New OR Nurse and feeling overwhelmed...

Kooky Korky, BSN, RN · Dec 13, 2012

This is very common OR culture. Ignore it. You will do just fine if you laugh at yourself. Just let it all roll off.

As for why the tech is nasty, it's probably jealousy. You're an RN, young, pretty, courteous, pleasant. You're an "OR virgin", though, and some experienced staff in OR love to razz those in your category.

If anyone gets seriously rude, or sexually harrasses, or otherwise breaks the law, that would be different. What you're experiencing is, IMO, normal OR culture. I'm not saying it's good or right, but that's how it is in lots of OR's. (also in other settings where people work together often and develop relationships that are more than passing; In OR, teams must be able to trust each other in very critical situations, situations where feelings get shoved aside while you deal with "life or death" situations.)

LOL, you'll eventually get confident enough that when the jerk tech tells you the gown won't tie itself, you'll quip back, "Well, duh", or something equally eloquent. She'll then get the message - you're no longer afraid of her. An experienced tech can save the butt of a new OR nurse, too. Just pay your dues.

As for her being indispensable, well, that's today.

I'd ignore her, too, just as she ignores you. She's a miserably, crabby wretch. I've known so many in my life. They're everywhere, but OR's seem to have more than other settings.

Good luck, get tough. And if it doesn't work out but you still want to do OR, find a different OR. The culture could be different.

Krystle022 · Dec 13, 2012

Very sad but it is what it is, just get one year under your belt and you can go somewhere else. Which state do you live in?

Krystle022 · Dec 13, 2012

Well said!

astrn · Dec 14, 2012

thanks for your feedback! i really appreciate you taking the time to respond to my post!

astrn · Dec 15, 2012

dear cheese potato,

I tried to reply to you but for some reason my response keeps getting rejected. Something about having 15 post before you can use the pm. I wanted you to know I appreciate all of your input! It meant a lot to me after a rough week! Thanks again!!

kguill975, MSN, APRN, NP · Dec 16, 2012

As an adult learner, I've been "new" at something many times as I went from CST to RN to NP/RNFA. I have never encountered this type of behavior in a place of employment. It angers me to think that these so called "professionals" would treat a part of their "team" that way. The ribbing and the joking is to be expected, but not to the extent that it's affecting you negatively. I think the conspirators feel that as long as you are the target, they're safe. I blame everyone there for being enablers. Life is too short, find an institution that focuses on teaching and patient care, and not petty antics. If you can find a university based level one trauma hospital, there's no better learning experience. Good Luck to you!

Ruby Vee, BSN · Dec 16, 2012

Do you want to work in the OR or not? That seems to be the basic question. If you don't really want to work in the OR after having some exposure to the job, then you have your answer. If you DO really want to work in the OR, you're going to have to ride out some hazing. Try to ride it out with good grace and a sense of humor.

If most everyone you've encountered has been good to work with, concentrate on those people and not the ones who aren't so good to work with. Don't let a few people with less than stellar interpersonal skills deflect you from a goal you've set for yourself and that you still find yourself wanting to attain.

It sounds as if people are trying to educate you -- albeit not in the best manner. Or not in the best manner for you. Believe it or not, you don't have to like people to learn from them, and they don't have to like you for you to be able to learn from them. They don't have to be good teachers. If you really want to learn this, learn it. I see an awful lot of assumptions on your part, assigning motives to others and interpreting "looks" and "tone of voice" to mean that people don't like you or are trying to trip you up. You can "see in her eyes" how much she "despises" you. Really? A "stern voice" may mean that the person takes their job very seriously -- or it may mean that you're overreacting because rainbows aren't flying out of their orifices every time they speak to you. It may also mean they they don't like you, but what of it? Not everyone is going to like you.

Your co-worker may or may not be hostile, and she may or may not like you. There's not much to be gained by confronting her, except that if she didn't already despise you, you may tip the scales in that direction. Why not try a calm, honest conversation with her? Don't make any assumptions about what she's thinking or feeling . . . after all, she's the only one who knows for sure. Maybe she'll tell you that she's never precepted before and she's scared to death. Or maybe she'll tell you that she thinks you're too slow or too sensitive or not studying enough on your own. Confronting her may just make her angry. As far as spreading the word . . . your co-workers have known her longer than you have. If she's the type who takes against every newbie, they'll know that. But on the other hand, if you really are screwing up, they'll figure that out sooner or later with or without her input.

