circulating nurse = "go-fer" with no use for "real" nursing skills?

[RunnerRN2015]

After 20 years of teaching, I'm back in school pursuing what I've always wanted to do: to be a nurse. I've always been interested in the OR and I am amazed at the number of RNs and fellow students who are trying to talk me out of it. Everyone tells me I'll be nothing but a "go-fer"....I will lose all my nursing skills.....I'll be stuck there because floors won't hire me since I'll have lost my skills. I don't know "for sure" that I want the OR but as of now it's high on my list of potential preceptor sites. The hospital system that I will be hired into is a large teaching hospital so 1) they use surg techs for scrubbing and 2) they use residents for first assists (which is a bummer because I would love to do that!). They offer a 6 month "periop 101" paid training program with a 2 year commitment. Nurses are taught to scrub in case techs aren't available or need to be relieved for breaks but it's mainly circulating duties.

Circulating nurses -- please share with me what types of things you do! I get to shadow in the OR in a few weeks so I'm looking forward to that but I know I won't see everything.

Thank you!

[chloebonnie]

this is a great post, thank you all for sharing your experiences

[beachgirl17]

As other posters have said, when you are new, it may be a lot of running around, plugging stuff in, listening for your scrub telling you what they need next. They are not "telling you what to do." They are HELPING you. They have experience and are thinking ahead. Use them as a resource person. They are your teammate and want the case to go smoothly. Plugging stuff in and running around will decrease as your experience increases.

My thoughts on why I love the OR:

1. One patient at a time.

2. Listen to music all day, every day.

3. You are making a direct impact on a person's life by ensuring the surgery is successful.

4. I like being part of a team.

5. I like being very organized and to have know what could happen next. Is the OR prone to having unforeseen events? Sure, but after a few years, you have some knowledge to know the potential pitfalls and what complications may arise and plan for it.

6. No call bells. I know this sounds terrible, but oh so true!

7. Saved the best for last ----- the wonder of the human body. Seriously! Not trying to be cheesy. When I am feeling down about work, tired, etc., I stop and look, really LOOK, at what is going on in the case. Human anatomy is beautiful and the miracle of life. Yes, I know OB think they have the corner on the miracle of life stuff, but the OR literally sees life itself, as well. You do not have to be scrubbed in to see this (although I do highly recommend it, if offered in training).

Ok, enough ramblings on the joys of OR.

I am currently working on my MSN with emphasis on education. I plan on being an educator of nursing students and an advocate for the OR - pique their interest in working in the OR. The nurses in the OR are aging and we need enthusiastic, new nurses to eventually take our place.