Does your OR have an educator?

SandraCVRN · Jan 4, 2009

We have 1 FT educator, works 7-3. Handles weekly inservice, gives breaks if available, runs rooms if needed. She also brings in lots of goodies. Does a good job within the limits we all have to work with.

lindaloo51 · Jan 5, 2009

We have one educator who is also a regular circulator. She precepts in the rooms. There are also several of us who are regular preceptors. (No extra pay for any of us). Our educator does get 1 or 2 days a month as education days when she can plan and do research. If there is a question about how to do something, she is a great resource person. I did this job for 4 or 5 years and found it to be quite rewarding. We did have one educator that was very difficult to work with.

I'm happy with the one we have now and has the same philosophy as me that a nurse should know how to scrub before she learns how to circulate. If we can ever get enough staff hired and trained, life will be good.

karnit · Jan 7, 2009

If so, does the educator ever do cases or give breaks? What hours does an educator work?

Hi linda! I still can't figure out what this is all about.......is an "Educator" a "Practitioner"?

Sorry,have to get this straight.

lindaloo51 · Jan 10, 2009

Our educator is also a regular staff nurse as well as being the person in charge of new staff orientation and continuing education for current staff.

We are a small hospital (99 beds) and we do about 30 procedures a day. No neuro or open heart. Staff is required to cover all services. (general, gyne, vascular, orthopedics, urology, endoscopy etc.) In an average day, I may scrub a total hip then circulate a bowel resection.

So you see, our educator has her work cut out for her. She has to stay current in all areas and help the rest of us do the same.

mactheknife · Jan 10, 2009

I am an OR Supervisor and I have a Educational Coordinator and an Educator. The coordinator ensures that the inservice the staff attend is correctly recorded and books lectures from outside people like company reps. She works in Recovery Room and does her fair share of work.The educator arranges inservice training which is done either by him or one of the staff. We have one in-service a week. He scrubs when needed and makes sure everybody gets a break every day. It is in his job description. Basically they do this because I told them that this is what I expect of them. Perhaps it is your OR Supervisor that needs to catch a wake up. Is she even aware of this, and does she spend time in her unit.

truejewel82 · Mar 3, 2009

Our OR has a wonderful OR educator...She does alot of work actually, since her job is more in management level there is alot that goes on behind the scenes that we don't see. but, besides that she is just a beautiful individual, I was taught by her the first 2 weeks, scrubbed with her once and then I was sent off to fly. She seems to be very involved with everyone's progress but I perhaps she does take her job a little too seriously sometimes. Better that than someone who just puts up signs all day long.

maeyken · Mar 5, 2009

We have one FT educator, who unfortunately is pretty much useless. Plus you'd never know she works full time as she's always going away to "conferences" and such. Too bad the rest of us can't get time off to go. I wish we had a good educator.

Oh, and the only time we see our educator in the OR is when she is "spying" on us or telling us what we're doing wrong. Never helps out with anything.

shaomai · Mar 16, 2009

Wow, some of you are really slamming the OR educator! I am an OR educator for a large OR. Yes, I do hang the signs and make sure the staff get their stuff done, but I give breaks, lunches and I even circulate for a full day. The job is demanding as for I have to be updated on the latest and have do quite a bit of research. It is a tough job, but I enjoy it immensely. I am sorry that a lot of you feel that way about your educator.