I'm starting to panic

There is always something new to learn everyday. After 28 years in the OR I still am learning new equipment and procedures. The learning curve in the OR is very long and intense but with a little patience and the understanding of a good precepter you should just do fine. Hang in there because it is hard to find people who have a desire to work in the OR. Welcome to the club! Mike

Today was my first day of general orientation. I have just accepted a circulator position and will begin on the unit next week. I am really excited but I am beginning to be panic. I have never felt this way about any job before. I guess that part of the problem is that I have had limited exposure to OR so I don't entirely know what to expect. I'm thinking about all the foreign equipment and instrumentation that I have to learn. Basically I am starting from scratch in my learning process and that freaks me out. Don't get me wrong I am so excited to have this opportunity because I have been interested in OR for quite some time and I am ready for a change since I have worked in Med/Surg for 6 years now and I am getting a little bit burnt out.

I guess that I'm writing this because I was wondering did all of you at one time feel this way when coming into this specialty? Once you started working did you find that you learned the info quickly or was it so much, so fast that you needed a while to process everything? Are people in the OR generally understanding that the newbies don't know what the heck is going on yet?....Geez I'm stressing!!!!!

Help!! A little pep talk would be appreciated.

HI ! you should go and read my post ( Im new, meet me, aka the chicken)

In fact, I saw youre post and though, "gee, that would make a great title for MY post" ......lol

Anyway, Im an OR RN and Im going back to work. Im nervous too. (been home for a few yrs and feeling ruusty etc etc)

Everyone was once in your shoes. everyone of us. You can do this and you will be fine. You know more than you think and you'll adapt much sooner than you realize. You want to do this and that alone will help yoi get past your case of the nerves. Its normal to feel this way, in fact, if you didnt, Id think that something was wrong. You'll be fine. its the people who are concerned about doing their job well and learning it etc, who care, and who end up being good at it.

Just try and take a deep breath and think, " I can do this, its going to be Ok"

I hope this helps some

Oh, and its nice to meet you, thanks for sharing this, you HELPED ME !

Im not alone ! :)

Hi Nellie

Remember this is a learning experience. Buy a pocket size notebook and write notes about surgeries,positioning,room set-up, etc and most importantly Dr.s preferences and quirks. The amount of equipment and differences from floor nursing can be daunting. It will come it just takes time, look how much you have learned from Med-Surg, it takes about a year to feel competent and two years to get comfortable.

Good luck :)

Today was my first day of general orientation. I have just accepted a circulator position and will begin on the unit next week. I am really excited but I am beginning to be panic. I have never felt this way about any job before. I guess that part of the problem is that I have had limited exposure to OR so I don't entirely know what to expect. I'm thinking about all the foreign equipment and instrumentation that I have to learn. Basically I am starting from scratch in my learning process and that freaks me out. Don't get me wrong I am so excited to have this opportunity because I have been interested in OR for quite some time and I am ready for a change since I have worked in Med/Surg for 6 years now and I am getting a little bit burnt out.

I guess that I'm writing this because I was wondering did all of you at one time feel this way when coming into this specialty? Once you started working did you find that you learned the info quickly or was it so much, so fast that you needed a while to process everything? Are people in the OR generally understanding that the newbies don't know what the heck is going on yet?....Geez I'm stressing!!!!!

Help!! A little pep talk would be appreciated.

Remember, lol every one of us was new...and scared to death. Relax, keep that notebook in your pocket, and stick to your preceptor like glue. He or she will help you every step of the way! OR people can be tough...don't get discouraged by old grouches!!!!!!!! Best advice, ask questions, but don't offer opinions...and never say " I KNOW" lol just say "thanks for telling me, or showing me..." Also if after a week or two you just do not click with your preceptor, go to your nurse manager and nurse educator, and ask for a change...don't let a personality conflict keep you away...OR nursing is great!

Thanks for all of the great advice. I definately plan on buying a notebook. My manager said that I would be in orientation for 6 months learning all of the services and that eventually my primary services would be Neuro and Ortho. You guys made me feel a lot better. I'm just gonna hang in there. I know that I will make it :)