circulator OR, new grad, too fast paced?

GadgetRN71, ASN, RN · Jun 24, 2011

Training for the OR can last anywhere from 6 months to a year. There is a lot to learn, even if you are going to be exclusively a circulator.

You've only been at it 7 weeks. You're still new. One day, it'll all just click.

Good luck! :)

4_Sq · Jun 25, 2011

Do not be deterred by comments like we are waiting on you... everyone of us went through this learning process. As you are a new grad sometimes it can be a bit intimidating, just do plenty of advance reading etc. and with time you will wonder why things like catheterizing made you nervous.

Do your best, put your heart & soul into it and that's all anyone can do. I would say give it at least 6 months to 1 year before you even begin to question whether or not you should go to med surg.

It is really satisfying place to work once you get the hang of it.

Good luck, all the best to you. :up:

lockheart678 · Jun 25, 2011

Don't give up just yet. The OR really does have a huge learning curve, and you've only just begun. Believe it or not, one day (even if it is a year from now), you will have that moment where it suddenly makes sense. Ignore the people who make comments about you being too slow. They all had to learn at one time as well, and if they want to work with a competent nurse, they're going to have to give you that time to get it down too. Go at the pace that you need to in order to do things correctly. You'll speed up with time. Also, you should look at the next day's schedule before you go home so you can see what surgeries you'll be doing and you can research them beforehand. It's a lot easier to anticipate what you'll need for the surgery if you understand what the surgeon is actually doing. If you have the money to spend, I would suggest looking into purchasing Alexander's Care of the Patient in Surgery. It is an excellent resource and I only wish I would have gotten it way sooner than I did.

I felt like I had a lot of trouble when I was new as well. I remember when I was working with my preceptor, every single time I had to put in a foley, I wouldn't be able to get it in and she had to take over for me. Then, my first day circulating on my own, I had to put in a foley. I was so nervous that I was going to mess it up like I had every other one and the surgeon would have to do it for me, but that never happened. 3 years later, I can count on one hand the number of times I've had to get assistance from a surgeon. Circulating traumas was another huge fear of mine. The surgeons are highly stressed, and when they ask for something, they need it now. I had no idea how I would ever keep up with their demands, but when I didn't have time to stop and think about something, I just did what I needed and things got done. It's so crazy to think about how stupid I felt when I was new and how it seemed like I could never do anything right. I swear, my preceptor was always getting on me about the same things every day. It seemed like most of the doctors (and some of the scrub techs too) wouldn't even acknowledge that I was in the room unless I did something wrong. Now, whenever the surgeon walks into the room and sees that I'm the circulator, they're happy to see me. It was an extremely stressful period for me when I was learning the basics, but when I look at how far I've come, it was totally worth it.

CaliLvr000, BSN, RN · Jun 26, 2011

Don't give up. I am a new grad as well working in the OR. I totally understand what you are feeling because I feel the same way. I started in February in our hospitals new grad program, so I only had a few days a week in the OR. But now that I am in the OR every day things are starting to click. They let me circulate my own room recently and my hands shook all day! I am just nervous I will forget something, or do something wrong. I made it through and the day went well.

I definitely move slower then the seasoned nurses but that is understandable. It takes years to get the flow down and be able to care for the patient, chart, check in specimens etc in a timely manner. Sometimes I just have to chart at the end of the case and thats just how it has to be.

I look up cases the night before and find that really helps. Take notes in a little note book of things you keep forgetting.

I hate it when surgeons are scrubbed in watching me put in a foley/prep. It makes me nervous but oh well. I have been called picasa because it takes me longer to prep lol. We are learning and it just takes time and repetition. Don't give up, just give it time and don't be afraid to ask for help.

