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

[RatherBHiking, BSN, RN]

Did you enjoy it right away or did it take a while? Or maybe you grew to like it after a certain amount of time? I've been there a little over 2 months so far and I thought I didn't enjoy the first rotation (general) because of being so new and not knowing what I was doing and being pulled between lots of different preceptors and most not very good teachers. So I'm now in a new rotation with a wonderful preceptor and much more confident and have learned so many basics but I'm still not enjoying it. It's all so repetitive all day long surgery after surgery. We circulate only and are not allowed to scrub. I hate call. I know it's necessary but I don't want overtime every week. Our call weekends you just expect to work because they just schedule lots of cases then too plus there's usually emergencies on top that so they can be extra long after already working 40 hours. Most of my co-workers say they love it. I just feel like a glorified fetcher of things. I know there's a ton to do and be in charge of and I feel very overwhelmed most days. They assure me I will eventually remember and learn it all for each different case and I'm sure with enough time I will. I'm just not enjoying any part of the job so far other than it being days with most weekends off. I feel bad because they've spent so much time training me already but it's not a job you can truly understand until you actually do it. It just drains my energy and after lunch I dread going back and count down the minutes until I can go home. Is this normal to feel this way or how long should I give it? 

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

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]

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]

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!