Just got a job offer at an ASC

brownbook · Aug 25, 2013

Use the search tab, top right corner of the All Nurses site, you will find various discussions on ambulatory surgery centers.

When I was new to ASC it was hard to let go of the "but this is how we did it at my old job" mentality. Of course not something that is basically harmful or "wrong" anywhere for any nurse, but I found the ASC a little more casual than the acute care hospital I had come from.

Bring home some blank nursing forms or a blank chart, get used to the paperwork. Even though you have nursing experience ask questions. No dumb questions.

You will be working closely with anesthesiologists, they are a wonderful resource and a good go to person. In recovery ask them about what meds they used in OR and what you should watch for. Although many cases are just propofol, versed, and fentanyl, so learn about those before you start. But sometimes different drugs are used or reversals are used. Ask, Ask, Ask.

The "bad" part of ASC's is they make money by moving a lot of patients through the system. You may be "pushed" to get your patients ready quickly for OR, and quickly get them up awake, and out the door in recovery. It can be hard to find the right balance of good care and "get them out the door." That is where knowing the paperwork well, knowing what needs to be filled in and what can be "NA" is helpful.

brittyma · Aug 26, 2013

Thank you!

Student Mom to Three · Aug 26, 2013

Very much agree with brownbook! I started in an ASC and am now in outpt endoscopy. The focus is truly on moving folks in and out. It can start to feel like an "assembly line" if you are not careful! Our docs get testy if we get even 10 minutes behind.....so be prepared to work fast while still making the patients feel as if they are your only concern in the world.

Fortunately, it is usually only ASA 1 and 2 pts who may have surgery at an ASC (although I have had "sicker" pts slip through) so your patients are generally very healthy-just having elective surgery- and tolerate the procedure well and recover nicely.

I love, love, love outpatient procedures/surgery. I really love caring for a patient for a short amount of time and then moving on to the next....it really keeps the day moving. Good luck! I think you will enjoy it!