New Grad-RN Just got hired into OR

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Hi everyone! I'm new here. I just graduated in May and i found out a few days ago that i passed my NCLEX with 75 questions. I was surprised that i got a position into the OR, thought you needed experience first. I was told by nursing instructors and other nurses to do atleast 1 year of med/surg before specializing but i can not see myself doing med/surg. I've heard and read different opinions on here about jumping right into the OR as a new grad vs getting med/surg experience first. I know its going to be intense but i will do my best because this is what i feel i was meant to do. I feel that i will be able to handle the OR because i like to focus on 1 patient at a time, i like advanced technology, i'm organized/task-oriented and good at troubleshooting. Bottom line...I love surgery and willing to do it myself if i could! Wanted to become a surgeon but don't want to be in school any longer.

My training is for 6 months but I do have a few concerns...like not being able to pick it up fast enough because i'm a new grad. I am a determined and motivated individual and as much as i'm excited...i'm also really nervous and scared. I was wondering how do you all deal with stress, how do you not take it personal when a angry surgeon puts you down? What suggestions would you offer to a new grad who is just starting the OR? Tips on decreasing anxiety or nervousness? Tips on becoming a successful OR nurse? Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you!

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Specializes in GI, OR, Oncology.

IsseyM,

Congratulations on your graduation and on passing NCLEX!! Also, congrats on getting an OR position!

I graduated last year and went right into OR nursing. It was very natural for me since I had been an LVN/scrub there for 8 years already. It's an awesome place to be.

I will tell you what I found helpful: keep a small notebook with you all the time and write down as much as you can. It really has been a help to me - there's an enormous amount of information to remember and it seems that every surgeon and anesthesiologist likes things different. Always remain calm, keep a positive attitude and act confident! Don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it, but always try to trouble shoot problems on your own when appropriate. You should try to take really good care of yourself - do whatever works for you as far as managing stress and taking time to really relax. Plan at least one fun activity every week and splurge on massages or pedicures or whatever works for you.

I am a perfectionist and tend to be really hard on myself, so I got frustrated and stressed out with the length of my orientation. It really does take a long time to learn everything (I'm still learning, every day) and you must be patient with yourself.

You sound like you have a great attitude and will be very successful.

Way to go :)

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Specializes in OR< ER< ICU< Home Health.

Congrats on your new position.

A few other points to remember.........

-dont be discouraged after a few months because you dont know everything-keep telling yourself it takes time

- always remember to put your patient first- even if being rushed

- dont sweat the small stuff

- every day pat yourself on the back for the number of people you helped

-sometimes silence is golden

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Wow, these are all excellent tips!! Thank you both for your replies. I will definately follow your suggestions. I'm sure i will have to come back on here and remind myself from time to time. Sometimes we tend to forget to take care of ourselves. What is the hardest part of being an OR nurse? Is it difficult to remember all the instruments, equipment, etc, or how each surgeon prefers set up?

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Specializes in Surgery.

It can be very stressful being a new nurse in the OR because alot of the stuff they dont teach you in school..Its almost like starting over again. It was for me and I am still learning. I have been in the OR as a student nurse teach for 11 months and a new nurse for 2 months. The tips I would give you would be dont get frustrated. You are going to be overwhelmed. Its normal. I would get so frustrated trying to learn new instrument setups or what I needed for a case. I learned not to get aggravated and just ask someone. Most of the people I work with are willing to help me. DO NOT BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR HELP. and the angry surgeons that everyone speaks of. Just learn to ignore them.It doesnt matter if youve been there 1 day or 100 years a few of them still hateful to whoever..Learn to ignore them. Ive noticed where I work most of them are nice and are willing to teach you. But there are a few bad apples and just ignore them. One surgeon I worked with scrubbing in Orthopedics he used to scare me to death because he was hateful and for me Orthopedics was hard to learn to scrub in. After he got to know me more and I am learning to circulate he is much nicer. Some of them they just have to get used to you. As someone else said keep a little book. Trust me it is great. We have Scope Gallbladders and no two surgeons do them exactly a like. After you get settled in and get a routine going you will be fine..GOODLUCK!

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Congrats on your new postion. I too am a new grad, however, I did listen to everyone's advice and am on a Med/Surg unit. I hate it!! There are just too many patients and too many medications to pass, too many interruptions, etc. I really think this is an usafe situation for a new nurse.

I always wanted to be in the OR and was wondering how everyone felt about asking to be allowed to interview for an OR position before my one year on the floor is up. Otherwise, I'm not sure I'm gonna make it!!

Thanks for any advice.

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Specializes in OR, Home Health.

Hi, I just started in the OR also as a new grad. I am working in an Ambulatory surgery center and I am the 1st new grad they have hired. I haven't received official training and that is frustrating. The quick turnover prevents me from being able to have time with my patients and I feel like I am not using any of my nursing skills. I love the OR, but I wonder if I will be able to move to other areas with only OR experience. Sounds like you are on the right track and have had some good training. Good Luck!

