help a new scrub nurse

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Specializes in med-surg, L&D.

I oriented as a scrub nurse 3 times but I still don't quite have the hang of it. I don't exactly know the general order to hand off the instruments. The doctor was upset with me because he said I was supposed to know which instruments he wanted before he even asked for them. Can someone please help me? Also does anyone know any mnemonics or anything like that for remembering the types of instruments and maybe the order to hand them off in? Any help is greatly appreciated.

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Specializes in ED.

does your facility offer a periop program? All of the scrub nurses and circ nurses have to take these classes before they can work in the OR. If they don't have one, ask to see if any of the other scrub nurses would be willing to mentor you for a while.

Now, take all that with a grain of salt. I'm just a student but I shadow in the OR during the weeks off and one of my good friends is a scrub nurse so I get all my info from her. ;)

I think this is a job that really takes a lot of solid work experience.

Good luck!!!

meredith

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Too many variables to make a handy list for you. It varies from procedure to procedure and surgeon to surgeon. The best thing you can do is learn the common procedures and learn the order in which things are done. One solid tip I can give you is to pay attention to the surgical site. If you see a vessel or something bleeding, get ready to hand off a hemostat!

ETA: I just realized you said you've only scrubbed in 3 times. The part of learning which instruments to hand off without a doc telling you what they want is called "anticipation." This skill takes at least 6 months to a year to acquire. You're not going to have this skill immediately or within 3 days of orientation. Kindly tell the surgeon that you are new and learning and you're doing your best. It won't put all of them at ease, but some are more willing to "teach" you than others.

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Are you primariliy scrubbing c-sections? If you are, then I can provide you with a handy-dandy study guide/procedure guide. PM me.

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Specializes in med-surg, L&D.

Although I work at a small hospital, our OB department actually has their own ORs and they require us (OB nurses) to scrub for the c-sections. They have us orient to scrub for 3 c-sections and consider us trained so I recently scrubbed for the 1st time on my own and felt so lost as to the order of the instruments and the MD was not patient at all which made me even more nervous.

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Specializes in Obs & gynae theatres.
Are you primariliy scrubbing c-sections? If you are, then I can provide you with a handy-dandy study guide/procedure guide. PM me.

Can you pm it to me please as I scrub for sections and would be interested to see if the American way is any different to the UK way?

Although I work at a small hospital, our OB department actually has their own ORs and they require us (OB nurses) to scrub for the c-sections. They have us orient to scrub for 3 c-sections and consider us trained so I recently scrubbed for the 1st time on my own and felt so lost as to the order of the instruments and the MD was not patient at all which made me even more nervous.

Did you explain beforehand that you were new and still need prompting? I find they're usually more accommodating if you tell them beforehand rather than finding out halfway through.

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Specializes in L&D.

Many doctors enjoy teaching so if you tell them you are still new and learning you can sometimes get them on your side. "This is only the second time I've done this alone and I still need help. Could you ask for what you need so I can learn your technique?" Also, show interest. After the case ask about something you noticed about the anatomy of that patient or why this doc uses one instrument when someone else uses another one to do the same thing.

I remember the old scrub tech who taught me to scrub. She was in charge of teaching the medical students and the interns how to behave in her OR. When a resident would ask for an instrument she didn't approve of, she slap the correct on in his hand and say, "No, this is the one you need. Learn to use it!" In time you'll be that capable and confident.

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Specializes in med-surg, L&D.

thanks for the responses, very helpful and I will definitely remember that

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Specializes in med-surg, L&D.
Are you primariliy scrubbing c-sections? If you are, then I can provide you with a handy-dandy study guide/procedure guide. PM me.

I would definitely appreciate that guide. Thanks.:yeah:

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Are you primariliy scrubbing c-sections? If you are, then I can provide you with a handy-dandy study guide/procedure guide. PM me.

Would you PM me this guide!! I'm a new grad and this would help me a TON!! Thank you :)

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Hey twentytenRN ... I don't know how to PM someone but a handy dandy study guide for scrubbing CS sounds wonderful. If you are willing to share I would appreciate. Many thanks!

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Would you send me this guide? I pm'd you, hopefully it went through.

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