Poochiewoochie · Dec 18, 2012

What's really sad is these people are supposed to be professionals. They went to college to attain a degree and somewhat look their noses down on others who didn't. Such shameful behavior.

canesdukegirl, BSN, RN · Dec 21, 2012

OP...hang in there. A bit of hazing should be expected in the OR. The Otis elevator joke has been long running. They wouldn't kid around with you if they thought you were a total idiot. They want to see how you react.

As far as the RNFA goes, her behavior seems "territorial" to me. She is also testing you. You wrote:

"She also asks for things in a very stern way and half the time she says stuff really quick almost on purpose so i have to ask her to repeat it to make sure I get the right item."

She is likely wanting to see if you are paying attention to the field. This is an assumption, but I have seen residents and attendings do this.

If, when you ask her to repeat the requested item, and she is downright nasty/condescending to you, simply reply that you don't have a comprehension problem, you just didn't hear what she said. The onus then lies with her to repeat what she needs in a more respectful way.

I'll share a story with you:

When I first started in the OR, I was humble, vigilant, always positive and very eager to learn. I smiled all the time, and thought that my outgoing attitude would be embraced. I knew that the OR was a tightly knit group, and was prepared to "take my lumps". I got the same 'Otis elevator' joke, got sent on wild goose chases for a 'henway', etc. Staff snickered behind my back, and made bets on how long it would take for me to lose my sunny disposition. I also felt that I was being scrutinized.

I WAS being scrutinized. The team wanted to make sure that I understood the rationale behind my implementations (i.e., sterile prep), if I could think on my feet, and if I had not only a sense of humor, but also a thick skin.

I learned the hard way that being "nice" isn't necessarily an asset that is valuable in the OR. Some people equate nice with weak. Not saying that's right, but sometimes, that's the perception. The surgeons don't care if you are nice; they are only concerned that you know what you're doing.

Without going into a long drawn out explanation of the definition of nice, let's suffice it to say that you should conduct yourself in a professional way, with a sort of "neutrality" in the beginning. Don't be overly nice, don't try to strike up conversations during a procedure, and don't knock yourself out trying to appease every single person in the OR. Be inquisitive at the appropriate times, and do your homework. Prepare by looking at the cases that you will be doing the next day, and research the procedures.

Snarky remarks from the RNFA ("it isn't going to tie itself") should be met with a neutral tone, tinged with JUST the right amount of backbone. I am having a hard time giving an example of how you should do this, because I am a very sarcastic person by nature. I would have said something like "Oh yeah. I remember reading that in a textbook somewhere." When you stand up for yourself while alluding to the ridiculousness of these kinds of comments, the staff will likely think, "hmmmm....she's gonna fit in nicely!"

Bottom line: be prepared, don't take anything personally, when you get pushed, push back (gently and tactfully with the right amount of wit). The staff and surgeons will respect you if they know that you can hold your own.

carolurbe · Dec 25, 2012

I have experienced the same as well but now I can say that I have gained confidence in all that I do...just like what they have said be prepared when going to work and concentrate on people who are nice to you. ..

wartthree · Dec 26, 2012

When you tie her up, if your gowns has velcro near the neck, take a lil bit of her hair net and stick it to the velcro. I had a tech that was always making me run for stuff than giggle about it. Her hat got stuck to her velcro and when that happens you can't move your head very well, so she asked me to fix it for her..."oh so you need me to do something for you huh, you gonna keep being a twerp?" And now it's a joke between us and I tell her that if she doesnt settle down I'm gonna stick her hat to her velcro.

Unfortunately as many others have said the OR is a very difficult place to work and also to get into the group. But once you do, it all is ok. The doc just has to feel like he is God, just play his game, study up on the cases you'll be doing with him, and maybe even ask him questions, even if you know the answers. It makes them feel good. You may find 9 months down the road when you've settled in that tech may tell you she never had a problem with you and thought very highly of you.

I would however address that behavior of hazing to your manager or an educator (not preceptor). It is something many managers are aware of and most facilities are trying to tackle, but it is a huge problem.

Good Luck, it's a great career if you've got the skin for it.