O.R. nursing not for everyone

[Tseringurung]

This article summarizes about my experiences working as an OR nurse. How I feel about working in the OR and what my next transition in life is going to be.

I started working in the OR since 2015 after my graduation. My first OR job was in a trauma hospital. This placed shaped me in so many ways that sometimes I cannot imagine that I went through all that. I guess we all have to start somewhere, right? I fainted twice while scrubbing. One time I had not eaten breakfast, it was my first big case of liver resection and the surgeon was the type no one enjoying with due to his personality. I was rushed to the E.R. Later, my colleagues said that I turned pale and fell unconscious on the floor. I remember my head nurse saying, "maybe this is not for her." I thought that I really could not be an OR nurse after that incident, but my preceptor would always say, "no one is born an OR nurse, you learn with time." I kept her words close to my heart, learned to scrub and circulate with surgeons whom I did not like working with and somehow made it to my first year in the trauma center.

Honestly, trauma OR was not for me so I decided to opt for an orthopedic hospital instead. Here I am working in an Orthopedic hospital for a little over two years now, and I am not so sure if I can continue. My shift does not do justice at all. I give relief breaks to nurses who have morning shifts. Some nurses can be so disorganized and messy. That alone is enough to give me stress. Then you have surgeons who work depending on their mood. On top of that some surgical techs who are so frustrating to work with. Some days you don't get to have lunch breaks because the cases are over booked and people call out sick so you have no choice.

By nature, I am quite reserved and don't talk much to people I don't know. And I am the same inside the OR as well. From my experiences so far, I realized that you do have to talk out loud and express your views and concerns and thoughts if you want to be acknowledged. You have to be that nurse who can confront the surgeons. You have to have a firm voice and be able to say no to their pressures. I tried, and I am still trying, but I don't think I will be able to change who I am as a person. I am the kind of person who like to do my work quietly, quickly, and not be noticed. But sometimes, with my kind of personality, people do take advantage and treat me lesser. I have worked with these surgeons for two years now and some still don't know my name. Some surgeons are so demanding that they don't understand you only have two hands and two feet and can only do so much. But we still have to meet their demands because we want to impress the surveyors/visitors/patients.

I remember in college one of my professor told the class that if we ever feel burnt out at work, it is time for a change. I think that time has come for me. I am thankful for these years of experience, but I need a change. My next move is to go back to school for NP. I know it will be challenging as well, but I am ready. Change has always been better for me. OR is a great place to work because it pays well, you are constantly moving in a fast pace environment, you get to interact with other professionals all through out the day, but I think I need a change for good.

[benrosy]

Hi,

Reading your message just sounds like the person I am. I have worked in the OR for a few years, and honestly I just don't think I can be an OR nurse forever. I recently completed my BSN and CNOR, and now I'm applying to NP school. I was planning to go back to school, but I wasn't sure what to go for. I looked into education but then realized I like the patient interaction and the best choice for me is becoming an NP! I have applied to three different schools and I am very hopeful to start this Fall.

I would say go back to school for your NP.

Wish you the best of luck in whatever you decide.

[Tseringurung]

So, did you start school yet? How is it going?