New Grad in Outpt. OR - any advice is much appreciated!

brownbook · Jun 11, 2017

I have always floated, been floated to area I wasn't exactly trained in. I still love floating and encourage nurses to do it. I wouldn't dream of floating to be a circulator. I've only done pre and post op.

Working as a circulator is soooo different from any other type of nursing. You will need to be very assertive. As in, no I can't do that case, I will not do that case unless a preceptor is in the room with me, etc. If your co-workers get annoyed with your questions I would give notice! They know you have no experience!

Plastic surgeons tend to be more picky and particular than general surgeons.

I hope it works out for you. Yes, getting experience should be a big plus in transitioning to acute care hospital ORs

Editorial Team / Admin · Jun 12, 2017

A place that is not going to provide any orientation ("thrown in" someone to help if needed?) is a huge red flag. This is not a job I would take.

SlowlySteadilySurely · Jun 17, 2017

Thank you both for replying and for your input. The first few days almost broke me. I definitely thought about quitting but I really want to give it a little more time...after all, the nurses there before me have succeeded, I want to give myself a chance. Going home and looking things up online and organizing my notes have really helped me. The surgical techs are great with helping me as a circulator as well. The surgeons def are very particular! I thought I was the biggest OCD person to exist but I've been proven wrong. Thanks again! I hope this works out for me and that I can apply the experience elsewhere in the future.

Jmira.BSN.RN · Jun 23, 2017

Hi,

I actually came on here looking for some tips too since I will be transitioning into pre-op OR for the remainder of my pregnancy as my unit is too physical at this stage in my pregnancy.

I just wanted to let you know that all new grad jobs are stressful and you will second guess a lot of things. My first RN job was a thrown to the wolves mess and there was a few nights I even cried at home, questioning myself. But you need to have adequate training and support to do your job. Do not be afraid to ask for what you need!

Transitioning into acute hospital OR shouldn't be an issue once you get some experience under your belt. Once I had 2 years of RN experience and looked for a new job, I had multiple offers to choose from. Just keep workng towards that BSN

ORoxyO · Jul 2, 2017

As an OR educator, no formal training would be a red flag for me too. Just doesn't sound safe. But, since you are already there I'd give it a bit and see how it goes. Pretty much everyone is overwhelmed initially so you're normal there.

I work in a very busy trauma center and we do sometimes take experienced nurses from smaller outpatient centers. We just assess their skills and usually extend their orientation to make sure they are up to speed on different specialties and trauma. Not a big deal. Just make sure you are up front with you experience when you apply and interview.

Good luck and hang in there.

SlowlySteadilySurely · Jul 24, 2017

I hope everything went well for you during the dept transition!

SlowlySteadilySurely · Jul 24, 2017

Oh boy, I lasted 7 weeks at this place. I learned so much about myself during this short span! I know now I am a pretty fast learner and great note-taker, but I never knew how much I'd allow myself to be stressed to the point of a near panic attack. I gave my resignation after seeing an unhealthy trend in my routine I'd rather not discuss, nonetheless, there are moments I'm left feeling like I'm a quitter. Often times, I hear of nurses struggling with their new job but they keep at it, and eventually succeed. I'm a bit disappointed in myself for quitting...I'm not sure if I should even rationalize it? I know I have a good work ethic but when everyone around me was pointing out my sudden weight loss and moodiness, I just felt I had to quit and just did it.

The staff at the center did what they could to help me. Although I am a LVN and just finished my RN, I wasn't comfortable with how they required the LVNs to push IV meds. I feel all I needed was a little orientation and a small amount of training, and I would have been fine. There were just too, too many days I was left alone trying to figure things out for myself all the while making sure my patients didn't catch on that I was brand new. It just became unsafe at that point. The surgical techs were very helpful...almost more so than the nurses. A few of the anesthesiologists and surgeons were awesome! They were so supportive of my growth and learning; however, there were just a select few whom I dreaded circulating for. I tried not to take it personal, and I really don't, but I found myself going home with very negative energy and doubting myself. At the end of this experience, I'm so grateful I had the chance to practice starting IVs (which I feel so much more confident in) and I learned that I absolutely love talking to my patients and educating them. I know this will not be the last time I'll find myself in a OR. I'll work toward that BSN and aim to get into a new grad OR program. Thank you everyone for your response and input!