cwinlv

We have two teams in main OR and one team in Trauma (we're a Level 1 trauma center). One of our main OR teams acts as trauma backup should multiple level 1's come in. We also have first and second call for general surgery should all teams be tied up, and an open heart team.

Another pet peeve of mine... I've stocked my room and grabbed all of the supplies I need for my entire line-up... then one of my cases finishes late, delaying all the TF's. To "help me out," the charge decides to open my next case in another room. I like to open my own cases and get my own equipment so I know what I have in the room. The new room is usually NOT stocked so I end up running for things I shouldn't have to run for (mastisol, 4x4's, rays, etc.). Opening a new room usually doesn't save much in turn-around time, so just leave me where I am!!

I signed a two year contract which stipulated a $4000 payback clause should I leave prior to contract end. However, the contract was at the hospital level, not the departmental level, meaning I am comitted to working for the hospital for two years, not the department.

How about the charge nurse who forgets to assign lunch relief for you and your tech?? This happens all too often ....

I realize this answer comes to you 1 year after you posted it, but I was hired after completing the perioperative practicum (it took over 6 months to get hired, tho). The job consists of a 40 hour work week rather than 3 twelve hour shifts (I miss that... I LOVED my 12 hour shifts). The orientation process is 6-9 months, depending on your competency. I completed mine in 6 months but was put on my own with general cases (lap appys, hysterectomies, burns, etc.) after 5 months.

I had to chuckle at your comment.... thanks :) I'm a "new grad" (graduated last May and worked as a gyn-onc floor nurse for 8 months) who was just recently hired in the OR. I'm 48 years old. Am I too old? Of course not! Am I as physically fit as I was in my 20's? Of course not! Can I withstand the rigors of OR nursing? Of course I can! I'm used to working 3 or 4 12-hr shifts in a row... so I think I can do 5 8-hour shifts. As for longevity, I hope to remain in the OR until I retire!

I re-read this post months later and wanted to say thank you to everyone who responded! I am starting my first RN position tomorrow (I was previously a NAP) and I want to remember what being a professional is all about. While I may develop my own ways of coping, I pray that I will always treat my patients with dignity, respect, and compassion. I vow NEVER to publicly disrespect or humiliate a patient as was done in the example posted. That's not just psychosocial "babble" but respect for human dignity. Again, thanks to all. Christy

And if I couldn't work at NIH or CDC, my next wish would be to work as a travel nurse in Europe. That's something I may one day be able to accomplish!

I also notice nurses label many, many patients as drug seekers when I don't agree with their assessment. Why do so many nurses feel that if a person asks for pain meds, they are a drug seeker?

In answer to some of the questions... yes, my daughter would rather I take care of her than home health. And yes, home health will still be out to draw labs twice weekly. And finally, my daughter's husband will help her hang the last dose each day because I'll be at work.

My daughter, a 25 yr type I diabetic who is in CHF, recently had her Pacemaker/ICD moved to a new location. She has since developed an infection in the site and now has a PICC. She has been discharged to home after 4 days in the hospital and will be on IV Vanco TID for 6 weeks. My dilemma: I want to make sure her PICC dressing changes are done correctly and that her vanco is hung correctly. I prefer to avoid the use of a home health nurse because I am capable of taking care of her myself. Is it ethical to treat my own daughter? Any input would be appreciated!

The patient, a 23 yr old type-1 diabetic for more than 20 yrs, received an inadvertently high dose of insulin when the night shift nurse "primed" the insulin pump while the catheter was in place (he later said he was not familiar with a pump... no kidding!). The patient experienced a hypoglycemic seizure three hours later. The accucheck received an error message and was unable to read the glucose level. A serum sample tubed off to the lab was later reported as "less than 5." This incident happened to my daughter while she was in the hospital recovering from a cardiac arrest and emergency thoracotomy during the birth of my granddaughter.

Sunrise is an HCA facility and is the largest hospital in the state of Nevada. Sunrise has Nevada's only children's hospital and only Gamma Knife. It is a certified stroke center, has a nationally recognized neurosciences institute, and was recently voted one of two best hospitals in the city. The hospital is an "inner city" hospital, meaning it accepts all types of payment, including Medicaid, so the acuity level is high. Staffing ratio is quite high but nurses work on a team approach.. 12 pts to 1 RN, with one LPN and one CNA reporting to that same RN. Everyone I work with is quite happy at Sunrise and I've not heard many bad things about the place. I've been there for about 6 months and love my job (I'm a nurse apprentice). Hope you find what you're looking for!

Your "unsanitary" remark automatically assumes these people have just left work. Perhaps they are on the way to work! I, personally, head straight home and change immediately. After taking care of people with C-Diff, MRSA, and many other nosocomials, I refuse to walk inside my house with my shoes on! One trait of a good nurse is that she never "assumes" something. Use your critical thinking skills and don't "assume" these people have just left work.

If you could choose any medical institution in the world to work, where would you choose and why? (Your dream job... not necessarily realistic) My answer: I would love to work at a cutting-edge research facility, perhaps NIH or CDC, when a cure for diabetes is found! Why? My daughter has had Type I diabetes all of her life (she's now 25) and I can't wait to see her cured!