too nice/quiet for the OR?

$fracturenurse$ · Feb 2, 2009

Do you like the OR? It sounds as if you don't really care for it. I think we all need "mental health days" where we call in because we just need a day off. But, you sound so unhappy. I wish I knew what to tell you, I didn't like the OR at first but I was in a crappy OR with terrible coworkers. Maybe try another hospital? Someplace smaller like a surgery center? I wish you luck and keep us updated.

QHnurse07 · Feb 3, 2009

I do like it, I enjoy the blood and guts very much :) I just cringe when I know I'm going to be with a surgeon who has the potential to be nasty. I don't know how to deal with it...I work at a major regional level 1 trauma center, I think possibly going smaller would possibly be a help as well...not to mention something has to be closer. It's an hour-long commute.

IsseyM · Feb 3, 2009

Hi QHnurse, i could of written the same post myself. I have been a circulator in the OR for 2 and half years. I am also quiet and too nice. I am somewhat shy and lack self confidence. It took me over a year to get to know some of the surgeons and anesthesiologists, i mean like be able to conversate with them. I still feel like i walk on eggshells almost everyday because i am afraid of getting yelled at. I sometimes feel like i'm in a emotionally abusive relationship with some of the mean surgeons. Some of them can be so nasty and make you feel like you're the dumbest thing on the planet. I also cringe when i know i have to be with them all day. I like to do a good job and put alot of pressure on myself to do the best i can but i also realize i am only human and i do make mistakes. It was really really hard the 1st year for me. I also had co-workers who shared the same feelings as i did. Some of them very timid and shy but still in the OR. Many of us talked about quitting the program, we vented to each other everyday how much we hated the OR and which surgeons we ****** off. Actually we still vent to each other. I do like surgery though especially open belly cases. I don't know why but i do like the blood and weird stuff. There are some days i just love the OR and don't want to do anything else and there are days i can't stand it and think about leaving. You definately do get tired of dealing with BS in the OR, i usually just vent to my co-workers and friends. I go to the gym to deal with the stress. I also take the time to do things i enjoy, taking care of ME. As far as how to handle dealing with the mean surgeons i'm still struggling with that but i have realized to not take it personal because most of the time they are mad at the situation and not you. Anytime you need to vent or discuss anything come here, it helps. Good luck!

linda2097 · Feb 3, 2009

...I work at a major regional level 1 trauma center, I think possibly going smaller would possibly be a help as well...not to mention something has to be closer. It's an hour-long commute.

If I were you, I would switch to a closer hospital, but it won't necessarily be easier. The nice thing about level 1 trauma centers is that there are surgical residents and anesthesia residents that do a lot of your work. In a smaller hospital, you have to help the anesthesiologist more, and scrubbing is often harder because you often have to first-assist while being the scrub nurse.

If you do switch to another hospital, you will probably get a lot more respect because you will no longer be the newbie. In your current hospital, you will always be seen as the nurse that they taught. In a new hospital, you will be seen as an experienced nurse who knows what she is doing.

lilla_fjaril · Feb 3, 2009

Hey-

I'm just starting out in the OR and this is a big worry of mine. I don't think that I'm too nice, but I am non-confrontational in the sense that just because a doc snaps at me or says 'hurry up. i need that now,' I'm not going to get all up in his face and tell him not to talk to me like that, etc. I don't think that makes me a whipping girl. I just think it makes me someone who picks her battles and doesn't sweat the small stuff, but I've been told that snapping back is the way to get surgeons to leave you alone.

I'm not sure what you mean by 'act out.' I don't think it's in my job description to reprimand a surgeon who is acting a fool unless his behavior might compromise the patient's safety. However, if you DID observe a sterile field break that would you be able to speak up about it? Some of your hesitance may just be lack of confidence. You don't feel like you're performing at your peak ability yet, which is normal I think after just 1 year in the OR, so how can you point out flaws in someone else's performance. This should fade in time as you gain confidence.

Does your hospital have an EAP program? There's no shame at all in talking to someone about your communication issues. I'm not saying 'rat out' particular surgeons. I'm just saying talk to someone who can help you have an easier time communicating and dealing with difficult personalities. if you can't do this, go to a trusted OR coworker and ask their advice. Maybe you're unconsciously exaggerating the extent to which you're an 'outsider.'

I've always been respected as a good worker and I might become depressed if my OR environment is one where I am constantly belittled and berated. My floor experiences weren't any better though. Maybe dealing with a few high-strung surgeons is easier than 8 cranky patients and multiple catty coworkers.

If not, cheer up, your long commute gives you an easy out to quit and you can always do something like research or disease control or go work for the people who make laproscopic equipment, etc. It's nursing--the opportunities are endless :)

Good luck girl

GadgetRN71, ASN, RN · Feb 4, 2009

Hey-
I'm just starting out in the OR and this is a big worry of mine. I don't think that I'm too nice, but I am non-confrontational in the sense that just because a doc snaps at me or says 'hurry up. i need that now,' I'm not going to get all up in his face and tell him not to talk to me like that, etc. I don't think that makes me a whipping girl. I just think it makes me someone who picks her battles and doesn't sweat the small stuff, but I've been told that snapping back is the way to get surgeons to leave you alone.
I'm not sure what you mean by 'act out.' I don't think it's in my job description to reprimand a surgeon who is acting a fool unless his behavior might compromise the patient's safety. However, if you DID observe a sterile field break that would you be able to speak up about it? Some of your hesitance may just be lack of confidence. You don't feel like you're performing at your peak ability yet, which is normal I think after just 1 year in the OR, so how can you point out flaws in someone else's performance. This should fade in time as you gain confidence.
Does your hospital have an EAP program? There's no shame at all in talking to someone about your communication issues. I'm not saying 'rat out' particular surgeons. I'm just saying talk to someone who can help you have an easier time communicating and dealing with difficult personalities. if you can't do this, go to a trusted OR coworker and ask their advice. Maybe you're unconsciously exaggerating the extent to which you're an 'outsider.'
I've always been respected as a good worker and I might become depressed if my OR environment is one where I am constantly belittled and berated. My floor experiences weren't any better though. Maybe dealing with a few high-strung surgeons is easier than 8 cranky patients and multiple catty coworkers.
If not, cheer up, your long commute gives you an easy out to quit and you can always do something like research or disease control or go work for the people who make laproscopic equipment, etc. It's nursing--the opportunities are endless :)
Good luck girl

