Qualities of a good nurse circulator

MereSanity · Mar 25, 2010

Ability to multi task (able to do at least 100 things at a time while under enormous amounts of stress). Be a good listener (you need to hear what they need on the field when 100 other things are going on). Not able to be easily flustered or frustrated under stress. Have a thick skin. Be in good shape (you lift very heavy things, crawl on the hard floor on your knees (in blood and other bodily fluids), run for whatever they tell you, etc, etc). These are just a few, there (of course) are many more.

prplscrubs · Mar 26, 2010

i agree with the above, i also believe that being able to scrub is a huge plus for a circulator. i have been in the or for 4 years straight out of college. in our internship it was mandated that we learned the scrub roll. i believe it helps you realize how they feel when they need something and are unable to obtain it for themselves makes you more aware of the field and what goes on up there. also, i see a lot of new orients who focus on the computer (we computer chart) this comes last!!!!!! patient, airway/anes, and the field needs come first this is so hard for some people to understand! good luck with the 10 commandments, are you going to post them when you are done? that would be great to see :)

Kingbandit · Apr 9, 2010

1) able to leap tall buildings with a single bound. Seriously, able to visualize the big picture.

2) good customer service (pt, family, Dr, staff, & reps)

3) able to multi-task.

4) does not know everything, but. knows where to get the info.

5) knows anatomy nearly as well as the med students (easier to anticipate/estimate length of case to keep room running well)

6) immunity to most non-life threatening illnesses.

7) mania (gets a lot done with very little sleep)

8) able to withstand a doctor yelling while realizing they are not mad at the nurse but at the situation.

9) a bladder the size of a Volkswagen.

10) ambidexterious (able to prep or place folly with both hands)

11) flexibility you may not always get your favorite service/doctor

12) strong hands and knees you'll be on them often if your doing your job right

13) great assessment skills you may have to spot a pt going south before anesthesia or the Dr see them

14) never-ending quest to learn

15) a questioning mind, our practice only advances because we ask is this truely the best practice

16) team player

17) no social/family life (call)

18) not color blind (if its blue or red, don't touch it)

Mr. & Mrs. RN · Apr 30, 2010

Be able to anticipate and not have to run out of the room very often for a supply.

Skinny-gotta be able to squeeze behind the sterile table to turn the suction on!

Super sonic hearing since ya can't ever hear what the doctor is asking for over all the noise.

Has 6 arms, 2 of which are sterile

Very tidy, rolls up his/her cords.

Critical thinker...it's too easy to do the same routine on every patient and miss something important.

Strong personality: able to stand up to whomever for the sake of the patient, and take criticism.

shaomai · Apr 30, 2010

Surgical Conscience.

goats'r'us, ASN, RN · Jul 19, 2010

must pay attention. if you're looking at your facebook, you're not looking at what I might need! the circ nurse needs to be following what's happening in the surgery so they know what the scrub will need before they need it. I had an awesome scout once who just knew what I'd need even before I did. I'd open my mouth to ask for something and she'd already be holding it out to me.

The circ also needs to be able to cope with the pre-game rush and know what can wait (paperwork) and what can't (uh, can I get some packs? Now-ish? That sure is a lot of blood...).

It's not strictly a circ nurse thing, I think this applies to every single human being on the planet, but they need GOOD PHONE MANNER!! nothing annoys me more than an on-call surgeons phone ringing and the circ nurse answering it with a rude manner. I heard a circ answer a phone and actually say (with heavy sarcasm) "yeh, of course he's scrubbed, why else would I be answering his phone?"

oh yes, and a bladder not only the size of a volkswagon, but as sturdy and reliable as a Volvo wagon.

Scrubby · Jul 20, 2010

A good scout should always be paying attention to the needs of the scrub team. For example, If we're doing a laparoscopic case and things are going pear shaped then they should be prepared for the patient to be opened up. Sponges, suction, ties, sutures, laparotomy retractors etc.

If the surgeon needs an instrument or something and it's not on the back table then the scout should be listening and anticipating what will be required. I hate having to repeat everything that the surgeon asks for, it's like playing monkey's telephone.

One thing I loathe is the scout nurse interrupting the surgeon while he is operating to dictate some irrelevant phone message. If it's not urgent then why are you being a secretary? It's OR etiquette to ask the scrub nurse if it's ok to interrupt. I have a very strict rule in my OR that phone calls are not our responsibility. Did you study to become a nurse or a secretary?

chloebonnie · Dec 2, 2016

team player and critical thinker! and flexibility of course!!

birdie22 · Dec 31, 2016

1. you cant have tunnel vision - must be able to adapt to different situations at the blink of an eye

2. colab with your scrub, youre a team. dont throw each other under the bus to the doc or management. thats immature and petty

3. "one eye and ear on the field at all times" - you might be doing the same case for the 300th time. but guess what, the 301st time is when youre patient decides to go down the tank. always be prepared, even in the "easy" cases

4. prioritization. charting always comes last but in small quick cases, you have to prioritize it more than in a longer all day case.

5. flexibility - (physical - bending down alot, getting on hands and knees, moving large equipment) - but also flexibility in your assignment -know when to complain and who to complain to. unfortunately, people like to hold grudges/judgements.

6. help your scrub - a happy scrub is a happy room.

7. but remember, always help your patient before you help your scrub

8. never doubt your sterile conscience. "see something, say something"

9. always always always take a break when offered, you never know if you'll be offered another one

10. wear support hose

jeckrn, BSN, RN · Dec 31, 2016

Sense of humor to go with the thick skin.

Ability to ask questions about why a surgeon did something to understand why to they did it. This will allow you to anticipate for future cases.