How long does it take to learn the role of scrub/scout?

[nurse_k29]

Hiya,

I've just started a new job as a scrub/scout. I've always wanted to work in theatres and am so excited to have started a new and exciting career!

I was just wondering what people think about how long it takes to learn the job of an instrument and circulating nurse?

I have seen there is sooo much to learn and the nurses I am working with have been in the field for many many years. It is quite daunting beginning in theatres as it is such an alien environment compared to general ward nursing.

How long does it take to begin to feel comfortable and really start to get the hang of things?

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

The general yet unofficial consensus is that it takes about a year to feel truly comfortable in the OR. However, even with my several years of experience, I have days where I feel like I did in the beginning. New technology (such as robotic assisted surgery and other minimally invasive procedures that are developed and brought into the facility) means going back to square one and learning how to use it, how to position patients, etc.

Be patient with yourself- you will have good days where you feel like you've got things down pat and bad days where it seems you can't get anything right. In addition, you're learning both the scrub and scout (which I'm assuming is your terminology for circulator) roles, which means learning double what those who are hired only to circulate have to learn (although once you get the circulator part down, it doesn't hurt to learn what you can about the scrub role even if you don't scrub).

Get familiar with this forum, read through some of the threads, and see some of the ideas of what others have posted about being successful as an OR nurse.

[don2]

this is an old trend.. but for my experience.. depending on the number of cases you experienced during elective surgeries.. before one can be assigned in the night shifts which is usually caters emergency surgeries only.. that depends on the number of cases the nurse can experience.. an OR nurse for a decade but havent experienced cardiac surgery is still a novice to that case.