New Orientee

[technonurse]

Hello everyone. I need some help and advice. I just started a new job in the OR after a year and half in med-surg. I am currently in the 9th week of orientation with the first 4 weeks spent in classroom. My Preceptor seems to be getting frustrated with me. I am frist new RN they hired into ortho with no OR experience. My preceptor seems i am going to slow when passing instruments and not anticipating the surgery if i am not already passing the instruement to doctor without them asking for it even if its my frist time scrubbing in a case. The problem also is that when i see other people scrub techs and RN's passing instruements they are going slower then I am but preceptor likes to pass instruments like lighting and then gives me looks or says im slow if i dont pass insturments like her. She also makes me run around and do the job of both scrub and circulator and if i dont do both at the same time I get yelled at. I hard just being new at scrubbing but having me open up all the case carts and get and check all the supplies before srubbing then tell me I'm moving to slow does not seem fair, especially when no one else is set to the same standards. See also thinks that showing me or tell me the name of an insturment or procdure once is enough for me to remember it even if i dont see or hear it again till two weeks later. I learn by doing the same thing a few times but my memory does not in the fashion as she wants it to. I am getting very scared for my job because she is one of the older RNs their and good friends with the boss. I really respect her knowledge and experience but I feel I am having trouble getting her to understand what I need in order to learn. I tried speaking to her once when felt like she blew me off. Im not sure what to do. I will currently be starting to circulate soon and that phase of the orientation will go better. thank all for letting me vent.

[GadgetRN71, ASN, RN]

Sorry you're having such a tough time..Is it just the Ortho service you are having difficulty with? Ortho can be tough, especially for someone new to the OR..Some people are very good at their jobs, but don't remember what it was like when they were new. Expecting you to anticipate every little thing right now is a bit harsh-anticipation comes with experience as does speed. Even though this person is friendly with the boss, I still think you should approach your boss about this. There is a professional, classy way to do this. Tell her that you like the OR and want to learn but that you may need a little time. Ask her for specific things to work on and let her see that you are trying to fix things. The checking of the case cart is actually a very good habit to get into, especially if you didn't pick that case yourself. After all, it is you who will be in trouble if you don't have what you need. There are instrument books that may help you learn the instruments. But when it is all said and done, you can only do so much..All of this is not your fault. It sounds as though this workplace needs a refresher on how to properly orient new staff. I'm pulling for you. Good luck!

[ewattsjt]

agreed with witchyrn!!! it does seem a little much in what you know and the rate you are expected to know it. even a new tech graduate who is a new hire has had a minimum of 9 mths in the or setting learning the supplies and instruments. as withcyrn stated, get some instrument books and learn the commonly used instruments.

in the facility where i work, the role of the circulator and scrub overlap. while it is the job of the scrub to check equipment, or furniture, case carts etc… it is also the job of the circulator. making sure you check or recheck the equipment and supplies only ensures patient safety and keeps you from running your legs off.

that’s my 2 cents for what it’s worth.

[CDNORRN]

I feel your pain! I am worried that the preceptor you have might not be the right person for you. You are within your right to request a conference with your clinical educator (who probably set you two up together). Your current situation sounds like a complete disaster. Your poor head must be just spinning. Please be very cognisant of the fact that just because a nurse is a good nurse in the OR and may have many years experience, that doesn't necessarily make her a good teacher. She may well have been chose because of the above by her facility but the two of you need to click. Furthermore, ortho is the last service you should be doing first. You need to start off gently. General surgery is usually the first place new orientees get to experience. Ortho, neuro and CVTS all should be much later in the orientation process. I have found that nurses who learned to scrub, and scrub well in services did much better when it came to circulating, they were better able to meet the needs of the surgical team. And please don't get caught up in the paper work. I have often finished mine in PACU. The patient always comes first (anesthesia personel count on you). Surgery then follows. Hope this is somewhat helpful.

[passionate]

I agree--try to arrange for a new preceptor or at least one who can weigh in on the dilemma you find yourself in. Hey--are all of the preceptors out there reading this?