Hey Guys, I am graduating nursing school, come completion of my clinical capstone (which is in the operating room as a circulator). I have accepted a job at mayo clinic as a circulator, and was a bit dismayed to learn that (as previously told) that nurses do not first assist and scrub. I learned to scrub at my first job in the operating room as a sort of multipurpose operating room technician, so I am a little sad that I won't get to scrub at all. Overall, I feel pretty confident in my choice I just need some affirmation. Do any circulators not scrub at all, and do you still like it? I have always loved the operating room, and hope to eventually swing back into the ICU world and go back to anesthesia school, but I want to spend some time in the operating room to reward myself for 4 years of slinging bedpans (totally kidding, god bless floor nurses). What is your opinion of nurses not scrubbing?
Specializes in ICU, Trauma, CCT,Emergency, Flight, OR Nursing.
On 3/29/2021 at 8:43 PM, GodspeedRN said:
Hey I know this is an old post but I wanted to ask you how difficult it was to get a job as an OR nurse in the Bay Area? I plan on relocating out there after getting some experience. I will be working at a teaching hospital & will circulate/scrub in the meantime. I’m interested to hear your thoughts. I always hear that it’s like trying to catch a unicorn out there.
HI there, just apply. Many positions opening up at various hospitals . I am at Stanford and know that we have a few vacancies in some of our service lines at the moment. Best of luck.
A little off topic but I had a question regarding RNs assisting. We are currently super short with techs and they are having us scrub in. I used to be a tech for 12 years so anytime I'm asked to scrub in I’m absolutely willing. When assisting, can we as RNs cauterize tissue under surgeons request? I want to eventually become an RNFA but haven’t started any kind of program yet.
Specializes in ICU, Trauma, CCT,Emergency, Flight, OR Nursing.
On 3/7/2022 at 10:02 AM, JV_RN said:
A little off topic but I had a question regarding RNs assisting. We are currently super short with techs and they are having us scrub in. I used to be a tech for 12 years so anytime I'm asked to scrub in I’m absolutely willing. When assisting, can we as RNs cauterize tissue under surgeons request? I want to eventually become an RNFA but haven’t started any kind of program yet.
To the best of my knowledge , a RN has to be a certified RNFA in order to manipulate , cauterize and otherwise handle tissue, including suturing. I believe a lot lies with the state that you practice nursing in. Some states are very laissez faire while others are not. It also depends on the hospital policies at the place where you work. As both a scrub RN and a legal nurse consultant I would caution anyone from doing any of the above without being employed as , trained and certified as a RNFA.
RickyRescueRN, BSN, RN
211 Posts
HI there, just apply. Many positions opening up at various hospitals . I am at Stanford and know that we have a few vacancies in some of our service lines at the moment. Best of luck.