New OR nurse blues

[Bubblefun]

So I started my dream job in November and landed a job in the OR that included an education program for those specializing right out of nursing school. We began the periop 101 program online & finished it by February. I worked with a preceptor during this time. We were told we wouldn't be alone for at least 6 months & only if we were comfortable. We also were told we would have training sessions once a week with the educator as well as meeting regularly to see how we were doing....none of this has happened.

We started circulating alone after 4 months. Our hospital us unique in the fact that we have to able to switch from ortho you to to gyn cases by case which also makes it hard as someone new.

As I noticed travel assignments were coming to an end I new we would be thrown from the nest sooner than expected simply to fill the void.

I just don't know if I should mention my disappointment or if it is even worth it? Or is this common place practice in OR?

thanks for any advice.

[EitherOr]

Long time lurker but had to join just to comment on your post because I've had the same issue. I work at a major hospital so while we have "specialties" we are also expected to be able to do any kind of case on any particular day, and we get some BIG cases. My facility uses RNs as circulators and scrubs so we are also expected to know how to perform both of those roles. It's been an overwhelming amount of information to learn in a short time.

Like you, we were also originally told some things that didn't end up happening (or things that ended up happening differently) and we have been used to fill staffing needs that cost us proper orientation time. Consequently, there have been a lot of frustrating days for me (and for my scrub/circulator, depending on which role I'm in that day) that have felt like I'm fighting an uphill battle. That said, I've had a lot of good days too and I love what I'm doing which helps tremendously.

At first I tried saying something to a few members of leadership in a tactful way of course, mostly about how I felt having us run rooms too early is unsafe and ultimately not the right thing for our patients. Of course, nothing changed - the hospital is a business and there is money to be made, and I understand that. I got a lot of "Oh you just have confidence problems, you can do it!" and "Well we need you to be more independent at this point in your training" and "You've done this case before, you'll be fine" (yeah, with a preceptor 3 months ago maybe).

Anyway, I don't know if this helps you but I at least wanted you to know you're not alone. I think that if you truly feel your patient's best interest is compromised it's always appropriate to speak up and escalate your concerns if necessary. If you signed a contract saying you'd be with a preceptor for a certain amount of time certainly bring that into the conversation. I will say that for the most part our OR is a supportive place so I always know who to call if I get in trouble and I'm usually assigned with a scrub/circulator who can help me out, and I hope yours is the same.