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

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! 

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!

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. 

2 months is definitely not long enough for you to know whether it is the right fit or not. I was an ICU, ER and Flight nurse (helicopter) for many years before deciding that I wanted to move to the OR. As Rose_Queen stated, you really become a novice nurse again and you have to adjust to the that mindset and one of being a student again on a very steep learning curve. The OR is completely different nursing so there is a ton to learn. I am an at academic hospital and received 6 months of circulator training in my specialty (Neurosurgery) and then 6 months of scrub training. I really enjoy the scrubbing as it gives me so much greater insight into the pts pathology and the actual surgical correction we are doing. I definitely think that it makes the job more interesting and don't think I would have lasted if I only got to circulate every day . Both roles are busy in their own way . I have an amazing supportive team, fantastic , kind surgeons I work with and great work life balance. Definitely give yourself some more time and once you get the hang of circulating , explore the scrub nurse role as well (if you can at your facility) . If , after 12 months you still can't stand it, get out and get into the ICU, ER or other area that you are interested in working in. Best of luck.