Help! I may get fired!

Specialties Operating Room

Published

I am a new OR nurse (July 2006). Graduated from nursing school 6/06, and am 45 years old.

I had a meeting yesterday with our teacher practictioner about their "concerns" with my work and learning curve.

Apparently, I'm not "putting together" everything I know and running a room smoothly, in a timely matter. They say I'm relying too much on the surg techs, and that someone else has to do the tasks that I don't do. Let me state for the record that I am not lazy in the least, nor am I stupid! Unfortunately, though, all of their observations are right on the money.

I get myself so worked up about getting everything right that I freeze and forget everything I know when the time comes. Also, one little mistake will send me into a tailspin so that I can't do anything right afterwards, and the entire case just goes into the toilet. I can't seem to "think out of the box" when something goes wierd in a case.

They also said that I was inattentive to the field, which is patently untrue. I have a pretty severe hearing loss and am trying to get my hearing aids adjusted so that they work well in the OR. I have repeatedly told the people I work with to call me by name first so I know they're talking to me and then speak to me loudly. But it seems this is ticking a lot of people off, because they see my poor performance and probably think that my "hearing loss" is just an excuse (it is not).

Yesterday, they asked me if I was happy there. Every day, even on the bad days, I think to myself how fortunate I am to have such an amazing job. I don't want to have to leave, but I need to be realistic too.

Is this something I can work through, or is my personality such that I will never be a good OR nurse? I was also raised during the time when doctors were God, and you would never question or disagree with them. I know everybody says to "just suck it up," "never let them see you cry," "get a thicker skin," etc.

Unfortunatly, that is easier said than done. It is not how I am hard-wired. BTW, my patients love me. They find me very caring and comforting. It's the rest of the job I can't seem to get a grip on.

Sorry this is so long. I just don't know what to do. Thanks

Caring and comforting don't matter much when a patient is under anesthesia.

What you said about being unable to "think outside the box" if the teeniest thing goes wrong concerns me, as do your hearing aids that don't work properly. You must be quick on the uptake in such an intense environment, and you must be able to know people are talking to you. It isn't their responsibility while under pressure themselves to remember your special needs. BTW, I am somewhat deaf as well.

I'm sure that you would be a valuable nurse in a less critical atmosphere.

Specializes in SICU.

Different personalities have either an easier or harder time in different departments. It seems that you are saying that you are hard wired (personality) to not function well in a OR. Before getting fired, you should talk to your manager about the type of nurse that you are and which department might be a better fit for you. Getting a transfer in-hospital is better than having to look for another job in another hospital, as long as you like the hospital. I hope things work out for you.

Well, judging by the two replies I have received along with the number of people who have read this thread and not responded, I have to think that most of you believe I should just give it up & go into another area of nursing. OK then, when I go in today I'll look at the jobs available & see if there's anything that looks good to me. Sigh. I'm really going to miss it.

Dont give up!!!! Do whatever it is you can to try your hardest. THink positive let go of any negative thoughts and say "I can do this" I can do anything I put my mind to. Try your hardest thats all you can do and then if it doesnt go well get some experience in a diff. department and then go back to this hectic dept.

Not every job is meant for every one. It sounds like this job does not suit you RIGHT NOW. try another job get some experience and different view points and then you should try it again. If you have never lost then you have never been in a real game. Do not let this be a permanent defeat. Try to practice the skills you were weak in. Try to observe tha teams in action as much as possible. Good luck do what makes you happy.

Specializes in ER.

This is your first job and quick thinking comes with time. Also hearing people who speak from behind masks would give me a huge problem too. I really don't think the OR is your niche, nor do I think it was a failure on your part- just the wrong fit. Wait til you hit med-surg where you have concious patients to appreciate you, and coworkers to bounce things off of in a crisis. You'll do fine.

Well, judging by the two replies I have received along with the number of people who have read this thread and not responded, I have to think that most of you believe I should just give it up & go into another area of nursing. OK then, when I go in today I'll look at the jobs available & see if there's anything that looks good to me. Sigh. I'm really going to miss it.

I'm not a nurse, and I've never worked in a hospital. I can't relate directly to the pressures of an OR.

However, just to be honest, from reading your post, the way your employer is probably looking at things, is that you've been in the OR for almost a year, and are still having alot of trouble "grasping the basics", in your words. A year is a very long time. Not saying you should be an expert, but the basics, should be second nature.

I agree with the other poster, that a less critical area may be a better option, and if they give this to you, I would take it.

Granted, you have a major hearing loss, and if your hearing aids are not working properly, I think that this might actually be a dangerous thing in an OR, when seconds can start counting in a flash.

I wish you luck, when I finish school I'll also be an older adult new in the field. I'm keeping posts like this in mind. I wish you luck.

Specializes in SICU.
Well, judging by the two replies I have received along with the number of people who have read this thread and not responded, I have to think that most of you believe I should just give it up & go into another area of nursing. OK then, when I go in today I'll look at the jobs available & see if there's anything that looks good to me. Sigh. I'm really going to miss it.

Please don't think of it as giving up. It would be the reflection that at this moment in time the OR is not a good fit for your personality. Which was the underlying theme of your first post. Before just applying for any job that "looks good" to you, get a work personality test done. It can help guide you into an area of nursing that you not just love but will thrive in. I truly wish you the best.

This is your first job and quick thinking comes with time. Also hearing people who speak from behind masks would give me a huge problem too. I really don't think the OR is your niche, nor do I think it was a failure on your part- just the wrong fit. Wait til you hit med-surg where you have concious patients to appreciate you, and coworkers to bounce things off of in a crisis. You'll do fine.

I too think that the OR isn't your niche. 1 year is enough time to have learned enough not to freeze. You can tell that you care about your patients, so care about them in another area where you fit in. It is not "failure," rather it is finding a better fit.

Specializes in ICU of all kinds, CVICU, Cath Lab, ER..

First of all let me say that I admire you for your forthright and candid relay of the facts. You shoulder responsibility when necessary and admit your weaknesses; not many people would do that.

I have read all the comments made before I write this and some I agree with; some I don't. It's hard to walk away from something you love doing.

Meet with your manager and have a heart to heart; perhaps she/he can offer a solution.

DONT GIVE UP! But, be realistic (I really like the idea of getting more varied experience and then going back to your first love).

About the hearing - I work with an RN too vain to wear them and deaf as a door knob - she makes it extremely difficult to work with her - her loud voice wakes all my patients in this little unit!!

Best of luck... keep us posted!!

Specializes in picc certified.

It takes at least a year to "get it " in the O.R. and the educator should know this, if you like me learn by doing somedays you learn alot because nothing goes right but then you know what to do when it doesnt go right.Dont give up just yet talk with the manager and get clear where improvements are needed and focus there.Good luck.

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