I have finally landed my dream job in the OR (on the heart team) as a circulating nurse and I am so overwhelmed by all the new instruments, sterile fields, computer/paperwork, etc. I just started last week, and now I am questioning to myself if this is even for me anymore. I have been a nurse for about three years now, but this is my first OR job. It is also challenging because I come from doing three 12 hour shifts a week to five 8 hour shifts. I've been told it takes about a year to even begin to feel comfortable with everything.
Did anyone else struggle like this?
Any helpful tips on making it through the first few weeks/months? Thanks!
I feel ya. Recently I have had a dito experience as you describe. Only difference was that I was experienced OR nurse from a different country. The terms are different, slang is different, prepping, drapping inserting foley, circulating is all different. so even though I knew the principles of asepsis and sterility, I had to forget what I knew and learn the new ways as per hospital. I stuck around but was not happy at all. I knew from experience that it will get better and when it all started to click, I got fired and was giving excuses that in my opinion were to do with misinterpretation of expression. I am glad you found a new job, but sometimes the teams can make you or break you and being new makes you vulnerable. good luck for the future
fusionfire32
149 Posts
Hey girl,
I feel ya. Recently I have had a dito experience as you describe. Only difference was that I was experienced OR nurse from a different country. The terms are different, slang is different, prepping, drapping inserting foley, circulating is all different. so even though I knew the principles of asepsis and sterility, I had to forget what I knew and learn the new ways as per hospital. I stuck around but was not happy at all. I knew from experience that it will get better and when it all started to click, I got fired and was giving excuses that in my opinion were to do with misinterpretation of expression. I am glad you found a new job, but sometimes the teams can make you or break you and being new makes you vulnerable. good luck for the future