Can Circulating Nurse Sit?

Ferret · Feb 7, 2004

G'day All,

Over time i've worked out that if you PRETEND you know what you're doing, people assume you do, there is less pressure, and you have time to work out your next move. I've always been praised for keeping a cool head in a crisis, and not freaking out when RN's much more senior are running around like chooks with their heads cut off. (Most recently as a student RN on the wards) An old trick I learnt as a volunteer in St. John Ambulance, amazing how effective it's been over the years.

As for stressesd out people, the most amazing case I saw was when a VERY experianced clinical nurse specialist scrub/scout in charge of ENT theatre, burst into tears when a registrar dropped his end of a drape, she rushed out of the room and took some time to calm down. I knew she'd done the case thousands of times before, and I was happy to hand her another drape..... weird. I never did work out if there were other issues in her life at the time, I sure as hell hope so, otherwise she was taking the job WAY too seriously.

Have Fun, Jason 8^)

orrnlori, RN · Feb 8, 2004

I scrub and circulate. I've worked with some great scrubs like the one with the message written on his gown. Some people just make the day go so much better.

A good circulator can easily sit during cases, our program has no problem with it. Because I scrub as well, when I circulate I always have some supplies they "may" need nearby. I watch the field and almost always dispense what is needed before it is even asked for by the doc or the scrub. I sit every chance I get. I'm 48 years old but I think nursing years is more the equivalent of dogs years, thus I feel 98 many days.

I work at a university hospital because I love the autonomy given the nurses, I love working with residents, and it's so much more relaxed than being out in the private world. I would never work anywhere where the circulator was expected to stand. If the circulator wants to knit while the case is ongoing, that's fine as long as she's johnny on the spot when I ask for something as a scrub nurse. I expect my coworkers to work as hard as I do and I expect them to be attentive to the case. You can still have music playing, you can still tell jokes. Yes, surgery is important stuff, but nothing says you have to be miserable doing it.

lorijay · Feb 16, 2004

In our OR we sit but some people don't approve. However we always make sure we are able to hear and see whats going on on the field.

mcmike55 · Feb 19, 2004

In a reply to if circulators should sit during a case, I think why not!

Many of our cases last not much more than an hour, but as long as the RN is paying attention, and have the time, why not sit.

We, in the past, had nurses that liked to do cross word puzzles, etc. That has stopped, thank goodness.

But bottom line, if you are paying attention and doing your job, sit if you can!

I've been in the OR for over 20 years, I need all the help I can get!! :chuckle

JaneQ · Mar 10, 2004

I just want to know where in the He?? do they have "custom" chairs for circulators?

Was it in a private surgery office for a group of High Powered Plastic Surgeon's in New York maybe on Fifth Ave?? Just Curious..............

Maybe I could have a job like that someday!

nellie_nurse812 · Mar 30, 2004

Why would they not want us to sit? We have stools in each room and can use the as needed...............

ceecel.dee, MSN, RN · Jun 8, 2004

Of course we can sit! What we need engaged at all times is our eyes, ears and brains...not our butts, backs and feet!

angel03 · Jul 30, 2004

My old educator was a "miss AORN" type and for good reason. When I went to a new hospital the circulators were reading cooking magazines and copying down recipes with their backs to the field. I was so appalled. I used to make fun of the "miss AORN" types but after seeing that display of unprofessionalism I take back my jokes! The scrub would ask for a suture or something and the nurse couldn't rip her eyes from her magazine! "Sure, doc I'll get when I'm done with this article."

When I was trained the circulator stood at the bottom of the field and concentated on the surgery anticipating the needs of the surgeon and scrub....we only sat when the surgeon sat.......I believe that this has gone by the way side....I do sit to do my paperwork but my ear is always to the field....I don't think their is anything wrong with sitting as long as you are attentive...THIS MEANS NOT DOING CROSSWORD PUZZELS OR READING an AVON BOOK......I find it very distasteful and non professional when I see some of my peers doing this......As I have stated before the patient is #1 and if that were your loved one would you want someone engrossed in word search???????

nurselily3 · Jan 13, 2005

Girl,

You need to find yourself a chair before the case begins. Take care of everyone else, but don't forget yourself.