How long did it take for you to know if you were going to like being a circulator?

Editorial Team / Admin · Jan 21

What I've found is that nurses who come to the OR with experience in another nursing area struggle more, mentally and emotionally, than new grads. It's simply because the nurse goes from being proficient or higher level in what they do back to novice, and it's uncomfortable. The OR has a steep learning curve, even if you aren't learning both sides of the coin with circulating and scrubbing. It can be hard, and it can take time to like it.

That being said, the OR also isn't for everyone. But that's a determination you'll need to make for yourself. Dreading your job is a sign that it's not the right job. Think about it, and what's right for you.

**emergenceRN17, ASN, BSN, RN** · Jan 21

It's all in what you want... it took me over a year to enjoy and appreciate being a circulator. It's not for everybody you have to decide what you want to do bc it's different from floor nursing .. wishing you the best!

RatherBHiking, BSN, RN · Jan 25

Thank you for your replies! It's definitely hard going back to not knowing anything and feeling so lost after feeling competent for so long. It's almost like a whole new career in many ways. It's so overwhelming the sheer amount to learn. I will say overall we have a very supportive staff from scrub techs, doctors, anesthesia, other nurses etc for the most part. I've been told by others nurses doctors and techs I'm doing a good job. However, I don't enjoy it as much as other nursing jobs I've have had in the past. I don't like not being able to just get stuff done and be independent but I do like how everyone works together too. I miss being able to bond well with my patients but then again it's nice they are asleep most of the time and I'm not running up and down the halls fetching water, helping people up to the bathroom, waiting on them to swallow a pill or dealing with demanding family members. It's like comparing apples to oranges. I do find it's more draining that I'm used to from the constant noise (music, machines, people talking, etc) and the constant focus required trying to make sure I'm not missing anything the doctor is asking for amidst all the noise. (I have adhd and I'm more introverted so that type of thing wears me out fast.) I like the fact most weekends and holidays I'm off and I don't have to work nights unless I'm on call. So there are a lot of positives and I want it to work. I am going to just give it more time and see if I can get more comfortable and used to how different it is. I just wasn't sure if anyone else started out feeling like this wasn't for them but changed their minds after enough time. I talked to a couple people at work and they said they weren't sure at first but it grew on them the longer they were in orientation. Thank you for your time!

Abby Suh · Jun 26

Initially enjoyed it, now bored with it, I started to scrub and second assist so doing that has definitely switched it up for me, hoping to get my RNFA next January (eligible but I don't think the program starts until like March or April). It gets really stale because for the most part it's very front loaded and back loaded and you have varying amounts of time where you don't do much especially if you and your team prepare. I only worked at a level 4 rural hospital and mainly did same day orthopedics with the occasional end of day fracture, I+D or amputation, and now work in a surgery center only doing total joints and smaller ortho stuff, so it's all super routine and predictable. When I worked in the hospital I did other stuff but it still felt very front loaded and back loaded and very predictable. I don't have any of those "unexpected" exciting trauma or emergency moments. The most that happened was a patient coded during a TFNA in my entire career thus far.

Scrubbing has definitely refreshed my interest and it helps you be a better circulator too. Having not gone to scrub school it is a challenge, because you are learning a lot of instruments as you go or in your own time learning. I also learned to scrub on total joints, so the curve was quite steep LOL. Knowing what all the instruments are or if they are struggling and just start spewing descriptions really helps having scrubbed because you can find stuff faster or be able to figure out what they need and get it based off stuff they're spewing out. It has also massively helped me understand suture - different needles, what they're used for, etc. Some nurses learn in time too passively but this knowledge will come way faster having to touch and prepare the back table and anticipate the surgeon.