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Specializes in Surgery.

Hi, Congrats on your RN and OR hire! I've been in the OR for 24 years, and I wouldn't do any other type of nursing. The main thing is to hang in there...I was SO nervous at first! You mentioned 6 months training...we tell people it takes a year to feel comfortable, and even with that, things are so detailed and specialized now you won't be able to know everything about every specialty. So, get exposure to everything, expect bad days and don't quit, it will get not only better, but someday you'll actually say your job is fun. Hopefully you are in an OR where there's a sense of working together and helping each other. If not, you can start it by having that attitude yourself, and offer to help others when you have down time...like, ask if someone needs anything for their next case, help put extra surgery supplies away, offer someone a potty break, etc. And...if you don't understand something or want additional training, don't hesitate to ask. Good luck, the main thing is perseverence, attitude, and a sense of humor. We all have our OR stories that were horrible/humiliating/embarassing when they happened, and a hoot to talk about now!

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Specializes in Psychiatry, Case Management, also OR/OB.

Hello -

congratulations upon your achievements of graduation, the NCLEX, and now finding a position you wanted in the OR. I worked OR for almost 20 years, and I loved it--absolutely lovedit.... after about 6 mos. It really does take some time to think a different way than we were taught in school. Setting up Mayo's is not quite the same as "getting all your requisites for that bed bath." Ha. If you can find old catalogues of instruments to study, that may be of help. Most OR's have preference cards for their docs, maybe you can make copies, I don't know. I don't know everything, but I do know this-- surgeons put their pants on one leg at a time, just like I do, Good advice about taking care of yourself -laugh and play every once in a while, you know go to the amusement park, ride the rides, play miniature golf, go bowling, or work out, all excellent stress busters. The OR community is like no other, very close knit and tight. You're in the club, Learn all you can, because no one can take that knowledge away from you.

ps where are u from??

Good Luck,

Morghan (former old OR nurse from a ways back (1971-1989)

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Thank you so much ORSmurf, Oldernurse, Tessa, Shelby, Merlot, Mlee, and CaseManager for your helpful tips. Right now i am learning about instruments and which ones are used for all the different types of surgery. I didn't realize how many instruments there are out there! I'm thinking to myself...how in the world am i gonna remember all these things and on top of that how the docs like their trays set up? And all the hospitals policies and procedures, floor rules, etc. I need to work on my memory skills. hehe. So far i've met nice people. I haven't worked with the docs yet. It seems like family in the OR and I've already seen the cats and dogs fight. A few times i thought i was on the Jerry Springer show. I'm usually a quiet, laid back and relaxed type of person and try to stay out of conflict, but if someone tries to bully me i won't stand for it. Its pretty interesting. I'm learning alot and so far i like it. I'm just hoping and praying it keeps on getting better and things will run smoothly for me. I'm counting down the days that i will actually get to go into the operating room. I'm really nervous and scared but excited at the same time. Sometimes i can't believe i'm a real RN. I'm still wondering how in the world i passed the NCLEX. Then there are days i'm wondering if i'm competent and smart enough to be a real nurse. Its been like an emotional roller coaster ride. Man do you have alot of doubts as a new grad. Can't wait for that feeling to go away. I guess these are the typical feelings of a new grad no matter what unit you go to. I'm just glad i have a sense of humor. I love to laugh, love to watch comedy, love to tell jokes, and love to make other people laugh. Sometimes i think i'm wierd or other people may think i'm wierd because what i find funny some don't. Ok i'm starting to ramble so i'm off to bed, gotta wake up early. Thanks again everyone for your advice and support. It means alot to me.

PS. CaseManager1947 I'm from Arizona, thank you so much for your helpful tips and for wishing me luck.

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HI EVERYONE!!!!!!:monkeydance:

I also just started in the OR too . Today was my 3rd day.............. and wow what an amazing 3 days i have had. i am just learning the basics right now, like roles in the OR, started practicing sterile technique and opening up stuff on the tables............ I never knew all the roles of OR nurses, they have to be aware of everything going on. I feel pretty overwhelmed, because there is SO much to learn, mainly all the instruments, i am so glad that my orientation is about 8 months. and i TRY to be a perfectionist at times . OR nursing is a totally different world, i was a pedi surgical floor before this (as a student and as a new RN for a year), and what a difference.

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Congrats to you all!

As a new OR hire, do hospitals train you in both roles - Circulator & Scrub? Training in the Scrub role even though hospitals hire Surg Tech's would prepare me to be a more astute Circulator, per advice I've been given. Or do they only train you to be a Circulator?

I'm entering my last yr of nsg school & am drawn to the OR.

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