How many RN's scrub?

shodobe · Jun 20, 2004

I was just sitting here thinking about all the RNs in the hospital and who I would hire to train and I can only think of a few, 5 at most. All of these are from either ICU or the ED. I can't think of anyone from M/S who would last the whole training period. Strange, I guess I never really thought about it. There are a couple from M/S who would start out fine but eventually would burn out when the chips were down. Mike

shodobe · Jun 20, 2004

I haven't heard of any course taken in a Tech training school that would be transferable to a nursing program. Maybe I am wrong but it doesn't seem that anyone could bypass required course for that particular state. I think your friend should contact your state BON and ask someone before it is too late. Mike

ONEBADORT · Jun 21, 2004

Onedabart, you cannot possibly realize how silly this sounds. Some of us, myself included, have been scrubbing since before you were born. I scrub and circulate ALL specialties except open heart, which is boring as he**. When I was in the Navy in the Vietnam era, (I was 19 in OR school) we had to put up the instruments (that is, work in CSR and wash and string up and wrap and autoclave the instrument trays.) You had better believe I know all the instruments; probably many you have never used. And I am willing to bet that either shodobe or I can scrub circles around you in ortho, neuro or trauma. My favorite area is spinal instrumentation cases, and I know every possible system because I have done many. I have also worked with some awesome, awesome scrub techs, and I learn new things from them all the time--but not instrumentation.
None of this is bragging--in the '80s, many, many hospitals adopted a philosophy of an all nurse operating room staff, and of course we all did everything--otherwise we couldn't take call. Therefore, MOST RNs of our era are equally proficient in both roles, and particualrly if you worked at trauma centers (I did.) You'd be surprised how many RNs are in charge of CSRs everywhere, and you'd be surprised how many RNs are teachers in operating room technician programs. Yes, that means they teach the scrub techs the instruments.
I, too, am interested in just what it is that makes YOU so special. What sets you apart from other scrub techs or nurses who scrub?
"Can't we all just get along?"

WHAT MKES ME SO SPECIAL IS IN FACT THERE'S NOT A DAY THAT GOES BY THAT IM NOT BEING BEGGED BY A SURGEON TO HELP, OR A DAY THAT GOES BY THAT IM NOT BEING QUESTIONED TO DEATH ABOUT SOMETHING FROM THE NURSES! AND NO I DOUBT U COULD WORK CIRCLES AROUND ME, I AM A WONDERFUL TECH AND PROUD OF IT!!! PLUS IF YOU DID WORK A CIRCLE AROUND ME, ITS ONLY BECAUSE YOU'VE ALREADY BEEN AROUND THE BLOCK A TIME OR TWO, BUT NOT BECAUSE YOU'RE BETTER, AND PLUS I WAS TRYING TO BE NICE AND SAY THAT NURSES WHO SCRUB DESERVE A PAT ON THE BACK COMPARED TO THOSE WHO DON'T WANT TO, BUT YOU GUYS WERE THE ONES WHO BLEW IT OUT OF PROPORTION, SO SUIT YOURSELF!!!!!

stevierae · Jun 21, 2004

WHAT MKES ME SO SPECIAL IS IN FACT THERE'S NOT A DAY THAT GOES BY THAT IM NOT BEING BEGGED BY A SURGEON TO HELP, OR A DAY THAT GOES BY THAT IM NOT BEING QUESTIONED TO DEATH ABOUT SOMETHING FROM THE NURSES!

A legend in your own mind, I'd say.... :uhoh3:

And why are you YELLING?

shodobe · Jun 22, 2004

stevierae, I was just trying to give the appropriate reply and you hit it on the head! Mike

lwlrn · Jul 27, 2004

It is my opinion in order to be a good circulating RN, you should be able to scrub. It gives you new respect for what a scrub does and knowledge is power, it looks great on your CV if you can do them both.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Jul 27, 2004

Where i work, they're expected to do both, but most circulated for a whole year before they're allowed to start scrubbing.

wonderbee, BSN, RN · Jul 27, 2004

Been following this thread because OR is on my short list for specialties when I graduate from my ADN program. Can you tell me what pathway I should follow for OR?

Thanks.

angel03 · Jul 30, 2004

I was just wondering how many RN's are required to scrub as well as circulate. In my facility, RN's scrub and circulate. Some scrub more often than others. I see some nurses that scrub adn circulate 50/50 and some that don't scrub much at all if any. As a new periop I am required to do both.
Christine

I circulate more than I scrub....I wish I were able to scrub more often...My belief is that all RNs should be able to do both jobs....Don't be afraid it is a great experience and always lends to learning....it will make you a better circulator and circulating will make you a great scrub...

angel03 · Jul 30, 2004

Been following this thread because OR is on my short list for specialties when I graduate from my ADN program. Can you tell me what pathway I should follow for OR?
Thanks.

Usually the OR does not take new grads....try working critical care for 1 year and make it known to the OR supervisor in your hospital that you are intrested in OR nursing.....Shadow an OR nurse on your day off (of course you must get permission from the OR mananger) if you are serious your persistance will prove to be an asset

ONEBADORT · Sep 24, 2004

:rotfl:

Well, ferret, that is the problem we as nurses are facing in the US. Hospitals are going after the technically trained individual and not the clinically trained person. The one dimensional person who can ONLY do one thing. Not much help when you think about it. Just wait until your legislation starts to allow these individuals to "scout" for you despite what their training is. There have been some threads that indicate some states are leaning that way to "alleviate" the nursing shortage. POPPYCOCK! This boils down to finances. Cheap labor. The public won't know what hit them until it is too late. You are right that EVERY patient deserves to have an RN looking after them at all times. As stevierae stated above there was a time that all ORs around the country had an all RN staff and didn't even comtemplated hiring techs for any reason. I am lucky that my Director still holds to this philosophy and only hires RNs and not techs. She wants to get the most bang out of her buck. Hospitals in general are having a difficult time finding RNs to fill vacancies and have resorted to filling these with non-licensed individuals. I can guarantee you if the person hiring had the choice they would not hire techs at all. I think this is a trend that will continue and as nurses we will have to fight to keep our identity in the OR. This is why, I think, unions will have a great impact on how nursing is percieved in the future. Unions will give us the power to defeat any change that will eliminate our presence in the OR, which is diminishing more and more each year to "certified" individuals. I gues I am the lucky one, along with several of the other "older" nurses, to have gone through most of my career (27 years!) and never have had to work along side a tech until the past few years. I know this will appear to be a slap in the face to all techs, but thats how I feel and I am not really sorry for feeling that way. Mike
PS, I have worked with several very competent and skilled techs over the past couple of years, so I wanted techs to know I don't consider all incompetent, just not needed.

well i have to say, us techs feel the same way about the nurses, we don't have to work along side of you guys either , hello, that's why or's are getting rid of nurses and just using " certified" personnel!

ONEBADORT · Sep 24, 2004

I circulate more than I scrub....I wish I were able to scrub more often...My belief is that all RNs should be able to do both jobs....Don't be afraid it is a great experience and always lends to learning....it will make you a better circulator and circulating will make you a great scrub...

:) amen sista!!!