New OR nurse who wants to quit in less than 6mos

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Hello all and thank you in advanced for taking the time to read this. I am a brand new Dec 2015 grad and new to the OR. I finished Periop 101 March 25 and I have been in rooms since. Now, less than 4 weeks later my hospital has me being a circulator by myself in GEN and GYN cases on April 26 and 29 with more solo cases planned for the following weeks. I am being told someone is on standby just a phone call away but none of that makes me feel comfortable. I am terribly nervous about the pace that they are moving me along because our OR is so desperate for Circulators.

I signed a 2 year contract that the hospital values at $5,000. I drive 140miles every day of the week. I knew about the drive before, but felt that I was so excited that it would be worth it. Well...needless to say this has not been worth it. I didn't know that I had so little hands on with the patient and I'm desperately missing patient care.

I'm concerned about losing my license if I make a mistake since my orientation seems to be rushed along due to the OR wanting to open more rooms up.

I turned down an ICU residency program and I really regret turning it down. I re-applied for it and had an interview that went really well. No offers have been just yet. I just don't know if its smart for me to quit so quickly? If I should stay at least 6mo? If it is normal for me to be circulating solo so quickly?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advanced!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

What is your plan for your existing contract?

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

You are aware that you'll owe money if you break the contract, right? I don't have much experience with OR beyond what I did while deployed, so I am not sure what the normal progression is for newbie to circulator. If you do make the leap to the ICU, I hope the commute is at least shorter for you. Part of me thinks that you signed a contract and should honor it — they have made a significant investment in your training that $5000 doesn't cover.

You say that you weren't aware of the lack of hands-on as an OR nurse, which leads me to believe that you didn't research the specialty at all. Have you researched ICU nursing? It would be terrible to break this contract, pay that money, take a new job, and not like that job either.

Lots to consider. Good luck to you!!

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Pixie.RN I plan on paying out the contract. In nursing school I was able to shadow in the OR for 1 day for 3 surgeries. I'm not sure about others experiences, but at my school OR experiences was limited. I will say that I didnt do my homework. When I went to the OR I didn't pay enough attention to my role in the OR.

As far as what I know about the ICU, I precepted in the ICU for over 6 weeks while in school. I loved it and thought the OR would be the same. Hindsight has been 20/20.

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Pixie.RN I plan on paying out the contract. In nursing school I was able to shadow in the OR for 1 day for 3 surgeries. I'm not sure about others experiences, but at my school OR experiences was limited. I will say that I didnt do my homework. When I went to the OR I didn't pay enough attention to my role in the OR.

As far as what I know about the ICU, I precepted in the ICU for over 6 weeks while in school. I loved it and thought the OR would be the same. Hindsight has been 20/20.

I think this is a common problem with student nurses in the OR. The OR is new and fun and exciting! It's fun watching surgery. But there is so much more to circulating than watching surgery and most of the nursing students that come to our ORs aren't really paying attention to what that really entails.

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I think this is a common problem with student nurses in the OR. The OR is new and fun and exciting! It's fun watching surgery. But there is so much more to circulating than watching surgery and most of the nursing students that come to our ORs aren't really paying attention to what that really entails.

Springchick1 I really wonder that if I were to have a different experience if I would be so miserable. I simply hate that I was in such awe looking at the surgery that I didn't pay attention to my role. My goal is to stay 6mos. The drive is getting old for a place that I feel is rushing me out of orientation. Did you have an opinion on whether you think this is a regular pace or not?

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

CaliNurseLouisiana, how long was your Periop 101 course? Just curious.

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CaliNurseLouisiana, how long was your Periop 101 course? Just curious.

I started the online portion 3rd week in February and finished end of March. There was no classroom portion and no videos. They literally put me in front of the computer then when I was done I went straight into rooms for 3wks then this week they have started to transition me to working solo.

As a previous Nurse Tech on a Med-Tele floor for 2 years, I watched them get more orientation than me in a specialty!

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
I started the online portion 3rd week in February and finished end of March. There was no classroom portion and no videos. They literally put me in front of the computer then when I was done I went straight into rooms for 3wks then this week they have started to transition me to working solo.

Interesting. Does your contract discuss length of orientation? What was presented to you as far as how it was supposed to go?

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Interesting. Does your contract discuss length of orientation? What was presented to you as far as how it was supposed to go?

The length of orientation is suppose to be 6mo. It was supposed to be classroom, videos, and preceptor. I've precepted with every last nurse we have in the OR. Everyone does things differently. There is no standard way. There is no new Orientee binder to refer to, they simply refer me to the Hospital Policy.

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Specializes in Registered Nurse.

140 miles commute daily one way? Sometimes enthusiasm ,like a new romance, can be blinding.I have heard of new grads starting in specialties and succeeding, but it all depends on how much support you get from the organization, preceptors, coworkers. Jumping from one employer to another without 1 year of longevity will be a red flag for future employers and continuation of this cycle will put in end to your nursing career. This job in the OR, with this type of commute does not appear to be a good fit for you. However, It's important to learn as much as you can about the ICU job. Ask them questions in regards to orientation and how much they will support a new RN. Is there any possibility you can shadow an RN for this organization? It will give you a feel for THIS ICU and your coworkers. Will they support your learning needs? Your icu experience in nursing school with the support of your school and instructor may not be a good indicator of what you will experience in your new employer's ICU. If I ever decide to take on a new job in the future, if anything, I will ask the employer to allow me to shadow a nurse. Sometimes employers are so eager to fill a vacancy that they will omit or misrepresent information. At the same time, as a job seeker, we are putting our best foot forward, and employers can assume we have the experience to walk in and take over without sufficient orientation. Go ahead and make your move, but don't just run. Make the right move for you if you have a second chance. Otherwise, this cycle may repeat and I know this is not what you want to start your long term nursing career.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
The length of orientation is suppose to be 6mo. It was supposed to be classroom, videos, and preceptor. I've precepted with every last nurse we have in the OR. Everyone does things differently. There is no standard way. There is no new Orientee binder to refer to, they simply refer me to the Hospital Policy.

Yes, but what does your contract state, specifically? Was the 6 months verbal or written?

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