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!
Specializes in med-surg, IMC, school nursing, NICU.
I'm surprised you were even hired with a commute that long. Does your OR position require taking call? A commute that longs makes it seem like you'd have a really hard time coming in for call in a timely manner. That to me indicates they were desperate for warm bodies in the OR which is a red flag.
Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
I'm surprised you were even hired with a commute that long. Does your OR position require taking call? A commute that longs makes it seem like you'd have a really hard time coming in for call in a timely manner. That to me indicates they were desperate for warm bodies in the OR which is a red flag.
It's not where the employee lives that's an issue. I work with many who commute from an hour or so away, despite the fact that the call response is 30 minutes. The expectations is on them to make arrangements to be within the 30 minute range when on call. Those who voice a willingness to meet those expectations- whether it's staying with a coworker/friend/family member, using the on call apartment, or paying for a hotel room- are considered for open positions. I wouldn't necessarily consider it a red flag.
When I started in the OR as a new graduate we received 8 months of orientation (2 months in the classroom for Periop101 and then 6 months with a preceptor). This has since been cut down to 6 months total.
Wow. Just... Wow. I feel for you, trust me. I am in a very similar situation.
First, do you get a morning break? At my facility, we get an AM break, lunch at 11, done by 3. We do 35-40 surgeries/day, though some weeks are lighter than others. In my state, we are actually entitled to getting two 15-minute breaks, but we're usually lighter in the afternoon so we can often self-break. Morning can be hectic, but there are some real break Nazis at the desk that make sure we all have had one (STs and RNs).
Orientation was 6 months. The first 3 were classroom, with a couple days observing in the OR. Then we slowly transitioned into the OR, practicing skills in the classroom (opening, setting up sterile fields, gowning/gloving, etc.) and then we started doing more in the OR. During the entire 6 month orientation, we were 1:1 with a preceptor at all times. During our last month or few remaining weeks of orientation, we were left alone in the room, but our preceptor was right outside the door or easily reached if we needed her. She came in periodically, helped with turn overs, etc.
Spending "a few hours" in the OR does not accurately portray the role of the nurse in the OR, and all the responsibility and politics involved with that. It's tough work. I've been on my own for 9 months, and certain cases are still overwhelming.
So. Let me be clear when I say that you need to make a decision that is best for YOU. Fully weigh your options and make a decision in sound mind. With that being said... I signed a 2 year commitment contract with prorated $$ to pay back if I break the contract. In your situation, they have not upheld their end. Therefore, the contract is not valid. You do not have to be held to the same expectation if the other party didn't do what they said they'd do. Talk to HR or an attorney for clarification, your state may be different. Do you have documentation that can support your claim? Get some.
My training was adequate, but the environment is toxic. For reasons of confidentiality and personal privacy, I am not going to detail my experiences publicly. However, I have weighed my options and I am getting out as soon as I can. My mental and physical health are suffering due to my place of employment, and I simply cannot do it any more. I am one of a handful of other RNs that will be leaving for the exact same reasons, all of us with different years and areas of experience. It sounds like your place is just trying to get as many circulators as possible, with no regard to how adequate their training is. It doesn't seem like your managers or educator(s) have your best interest in mind; they don't sound supportive or even safe. That's a problem.
My advice? Apply elsewhere and go on as many interviews as possible. Don't rule anything out: med-surg, ICU, ER, etc. Whatever is an open spot that meets your criteria, go. If you find a good fit somewhere else and they offer you a position, quit and don't look back. If your manager has a reputation for ruining your career options on other units within that hospital, go outside your system.
If you can't get out of your end of the contract (which I find unlikely unless there's some crazy fine print somewhere), then bite the bullet and pay back the money. It's only money, and once it's paid off, it's done; Think of it like a credit card. What price do you put on your health? Your ethics? License? Time with family and loved ones?
My OR experience has taught me many things, one of which to advocate for myself because no one else is going to. Good luck!!
JerseyTomatoMDCrab, BSN
588 Posts
I'm surprised you were even hired with a commute that long. Does your OR position require taking call? A commute that longs makes it seem like you'd have a really hard time coming in for call in a timely manner. That to me indicates they were desperate for warm bodies in the OR which is a red flag.