I am new to the OR and I would love the input of some fellow OR nurses to help answer some questions I have to determine if I am just not loving the OR, or if it is the particular work environment that I am in that is making me second guess my decision to transition here.
So I'm a new OR nurse who started in April this year. I have been a nurse for almost 5 years, the past 2 years in the ICU and I just transferred to start working in a Children's Hospital OR. I was super excited for the transition but now that I am there, I am not so sure anymore.
Since I started, I have heard people talking about me in the break room (in front of me) and have experienced bullying by more than one nurse in front of the surgical team. The bullying has dissipated a bit since I started as "the new girl from the ICU" but it still doesn't feel like much of my team has my back (mainly from the nurses that have been there for a while). A lot of people in the OR talk about leaving because they are unhappy (the turnover is very high) and people complain constantly about equipment malfunctioning, management, short staffing, slow turn-over times etc. etc.
So here are my questions:
1. I realize the OR is a place of multiple personalities and backgrounds working together, but is it normal for staff to gossip about each other constantly?? I am a no-drama kind of person and in my workplace, it is nearly impossible to avoid the gossip (I witness side conversations of whispering at work constantly). If you see this in your OR, how do you deal!?
2. What keeps you in the OR?
3. What is/are the biggest challenge(s) you face in your daily work life?
4. Do you feel that your OR works as a team (especially nursing) and has your back?
5. Do you feel there is a difference between union vs. non-union work environments ?
I really want to give OR nursing a chance but sadly I am already planning my exit strategy from this particular place. I am thinking to gain 2 years experience then find another OR to work in. Its sad, because I LOVE working with the kids.
