Needing advice and help

[karebear74]

I started in the OR about a year and half ago. Was circulating and doing pretty good at it. My preceptors though were rough at first and really didn't explain why we do what we do and just made me do it. So I know what to do in the OR as a circulator and my eval states I am really good at it. Then the Ortho team wanted me to join and start scrubbing with them. I was really nervous and still am. Still in orientation with it. And again new preceptor to me but same old stuff. She tells me what to do and sometimes not even how to do it but I don't understand why or blah everything. I have asked alot of questions and feel as if I am the stupid one. I just am one of those types that needs to know why and how and put it all together. For instance I have been in scrub orientation for 2 months now and just learned that the wearing of a surgical mask is only trully good for one hour before bacteria and the such invade. No one ever told me that. And as I scrub no one explained to me there are special ways to place instruments into dr. hands....until one of the dr's kinda got upset with me cause I handed her an instrument "the wrong" way. I can't expect the drs to explain to me my job or the residents. But my preceptor just says place it hard so they feel it. I am beginning to wonder if she knows the right way. Can I get any help?? Any place or book or explanation of how to do my job as a circulator/scrub would be great. We are a great team but I don't like how they teach. Thank you if you can help.

[linda2097]

Also, there are things that books do not teach. There is no substitute for experience. This is why nursing schools have clinical rotations.

[shell07]

I would approach the o.r. nurse educator and let her know your situation. Everyone is not a teacher, and sadly some don't know the why and how they are doing things because "just do it" was how they were taught. Don't let this discourage you the o.r. is a great and awesome place to work. Also taking responibility for your own teaching by looking up the procedures for the next day and be able to ask pertinent questions and understand better. Also does your area have periopertive consorsium ? Ask the educator to send you while your still on orientation, this is a great class for education piece of the o.r.