SlowlySteadilySurely

Oh boy, I lasted 7 weeks at this place. I learned so much about myself during this short span! I know now I am a pretty fast learner and great note-taker, but I never knew how much I'd allow myself to be stressed to the point of a near panic attack. I gave my resignation after seeing an unhealthy trend in my routine I'd rather not discuss, nonetheless, there are moments I'm left feeling like I'm a quitter. Often times, I hear of nurses struggling with their new job but they keep at it, and eventually succeed. I'm a bit disappointed in myself for quitting...I'm not sure if I should even rationalize it? I know I have a good work ethic but when everyone around me was pointing out my sudden weight loss and moodiness, I just felt I had to quit and just did it. The staff at the center did what they could to help me. Although I am a LVN and just finished my RN, I wasn't comfortable with how they required the LVNs to push IV meds. I feel all I needed was a little orientation and a small amount of training, and I would have been fine. There were just too, too many days I was left alone trying to figure things out for myself all the while making sure my patients didn't catch on that I was brand new. It just became unsafe at that point. The surgical techs were very helpful...almost more so than the nurses. A few of the anesthesiologists and surgeons were awesome! They were so supportive of my growth and learning; however, there were just a select few whom I dreaded circulating for. I tried not to take it personal, and I really don't, but I found myself going home with very negative energy and doubting myself. At the end of this experience, I'm so grateful I had the chance to practice starting IVs (which I feel so much more confident in) and I learned that I absolutely love talking to my patients and educating them. I know this will not be the last time I'll find myself in a OR. I'll work toward that BSN and aim to get into a new grad OR program. Thank you everyone for your response and input!

I hope everything went well for you during the dept transition!

Thank you both for replying and for your input. The first few days almost broke me. I definitely thought about quitting but I really want to give it a little more time...after all, the nurses there before me have succeeded, I want to give myself a chance. Going home and looking things up online and organizing my notes have really helped me. The surgical techs are great with helping me as a circulator as well. The surgeons def are very particular! I thought I was the biggest OCD person to exist but I've been proven wrong. Thanks again! I hope this works out for me and that I can apply the experience elsewhere in the future.

Hi everyone! I am a new grad RN interim; I just secured a job at an outpatient multispecialty (mainly aesthetics) surgical center. I start tmrw and was informed prior to accepting the position that training resources are limited. Therefore, I will sort of be "thrown in" but someone will be with me to help if needed. I will be encompassing pre, peri, and post! I am very excited and nervous. Although I know there won't be any formal training, I know I have the right attitude going in and I want to learn as much as I can...can anyone provide any tips for me? Consents are important, assessment, IV technique, but are there any other vital things I need to know? Additionally, has anyone heard of a nurse going from outpatient surgery experience to in-hospital OR? That is where I really want to be, but I haven't had luck so I accepted the only thing offered to me as I only have my ADN and I feel as though it's been competitive fighting for these OR positions in LA/OC. Apologies for my rambling...I just hope I don't upset anyone I work with nor harm my patients! I also know myself and how I ask a ton of (relevant) questions but is there ever a point that experienced nurses become annoyed of so many questions? Thank you in advance. Yours Truly, Appreciative, Nervous, Excited New Grad :)