LittleLi

You are so kind, I truly appreciate you taking the time to respond and say such encouraging words. I know I’m in for a huge learning curve and long road of training, but I will try to keep my eyes set on my goal, which is to become a nurse like you! Thank you.

I am a new grad and got a position in the CVOR. I wanted to be in the OR my entire time in school, that is why I went to nursing school - I do not want to work bedside. My pre-RN work experience includes being a surgical assistant for an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. That was in an outpatient office and was great, but wanted to expand my perioperative experience. I have felt super lucky to have been offered this CVOR position, but I’m 2 weeks in and panicking. Every nurse I encounter is astonished I was even offered this job because it’s unheard of to be in the CVOR as a new grad. I definitely understand why. My orientation is slated to be 1 year long. I’m just extremely overwhelmed. I passed nursing school with extremely good grades and understand nursing concepts well, but in the OR you pretty much start fresh with your knowledge. I went from feeling overwhelmed in nursing school, to feeling overwhelmed studying for NCLEX, to feeling completely overwhelmed and incompetent in the OR. It feels like I know nothing and that’s so hard for me to get used to. I know it’s going to take time but I’m so overwhelmed I feel like I want to crawl in a hole. I guess I’m just asking for advice or success stories of new grads in the OR. Thanks in advance!