Picklednerd

I don't mind scouting on my own for some types of free flap recon - it depends on the addition of another surgeon, who for 2 hours is raising the flap, separately from the primary surgeon... Is it too much to ask for a scrub and a scout just for that two hours? There's just so much going on, & the guys I work with are bloody quick. I don't know. Maybe I need to 'harden up'!

Hi all - I really need your opinions/experience with a particular type of case. Here are the details: The procedure: Radical parotidectomy (or oral tumour), + neck dissection, tracheostomy, mandibulectomy, maxillectomy, temporal bone resection, sural nerve graft, facial sling, + abdominal (or fibula) free flap reconstruction. Etc etc! The burning question: if there are two surgeons operating concurrently, independently of each other (i.e one on the head & neck and one raising the flap) - how many nurses are required. The private hospital I work at is insisting that I be the only circulator for both surgical teams and count for both procedures. They've told me that a good scout nurse should be able to do this - by prioritizing. I feel that in this case I need two scrub nurse, and two scout nurses. I would really appreciate your insight and experience, as I am unhappy with what's being asked of me. I feel I am very organized and efficient, however doesn't seem safe, or fair. Any advice??

Hi all! Im so confused at the moment, any advice you can provide would be much appreciated... I graduate with a Bachelor of Nursing at the end of the year, and may have to choose between two hospitals, Hollywood Private Hospital, and Sir Charles Gairdner, in Perth... I am looking for a friendly, well-structured and supportive graduate theatre program. These two hospitals are very different, private vs public, big vs small(ish). I also am considering applying for the Post Graduate Diploma in Health (Perioperative Nursing) through the University of Notre Dame. One hospital is very supportive of me doing this next year, and the other recommends that I do their graduate program and then see... The course itself is accepting direct entry (no previous theatre experience required) for the first time next year, and is encouraging direct entry. What to do, what to do? Ive got no'one to discuss these career dilemmas with, and I would just appreciate any thoughts at all on my choices. Thanks so much for your time.

Hi folks, its meeee again - hehe If you had to choose between working as a nurse in Melbourne or Brisbane, which would it be and why???

Thanks for taking the time to reply, your 'inside information' is very helpful! Its getting close to application time, so fingers crossed... scarey!

Hello? Are OR nurses not that interested in further education? Would be nice to hear from an OR nurse with post graduate education, etc... & your thoughts on the above...

Hello people! I love this forum! What a godsend for us all. Im a 3rd year student, very interested in a career in the OR. One thing which makes me doubt my decision is that I feel like there mightn't a future academically - for instance, if I chose psychiatric nursing (my 2nd choice) I would be able to continue my education, with a view to becoming a nurse practitioner or something... (I hated med/surg & wont be going there ever). My question is, have any OR nurses out there gained their masters & in what? What about a PhD? Is there a financial or career-path benefit to gaining further education when you work in the OR? Id especially be interested in an Australian perspective, as thats where Im headed for my new grad year. Im still leaning towards OR nursing because I figure its easier to travel the world with OR experience than psychiatric nursing - and I plan to travel! I would really appreciate some insight. Thanks ppl.

Especially when you're easygoing and get on well with everyone else, I guess! Thanks for the advice, I totally agree with you on all points. I know some ppl who are real 'butt-lickers', but its just not in my nature to be that way. I expect ppl to treat me the way I treat them, basically... We're professionals. I do understand that some ppl would wait & see if they can rely on you when the pressures on in an environment like the OR, but I dont believe that someone should be blocked out or 'tested'. I really want to feel like part of a team, not beaten down by a hostile environment... Its one of my main worries about OR nursing actually, especially when the new-grad placements are for a whole year! But I guess i'll just gather what knowledge I can, and move on if its not a good environment.

:yeahthat: Since it seems like there are alot of ppl like that in the OR, how do you deal with someone like that? I tend to get quite uptight when people are rude to me & have to say something eventually... However, it would be nice to know just the right thing to say - without sounding sensitive or defensive etc. Id like to be assertive in the OR.

Hey thanks for the links, sorry I took so long! Exams and assignments and work, crikey! Do I have this right though - Year 1 in NSW starts out at $22.21 per hour / $44,033.50 per annum. In Queensland it looks like they actually pay (SLIGHTLY) more for a Year 1: $22.61184 per hour / $44,834 per annum. Hmmm, maybe I need to get to bed early tonight - i'm confused, as I thought that NSW paid the highest salary? Whilst pay is not the only variable guiding my decision of where to apply, can anyone clarify this for me? I still think PAH would be a great place to get some grounding in OT, though I do worry that I'll get landed in a hostile environment - which is the last thing I want for my new grad year! :chair: (I keep readin about nurses and surgeons who eat students for dinner in the OT!)

Sorry ppl, I was referring to this message by the way!

Im a student nurse planning on a career in OR, and I have to admit, I think I may be a type A But im a friendly type A! Ive heard about the 'strong personalities' and 'type As' alot in my research of the specialty... I wonder why OR staff often have type A personalities? Ill probably figure that out when I actually get in the environment, but what are your thoughts?

Wow Issey, thanks for the circulating tips!!! Ive decided to do my only elective placement (8 weeks) in OT, and all going well apply for a new grad position. So your advice is just what the doctor ordered Maybe you should think about writing a book for newbies?!

My partner & I thought Brisbane would be best, as he has family there & Hervey Bay. I never really considered Sydney, as from what Ive heard its VERY busy & VERY expensive... I just dont know if Id like it much. But I havent been there, so its hard really. Melbourne might be alright, Ive heard they have 1:4 staff-patient ratios, which would be great... Is the pay in Sydney worth living in a 'ratrace' (no offense, just what Ive heard!)? Is the pay increase quite substantial?

Hey, thanks for your advice, very useful & much appreciated! I will look into it. Great to hear there are NZ new grads around! My elective placement is at Rotorua Hospital, in theatre & two of my prior placements have been in peri-op and Medical North. I wanted to try theatre before I graduate so I know what direction im headed... Can you tell me, does NSW have the highest pay rate in Australia?