Bye Bye NICU, Hello Main OR

[KK7724]

I have been a NICU nurse for 4 years. I recently had a baby in October of 2008. Lately (and even before my daughter was born), I am just burnt-out on NICU. Tired of nights, tired of the emotionally draining chronic babies, tired of ungrateful parents, just tired and ready for a change....too much stress and it's not making me the mommy I want to be.

So, I decided to interview in the Main OR. I liked surgery during my nursing school clinicals. I also have 2 co-workers that left and went to the OR in our hospital's newest facility (Heart and Vascular surgeries). They LOVE it!

I shadowed over there, but there were no jobs there. I got the one in the Main OR and I believe we have 21 operating rooms, are a Level I trauma center, teaching hospital, many many services etc.

I will go through a 5 month orientation. I will scrub and circulate. I will tell my mgr towards the end of my orientation which 3 services are my favorite and I will spend 3 extra weeks in each of those.

Now, the reason for posting....I'm scared now! I'm leaving something that is making me feel burnt out, but is at least familiar. I like to do a good job and I don't like feeling stupid. I don't particularly like being yelled at either! The nurse manager is really great and so is the educator, so I am hopeful it will be good. She already warned me it was going to feel overwhelming at first.

I really really like the idea of working dayshift, working better hours, and really hope this is a good fit. With my background in Peds/Perinatal, do you guys think I can hack it??

[linda2097]

Apples and oranges.

You are about to learn a completely different job. Expect to feel dumb for at least a year.

And get ready to do a lot of heavy lifting. Lots of heavy equipment.

The good news is that you are used to high stress levels.

Just do your best, be strong, and you will do fine.

[MamaCheese]

It sounds like a great orientation program so you'll definitely be well prepared when you are cut loose. You will feel beyond stupid for one full year. After that year is up I'd be very surprised if you weren't 100% happy with your decision to go to OR nursing.

If you work in an OR like mine you will always be relieved for lunch. almost always get your am and pm break, and always have someone there to catch you if you fall. Good luck.

[jnl2000]

Welcome to the Wonderful world of the OR! And I mean that . This is the best change I ever made in Nursing.

[samswim4]

So how's your orientation in the OR going so far?!

[c_loveya]

Congrats! Best of luck to you during your orientation. It's definitely a steep learning curve so don't become discouraged early on. You will make some mistakes that will make you feel dumb as nails but just don't take it personally. I'm still in my orientation and it's been nothing but overwhelming. It is quite fantastic when you realize you are able to solo scrub a big case!