Good post..I was always told I was "too quiet" for the OR and I never thought of myself as confrontational. Two and a half years later, and I told off 2 anesthesiologists and a surgeon just in the last month. I didn't swear or scream, but I let them know in no uncertain terms that I didn't appreciate the nonsense. Also helps when you have support from your workplace...mine has just seemed to realize that nasty attitudes from medical staff can negatively impact care(Well, duh! :lol2:

:icon_roll). I did not suffer any repurcussions from my assertiveness...if anything these people have treated me better. So, as scary as it may be, sometimes you have to stand strong.

QHnurse07 · Feb 5, 2009

thanks for the replies, everyone! :heartbeat Issey:somehow I'm the only person in my periop group that's shy and quiet! Is it all getting better for you? I really hope so, everyone says it only gets better. I'm SO glad that you know what i'm talking about. Sometimes I feel like I'm the only one and I'm just weird and antisocial or something.

Linda: I will probably switch to a closer hospital at some point, I'm really going to try to hang in here for awhile, at least until September so I get some of my tuition reimbursed. I think a smaller, close hospital would be great but I have also considered that I will have more responsibilities and tasks there. Probably if I stay where I am for awhile, even if just for experience; it will be better for me once I finally do make the switch.

Lilla: It's not that my OR is bad, and most of the surgeons are relatively nice. There are that special few though...I think I just am mainly stressed because I feel like I don't have good working relationships with the docs and they don't really know me. I think they and I would be more comfortable if they knew I was fine and capable. I just need to start talking more!

Witchy: I've thought about going non-clinical as well, but it seems like the jobs are hard to find. I've looked online and there are lots of management positions (which I obviously wouldn't want to do since I don't like confrontation, etc) and other jobs which require years of experience in that position. Neither of which benefit me right now. One of these days, I PRAY that I will be able to tell somebody off! I'm pretty sure that will improve my self-confidence immediately. I think I'll survive this just because I get along w/the nursing staff and have friends from work that I go out with...so I'm not totally on my own.

Also, in general, I've figured out last night that my mini-meltdowns at work are occurring before my monthly joy! I noticed that around the week before, I'm so ready to quit and not even be a nurse anymore...and then the next day I have a fine day and all is well. My fiance has noticed this as well, so maybe I need to keep this in mind before I freak and make a rash decision. :icon_hug:

nurseannika · Feb 6, 2009

Hey I'm kinda like you, a little shy, unconfident, and I work in the OR. However, I work in an outpatient surgery center (never the hospital OR) and all of our doctors are really really nice!!! Only one or two have yelled at me (out of 9 surgeons) but the rest are incredibly nice, even help set up the OR/patient/meds/get their own supplies, etc so it makes up for the 2 not so nice ones. Perhaps you could find a smaller surgery center (2-3 ORs) with notoriously nice surgeons and young staff. I think that would really help you!! You definitely have enough experience. Plus no call, weekends, holidays, etc etc. Good luck!!!

Scrubby · Feb 7, 2009

From my own experience I too can remember how intimidating the surgeons were at first and how embarrassed I felt when being reprimanded.

My advice is if your being yelled at, don't yell back because your going down to their level. What I do is cut in and say 'Hey!' really loudly to cut them off. I'll then tell them not to talk to me like that, I work much better when I'm not being yelled at'. If this doesn't stop the yelling then turn your back on them and just start speaking to someone else in the room about something completely unrelated like 'hey how about this weather we're having'. What are they doing to do, report you for ignoring their childish behaviour? You will get far more respect when you demonstrate to them that you will not react to their bullying, you are above yelling back at them and being just as bad, and that you are able to ignore them.

oslogirl · Jul 10, 2009

Hi. 1.You are working at a level one trauma center... GREAT EXPERIENCE!!!

2. You like the job

3. Like most of your coworkers

4. Some surgeons are real sobs. :bugeyes:

Stop being so hard on yourself! I suggest you look into assertiveness training. There are tons of books/workshops available. It will help you cope, and I hope you keep the job you like.

muffin7 · Jul 12, 2009

I do like it, I enjoy the blood and guts very much :) I just cringe when I know I'm going to be with a surgeon who has the potential to be nasty. I don't know how to deal with it...I work at a major regional level 1 trauma center, I think possibly going smaller would possibly be a help as well...not to mention something has to be closer. It's an hour-long commute.

I used to work in a Trauma I OR in Los Angeles and loved it except management was horrible. I love working with the Trauma surgeons, they rarely got upset and I am sure it was because they were sooo competent. The surgeons that get ***** are usually the ones with no confidence. I now work in a surgery center where there are more egos but I love the place. We can be really busy and then it can be pretty quiet. I have to say, I miss the traumas (MGSW, MS, etc) and those great surgeons (basically with no ego at all). :lol2:

Get your experience and then move on. The Hosp where I got my training is known throughout the country. When my co-workers find out where I used to work they are really impressed.