Dodged that bullet...

[elizabells, BSN, RN]

So, I don't know if anyone remembers me, but I was posting in here a few months ago about trying to transfer from the NICU to our peds OR and having no luck despite 5 open positions. Turns out that they're so short that they don't have anyone to train people to those open positions. And in the last few weeks, the following things have happened:

A nurse ended up staying 36 hours, passed out during a case, and had to be taken out of the OR on a gurney.

A nurse went into premature labor immediately following mandated overtime.

Holy heck! I guess I'll give joining the OR ranks another shot when things calm down a little down there!

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

Sometimes the red flag waves, other times it's joined by bells and whistles.

[elizabells, BSN, RN]

Haaahaaa, I forgot about this. Funny thing, two days after I posted that they called me for an interview. I went, to be a good sport, and ended up shadowing for a day, and it was a hot mess. Like, stuff was missing from a tray and it was only caught mid-case, someone had to run to another room, in which a case was in progress, grab the instruments from a tray in there, and flash it. It was made *very* clear to me by several of the nurses that the only reason anyone in the room I was in got lunch that day was because I was there, and the boss wanted me to think they actually ever got lunch, which they don't.

Oh, and did I mention they're getting EAP for *everyone* who works on the floor to help them cope with how shortstaffed they've been? The NM flat out admitted to me that the only reason she was calling me is they're so desperate that they're willing to break their own rule about only hiring nurses with OR experience.

I respectfully declined. Obvy.

[shodobe]

Goes to show you that finding experienced OR nurses are harder than you think! Curious to what part of the country you are posting from? This will make difference on the reason why they can't find experienced nurses. It is better to have an enthusiastic person willing to learn the ropes than to have an experienced person set in their ways not always bending to change. Fortunately, most of those types are far and few. Good luck!

[elizabells, BSN, RN]

New York City, actually, at the "top" hospital, and I use that very laughingly, even though I do work there already.

I think everyone just knows how bad the staffing is, really.

[loricatus]

xxxxx

[prmenrs, RN]

Please DON'T mention the name of the facility!! We dont' need the lawsuit!

Liz---glad you saw the light!!

[Fun2, BSN, RN]

I think the "missing" instrument could happen anywhere, but should be caught by a count before the case started.

Too bad you are in a place that doesn't have enough people to train OR nurses. I absolutely love the OR...even with the rat race that it can be at times!! :)

When the time is right for you, the right position, at the right facility will open up for you...and you will know it's the one.