NurseSnarky · Jun 27, 2011

Best compliment I had a couple of weeks ago by a grumpy surgeon was when he came into the room...lifted back the blankets and started to frog-leg the patient only to say, "oh you got the foley in already, that was quick!" Then he walked out into the hall to scrub...lol! I got a bit nervous as he's VERY particular and even preps certain cases himself...so I was worried that he expected to put in the foley (not on his card, so thought I was good to go, so I went!)...scrub tech said I was good. Surgeon usually has to wait around for circ to place foley...so he was impressed apparently. :)

Anyway I was very nervous too when I started, and the timing...well just gonna tell ya (IMHO) no amount of med/surg experience will help you with OR timing, etc. I worked tele, ICU, and the OR is just different period. It's repetition, learning where everything is, taking notes, and more repetition. And as others stated, the orientation is much longer than in other nursing areas for that reason and the learning curve. It just is what it is. I started in a new place (VERY fast paced) and I felt like I would never get it. I can get out of my rhythm some days and I just have to say, "next time." Even the seasoned nurses get out of sync some days. It's the OR...you just have to go with it. :)

Stick with it and cut yourself some slack. I used to freak over foleys...but best advice I got was "find the pucker". And sometimes you need help...key is to identify that you do asap and get someone to help you. No matter what it is, not just foleys.

LAM2010, BSN · Jun 27, 2011

There are times when you think you're doing great and getting it, and then one day you'll feel like all of a sudden you're not again... but then you get it back the next day or so... I mean it really IS a big learning curve. I always felt it was the best place to start out as a nurse, though... :) Anyway, you got into the OR - don't leave! LOL!

I used to feel horribly nervous about foleys! I never did ONE while I was in nursing school. Everyone used to stress that they wouldn't get to do one before they graduated. Now (I've been out of school and in the OR for a year and a half now) I can't believe I was ever nervous about it. :)

kat von b · Jun 28, 2011

I started in the OR in November as practically a new grad (2 months in a rehab facility doesn't count). We recently graduated from our orientation program and I have been on my own for a few weeks now. Every day I feel more and more comfortable. I don't know it all and I still get nervous about certain cases/surgeons but I think I'm better at hiding it and I know that there are always resources a phone call away if I need something. If you love the OR stick with it!! In a few months you'll look back and see how far you have come!

fusionfire32 · Jun 29, 2011

id say to the surgeon wait a bit more because at the end of the day you dont want to harm the patient and learning new set of skills take a lot of time. be patient with yourself and hang in there. give yourself a chance.

you are doing well just hang in there as i said earlier

elgin1962 · Jul 3, 2011

Surgeons love to make comments and see if they can ruffle your feathers. I was in your shoes about 20 yrs ago and in spite of having 9 yrs exp. as a scrub tech in open heart, learning to circulate was enough to make me really feel like a newbie all over again. I've had surgeons kick my prep stand across the room while I'm prepping and I just calmly say, "so, I guess we're done prepping?" I've had them scream "get me somebody in here who knows what they're doing!" You get all kinds and many are just gruff and impatient no matter who is in the room. Over the years I found it was just a matter of time, when everything clicks for a new grad. It takes a minimum of a year to feel competent and more than that before I felt I could handle anything that came through the door. As you become a familiar face, the crew will trust you, trust that you know what you're doing and back off. Best advice I ever got from a preceptor was to remember that when the surgeon is yelling and you know you've done your very best, it's about HIM, not about you. Get feedback whenever possible, after the fact, so you can see where you have room to improve. As I got more and more years under my belt in the OR, I found that as the stress level of the room became higher, the more focused and quiet I got, so that I could anticipate what the needs of the team would be and have these things ready. The OR is truly a team environment and as you begin to understand how it all works you will find your place, the day will come whe you know what to do without having to think so hard. You'll go home never more exhausted but never more proud of yourself for sticking it out. It's all downhill from there. There will always be new things to learn and days you feel like you're starting all over again. But once you get over this hump, new things will be so much easier to learn. How you feel right now is exactly where you should be. Hang in there.

GadgetRN71, ASN, RN · Jul 4, 2011

OP, realize that those of us who were scrub techs first in the OR still had a rough time of it at first..for someone who is completely new to the OR environment, it can be even harder.

Be kind to yourself- you'll get it.

canesdukegirl, BSN, RN · Jul 4, 2011

OP, check your PM. I sent you a rather lengthy message regarding your post.