I Circulated my first case by myself!

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Specializes in Surgery.

I am checked off on most services except for open hearts..Well there wasnt anything on the board for me to get checked off on so I had them to put me in a general room to circulate by myself..I have to say that the day went smooth..It was only 2 cases (A SGB and IHR) but it made me feel good doing it by myself and not having people to tell me what to do and looking over my shoulder..It was great and a confidence booster...It was a good day and the surgeon was really nice which was a plus..

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Specializes in ICU, Surgery.

:w00t:

Congrats! I am glad your first case went so well! That's all you needed was a confidence booster! Good for you to have volunteered also.

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Specializes in OR RN Circulator, Scrub; Management.

Congratulations and great job!!!!:mortarboard:

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Specializes in Surgery.

thanks!

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Congratulations on your first "solo flight", Tessa! I'm so excited for you! How long have you been in orientation? I'm 3 weeks into my new job in the OR and have been in the holding room for the 1st couple of weeks -- I get to start circulating through general surgery starting Monday! I'm excited, but a little nervous! Your post is an encouragement to me!

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I am checked off on most services except for open hearts..Well there wasnt anything on the board for me to get checked off on so I had them to put me in a general room to circulate by myself..I have to say that the day went smooth..It was only 2 cases (A SGB and IHR) but it made me feel good doing it by myself and not having people to tell me what to do and looking over my shoulder..It was great and a confidence booster...It was a good day and the surgeon was really nice which was a plus..

Way to go Tessa and congrats! This is very encouraging news, gives me something to look forward to even though i'm scared and nervous. I start with a preceptor next week full time since we're done with our AORN class lectures. How long did you have to precept for before you got to be on your own? Again, congrats and keep up the good work!

IsseyM

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Specializes in OR.

Exciting to be on your own, huh? In my case, I can circulate alone on quite a few things but there are some specialties I haven't gotten to yet(Neuro). Also, this past summer we've been terribly short staffed so sometimes towards the middle or the end of the day, I get pulled to scrub for lunch relief. I'm torn about this because while I love scrubbing and I know that my help is needed, I don't want my circulating orientation to be compromised. When you come off orientation, they expect you to know your stuff cold. I guess I'll have to just speak up for myself if I feel I need more time. Plus, the hospital knew that I was finishing school so they could have tried to hire more help...they initially tried to fill my previous position with a per diem person, but docs complained that they needed a fulltimer(worried that they wouldn't be able to do enough cases on evenings)

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Specializes in Surgery.

Yeah...Well Ive scrubbed since I was a student for a year..Then Ive graduated in May and started my orientation May 30th...Yeah I know what you mean about being pulled to scrub...Ive went one week to where I trained 2 days to circ and scrubbed 3...I start completely by myself on Oct 9th (evening and midnights) I am excited to be on my own and do things my way...I just have to learn to circulate Open Heart and Vascular and I will be done...

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Specializes in Surgery.

lc4043 and IsseyM, you guys will do great..It just seems like it takes forever to get used to things..I am still learning and I dont think the learning process with ever stop..Good Luck to the both of you! :)

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