Moving to another hospital OR

[OR male nurse]

Just wondered if there are others that were trained one way at a certain hospital and then switched jobs to work at another OR and were told that everything you do is wrong ? Sorry to vent but reading the post about tucking arms and counting the FRED brings up what I go through each and every day at my new job (9 mos. now) It seems that no matter what, I do things differently that how I was trained. I was at the top of my game at my last OR and was told that I was one of the best nurses. The MDA's would request me for children's cases because I could always get the IV on the first try. Here, one of the MDA's stares at me and makes me nervous and tells me how my technique is bad. I've put in hundreds of foleys and never was once told that I do that wrong at the last hospital either, however where I work now, I had an OBGYN staring over my shoulder telling me that I'm doing that wrong also, and then went and complained to my boss. It turns out that the catheter was simply sliding backwards because I had lube on my left glove and couldn't get it to hold on to the catheter while inserting it into the urethra with my right hand. No big deal, but seems like every little thing here is a big deal. Anyone else ever go through this when changing jobs ? Somedays I'm made to feel like an incompetent idiot when I know I'm one of the best, and was told so often at my last place of employment.

[brewerpaul]

I just finished my first year in the OR (right out of RN school) so I can't speak about switching from one OR to another. However, in my year at my present job I trained with quite a few different nurses, and ALL of them did lots of things differently. Not right or wrong, just differently.

If you somehow managed to work for 3 years in an OR, I think you're probably doing things OK. Go back to some of your texts and make sure that you're doing IVs and Foleys etc "by the book". If anyone complains, show them in the book why you do it the way you do. If they really have a better way, learn from it and thank them for it.

Hang in there-- sounds like you'll be fine.

[lynswim]

I have worked in about 6 hospital ORs, and every time I start in a new OR, the staff tells me I'm doing things wrong, why do I do it that way, etc. etc. etc. I just smile, nod, and do it my way once I'm off orientation :)

Hang in there, I think it's a territorial OR thing, once they see that you're not going to back off, they should leave you alone.

[cscott1]

I have worked in about 6 hospital ORs, and every time I start in a new OR, the staff tells me I'm doing things wrong, why do I do it that way, etc. etc. etc. I just smile, nod, and do it my way once I'm off orientation :)

Hang in there, I think it's a territorial OR thing, once they see that you're not going to back off, they should leave you alone.

I agree completely, it's a territorial thing. Also, I have run into some nurses who are resistant (very) to any change or deviation from their usual procedure - "we ALWAYS do it that way, it's the way we do things!" or "you're not at XXXX anymore you need to do things our way":banghead:

Also, I have found some nurses who seem afraid to share their knowledge in case some one may turn out to be "better" at a particular thing. Any way, after 20+ years thats my:twocents:.

[ORnurse4Ever]

they are probably just giving u a hard time to see how tough u are as an OR nurse. And probably to test u. If they keep on complaining about how u are doing things wrong maybe u can explain to them why you do what you do, there's always a rationale in every nursing action. maybe they will stop bothering you once they know. With your years of experience as an OR nurse, I'm sure you'll do fine. Just hang in there, they will leave you alone soon.

[shodobe]

Well, just do it their way until they stop hanging on you like a bad rash then go back to doing it your way. The only problem you might have if certain procedures are covered under a hospital policy. If you go against the policy it could spell trouble for you. I have worked at diferent places and had people look at me strange on how I do things, but I just tell them that's the way I do it and if they can find a written way it should be done different from mine, I MIGHT change my ways. All nurses are taught a variety of ways to do something from foley insertions to changing sterile dressings. I really don't think they are all wrong, just different. As long as the patient isn't harmed, possible infections or pain, what difference does it make? Follow rules at your new place and don't be a thorn in their sides and eventually they'll see the great nurse they hired! Good luck