OR Travelers question for you

springchick1, ADN, RN · Mar 18, 2016

I've never been a traveler but we have travelers in our department occasionally. They normally have an "orientatIon" of about a week where they are placed with someone to show them the ropes and how we do things.

As for the shift, they work the shift that we need someone to fill. It's typically 4 10s working a later shift.

NedRN · Mar 18, 2016

When traveling to different hospitals how did instrument names vary(i.e. hemostat vs mosquito and etc..)? Just want to get a picture on what type of adjustment I'll be dealing with.

Lots of regional names. Not a big deal to add three or four names per assignment.

Also when traveling do you scrub and circulate?

It is a plus, but at many assignments you will never scrub. Cheaper tech labor available.

What shifts do you generally tend to work?

Day or swing obviously as they have the most cases.

Are there 12 hour shifts available?
I get that different agencies will have different shifts and hours but just wanted to know if 12 hours shifts are available out there.

Yes, but not as common except for CVOR.

For specialties that you've never done are the nurses helpful in showing you the back table setup, and what you need for the case?

Under what circumstances have you ever had to scrub a new specialty without orientation? Won't happen.

iwanttobethebest · Mar 19, 2016

Thanks springchick for the info. Appreciate it

iwanttobethebest · Mar 19, 2016

Thanks Ned for the info. For some reason I was under the impression that I would both scrub and circulate which I don't mind.

I was asking about scrubbing a new specialty because my ADN/ charge nurse attempts to throw the current travelers into cases in which they claim they don't do (i.e. not on their agency checklist).

Anything else you think I should know about being a travel OR nurse?

NedRN · Mar 19, 2016

Follow the nurse practice acts and turn down assignments from charge nurses that you are not oriented to nor competent in the requirements. It is your duty to patients, and why piss off the surgeon? Frankly that charge nurse should be reported to her manager and possibly the BON.

iwanttobethebest · Mar 19, 2016

Thanks Ned. Appreciate it.

I'm currently staff but I've mentioned to said travelers to complain outside, because the OR I work in is full of ****. All complaints get swept under the rug, and if you're a certain race you get walked all over and abused basically.

I agree never piss the surgeons off, never a good thing. Thanks again for the info!

NedRN · Mar 19, 2016

Right or wrong, don't take those beliefs with you on the road, nor get involved in hospital politics as a traveler. As a staff member, you are a family member and (should) have a get-out-of-jail card that travelers cannot play. Travelers have to be uber-professional as you are not only the patient advocate (and that can be even harder in the OR environment than other clinical areas as you know), but your own representative to your professionalism. You are also representing your agency and their reputation. A single wrong word to a charge nurse, peer, or surgical staff can get you terminated immediately at some hospitals, no matter how good you are at getting along.

As you might imagine from reading my posts, in real life I fit more into the arrogant know-it-all surgeon profile than the compliant nurse. Needless to say, I bite my tongue all day long and constantly have to up my motivation to stay professional. Despite my best efforts, I'm sad to say that I have been terminated from travel assignments, different reason each time that would sound nuts if I put it in writing but since the common denominator is me, it is my fault.

Don't let this talk scare you, but the most important skill in any career is the ability to get along. Your skill set and work ethic could suck as long as you work well with others. Don't get sucked into any sort of politics. For example, if scrubs say nurses have it easy, don't argue. Don't offer your opinion on any other employee (unless there is a patient safety issue and then behind your manager's closed doors), nor answer questions about other workers or engage in gossip about personal affairs.

You can also be too professional. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Even if you know they are not following best practices. I know a fellow OR traveler who is terminated or self terminates frequently because she has mad crazy standards. I speak up occasionally and have effected real change in some of my assignments, but only after being there a while and building trust and letting them see what I can do. I sort of admire travelers who just go with the flow, and they are seldom termed. I have a hard time with just going with the flow as I like doing things the right way. I hate it when I'm in a two circulator or even two scrub situation because I like to do things my way - pretty common attitude of course, especially in the OR. I don't even like giving up control of patient prep or foley placement to surgeons because I know (most of the time) that I have better technique.

It is all a balancing act and you have to figure out where you are comfortable practicing.

iwanttobethebest · Mar 19, 2016

Yes the politics are too intense and I'm learning to just let things slide and ignore people. I just show up do my work and that is all. I've learned throughout my career just to bite my tongue, at times its hard but it pays off in the end.

Lol you seem like you have a strong personality which is a good thing at times.

I actually appreciate this talk as I know it will prepare me for what to expect when I start traveling.

I definitely understand about doing things the right way after all sterile technique is a must and you know better than I do about some of these residents, surgeons, techs and nurses. It's good to speak up especially since we are patient advocates.

I really appreciate the advice Ned thanks a lot!