picking up quickly. Just let those nay-sayers keep rolling their eyes. Try not to let it get you down too much...they were once where you are now.

[daVinciNurse]

Can you choose what your assignment will be each day? If so, try to pick the cases where you will be with the staff you know enjoy teaching. That's what I did when I had started a new job......the charge nurse let me pick where I wanted to be each day...of course, sometimes I had to be with someone who doesn't like teaching, but it was usually case-specific, as in one nurse does ALL of dr. so-and-so's cases, so if I wanted to learn them, I had to be paired with that nurse. Hang in there, take it one case at a time, and you will get the hang of it. Speed comes with time. Once you have done a set-up over and over again, you learn to do it without even thinking about it, it becomes automatic. But after one month, you are still thinking about each and every step while you set up. You'll be fine. :) And as long as you have a mayo at the ready with a knife, a bovie, a scissor, and some clamps, suction, light handles, sponges and a forcep, you can start any case! Keep the surgeon busy while you finish arranging your table if need be. And remember, just b/c the pt is rolled in, you don't need to have everything set up. The pt still needs to be transferred to the OR table, anesthesia needs to be started, then positioning, foley (if needed), prep, etc...so you have a few minutes.

[ALORNurse]

I am also a new grad in the OR and I have been in my job for a month. Sometimes it blows my mind how awesome these people are in the OR because it is like they know what is going to happen before it does and can get things done so quickly when I can't!!! But I just keep in mind that everyone was new once! I have had a great experience so far (of course I have only been on one service, start my next one Monday). I tell myself that most of the time it really isnt personal if you get yelled at, these folks just know their stuff and can get a little frustrated when they get slowed down, but there is a reason that orientation in the OR is six months or longer!! I havent met one person yet that has not said it took them about a year to feel comfortable in the OR, so just remember we have ONLY been there for a month!

Congratulate yourself on your victories and learn from your mistakes and I think you will be just fine! Sounds like you have had more good days than bad and that is always a plus!!

Good luck to you:)

[smiley33]

How does a new grad get into an OR? I can't even get a hospital interview!! The OR is where I always wanted to be.....maybe someday. Everybody wants "experienced" nurses.....How do we get the experience if nobody will hire us? Just saying.... :) Best of Luck to you guys.....chin up....keep smiling

[Argo]

How does a new grad get into an OR? I can't even get a hospital interview!! The OR is where I always wanted to be.....maybe someday. Everybody wants "experienced" nurses.....How do we get the experience if nobody will hire us? Just saying.... :) Best of Luck to you guys.....chin up....keep smiling

You apply to the jobs anyway, even when it asks for experience. These jobs are posted and stay posted for a long time because there arent enough OR nurses out there. We train them and train them but given the higher stress and learning curve of it, alot of people dont cut it or quit within the first year..... Places that are really hurting will train people if they cant hire experience....

[ORNurse33]

Thank you everyone for the encouraging words and advice. I'm trying my best to suck it up and kind of not let it get to me when it feels like some of the staff don't want me in the room. Unfortunately, I can't pick my assignments, otherwise I would just pick general cases where I am very comfortable scrubbing in.

I'll try my best to update you guys on my progress.