pinoyrn

I had the same experience as you when I trained to become an OR nurse. After ten years of OR nursing, I can honestly say that, sadly, it is par for the course. At times, I felt like these dinosaurs who trained me ate babies for breakfast. Some of them were horrible. But, there were times when I was in a bind, they jumped right in and saved my behind. I may not like their personalities but they are excellent nurses in their own right and we all share the same mission and goals in our facility. I wouldn't hang out with some of them in a social setting, but I know that they have my back and I have theirs. I enjoy my job and am very satisfied. A recent survey of our unit showed that we all very satisfied with our job. There is plenty of bickering and drama but at the same time we also have lots of potluck.

I think that the reason why nurses feel a sense of camaraderie and kinship is because we ALL, as nurses, went through the hardship of "nursing fundamentals" which to me is like BOOT CAMP. As an RN, you have to be able to do the duties of a CNA and an LVN. Otherwise, how can you be their supervisor?

I have heard of two incidences similar to yours. The nurses involved did the antiretroviral drugs ASAP and was followed for months by employee health. Fortunately, they didn't seroconvert. It is a reality in our profession, unfortunately.

It is my understanding from the criteria in evaluating surgical wound classification that all eye surgical procedures are considered Clean. Another nurse told me that Entropion and Ectropion repair procedures are clean/contaminated. I disagree. I posed the question to ASORN (American Society of Ophthalmic nurses) but have yet to receive a reply. Any thoughts on this? Thanks for any feedback.

I was working as an LVN, when I noticed an in-hospital training for RNs and LVNs to work as Perioperative Nurses. I jumped on the opportunity and was selected as one of 4 nurses (3 RNs and 1 (me) LVN) trained to become OR nurses. We all trained for 3 months in the OR. Mornings were classroom instruction and afternoons were in the OR rooms. After the training, I basically worked as a scrub nurse, but was also became one of the nurses in charge of Neurosurgery. I scrubbed mostly Neurosurgery procedures and ended up training other nurses (RNs). I was in charge of the service when the RN i worked with went on vacation. This went on for four years, until I left to pursue my RN degree. So, yes, you can work in the OR as an LVN/LPN. If you have the time and resources, go for an RN degree. Once I was an LVN, I found a school that had a program called LPN to RN Bridge Program and got my RN degree in two semesters. It was a very intensive program but all of us in the program passed!

that is true in my experience as well. In order to get admitted to the nursing program, I have to have passed a college calculus class, get 100% in a math test, pass with 90% or higher a drug calculation test of 10 questions each semester. Surprisingly, all of us in my class passed. Drug calculation was covered briefly in class and we were on our own. The teachers insisted that we go to the math lab, get a tutor or form study groups. I totally agree that you either know it or you don't and to become a nurse, you need to know how to accurately calculate drug dosages.

as little as possible. if asked to stay and finish my case, then I stay, but only if I like the surgeons. I usually stay and finish neurosurgery cases.

I saw the movie. I thought it was hilarious. I was entertained, well worth the matinee ticket. I'm a nurse and I wasn't offended. Anyone who can use a good laugh should see it.

it took me three weeks to get my ATT, 4 weeks for the earliest appointment to test and two days to find out I passed.