Nursegal2020

I work in Central Oregon! God I love anesthesia. Glad to hear you enjoy it! I love circulating at my outpatient ortho center, just the money isn't there..

Hi there! I have been an outpatient operating room circulator for 4 years now, mostly in orthopedics. I enjoy the outpatient life, however, the higher pay and benefits of working at a hospital are very appealing to me. The only thing that I am hesitant about switching from outpatient to the hospital is dealing with sick patients in critical care situations. I worked in the ER during Covid and that basically scarred me forever LOL. I went from the ER to outpatient life after a year of working in the ER in 2020. I feel like I have my circulator skills down, at least in the orthopedic setting. However, because I am outpatient, our patients tend to be healthy, and there are very minimal emergency situations. Anyways, I'm wondering what the environment is like working in the hospital OR as a circulator. The hospital I'm interested in is not a trauma center and does very minimal pediatric procedures. How is the hospital OR stress when it comes to emergencies? Is anesthesia always there to help? I am worried about being alone and ill-equipped in those situations. I do have experience in code situations etc and tend to handle those well, but I get VERY anxious if that is a constant in the environment I am working in. signed, an anxious nurse.

Hi there! I am starting a new position in Cath Lab next week and I’m NERVOUS. Here’s why: I worked 2 years med surg then 1 year ED (technically 9 months because I broke my wrist.... anyways). ED was definitely “fun” but once I was on my own after training I would get so nervous and worked up prior to shifts because you never knew who/what was gonna roll in.. and worse.. if it would be my patient LOL. The again, I started at the PEAK of COVID so we had soooo many sicky patients right when I was off orientation. Stressful. Anyways, I wanted something a little less stressful overall but still stimulating. Am I making the right choice? Is Cath Lab decently less stressful than ED? I’m worried I shouldve gone to outpatient surgery but then I feel like I’m selling myself short! Not that OSC is a short sale I’m just a nervous Nellie BUT I DO work well under pressure. I did well in ED, I was just anxious about it alll the time. any advice would be great ❤️

@Peachpit thank you so much for the reply. You really eased my mind and opened my mind as well to m-f. So many 12 hour shift opportunities, why bot be open to 8s. Thank you so much!

@ILoveGI thank you for the reply! Sounds like your facility gives nurses a great amount of independence, that is awesome. I find GI interesting as well. Hoping things workout and I can get out of the ED soon!!

@kitten0509 Advanced endo sounds awesome! Good luck to you!!

Hey Ryan I’m thinking about making the same move, ER to GI. How are you liking it? Are you still there? I know this post was from awhile ago ?

Hello! Quick background, I have 2 years med surg experience and decided to switch to ER January 2020 just in time for Covid to start LOL. I liked ER at first but now it gives me full on anxiety. I cry before almost every shift and wish someone would rear end me on my way to work so I wouldn’t have to show up for the shift (sad, I know). I’m a firm believer in quality of life and work life balance and I’m not getting that with working nights during Covid in ER. So I applied for a GI Lab job! I have an interview on Friday, it’s within a hospital and M-F. I’m nervous that if I take this job it will limit me as a nurse. However, I really don’t see myself going back to the ER or to ICU ever. I’m caught between having a better worklife balance and quality of life, and stressing that I may be “selling myself short” since I’m only 26 (nurses and their egos am I right???) what are peoples experience with GI?? Fun enough to keep you interested and feel challenged while reaping the benefits of the schedule and less stress?? I think I’ll also miss working only three days a week!! How is it working M-F?? thank you all I appreciate any advice and guidance!! <3