NabiRN

The final is actually easier than the individual exams. The Laser module really scared me and I thought the final would be as difficult. I wouldn't even study for it.

I am writing a paper on labor relations and policy. Is anyone out there who work in states that do not require a RN circulator in the room for each procedure? If yes, what is your experience like? Thanks so much.

Well, it is not you. OR is a tough place for new nurses who do not have experience in the operating room. Many tough personalities in the operating room. I don't know why the operating room attracts these people. Perhaps others can put their 2 cents in. If you educator does not have your interest in place, you need to work on your next plan. Unfortunately, it's tough to get a nursing job for new nurses now. Get at least a year under your belt and then leave this place. Learn what you can especially the latest technology (i.e. robot) and then say good-bye. My hospital has 25 ORs and they are short of people sometimes. I remember getting assigned to a room or left in a room for various reasons after less than 2 months on the job. So your situation is not unusual. For a new nurse, it's probably better for you to start at a smaller facility where cases are less complex and the schedule does not change frequently. At larger facilites, the schedule changes all the time due to emergency surgeries and the norm is to expect the unexpected. You are in one room and next thing you are doing something else. On the other hand, you can learn a lot from larger hospitals and you will be more marketable in the future.

Had a very good discussion on the AST.org board. Where I used to work, I scrubbed a lot of eye cases. The turnover time is about 5 minutes. The cleaning crew does not come to clean the room. The surgical team pretty much takes care of the trash and opens the next case. It's crazy. That's why many people do not like eye cases. Also mistakes can be made with meds when everyone is rushing. I never circulated any eye cases and I would hate to have the meds mixed up with the quick turnaround.

If I go to ER or Med/Surg, I would feel the same way. We have many nurses from other areas and they are doing just fine. As long as you are a team player and willing to learn and work hard, you will be just fine. The personalites are tough but I am not sure if that's the same on the floor. Good luck. Remember you are not retarded no matter how they treat you.

Your scrub experience will be helpful. However, it seems like you went directly from scrub school to nursing school without actually working as a scrub tech. Some hospitals may expect more from you and will put into cases with the idea that you can scrub and circulate. Be honest in your interview. We had a nurse who has the same background as you and everyone is saying how he lied that he can scrub. In reality, he has only done so many cases as a student.

Great idea. You will have access to the AORN web site as well and read past AORN journal articles.

This message is a little bit late since you probably have already scrubbed the case. You can go to AST.org (Association of Surgical Technologists) and do a search on their web site for articles. AORN.org also has articles for members. Hope you had fun with the procedure. Great anatomy in those cases. Just make sure you have those lumbar sutures and the big cherry clamp ready.

You will find lots of info here: https://allnurses.com/operating-room-nursing/ Good luck.

I just finished 11 months of orientation at a Level II trauma center with 25 OR's. I run my own room now and I can't believe how much I have learned. Here's my advice: 1. Don't argue whether you are right or wrong (unless the patient is in immediate danger ... you are the patient's advocate) ... remember in the back of your mind that you will run your own room when you are on your own. You will have the opportunity to develop your own practice. 2. Team work is very important ... can't stress how important it is to get along with others. 3. When someone offers to help you, don't be shy to accept help. Don't let your pride get in the way. The problem is that many newbies don't know what they don't know. 4. Always listen to others' suggestion whether it is coming from a MD or CST or support tech. Sometimes they can be wrong. Important to figure out for yourself what is right or wrong. Use the AORN recommended practice as your guide. 5. Finally, OR is not everyone. I am not trying to discourage you. I have seen many who have come and gone. If the OR is not right for you, don't be afraid to find other opportunities. That's what so great about nursing. You do have options. Congrats on your new journey!

Smith and Nephew has lot #'s on plates but not the screws. I like the idea of keeping track of lot number from autoclave (I don't think we do that now).

I can understand that this is scary for your family. The most important person in your team is the surgeon. As others said, you need to to do some research to find a surgeon with lots of experience since not too many centers do whipples frequently. Our facility does have a world reknown hepatobiliary team and whipples are done very often here. Outcome often depends on the patient's underlying condition and location of the tumor. I am glad to read that your wife's tumor is benign. Best wishes to your family.

Originally Posted by WitchyRN I don't look down on techs, I used to be one. I just ask for the same courtesy from the techs I work with...one of them that I work with closely is always putting the circulator's role down...it's "easy" according to her. I try not to let it get to me because I believe that the only way you can get how stressful circulating can be is to do it. I love scrubbing...I look at it as a break! Well said. When I was a CST, I used to think circulating is easy. Now as a circulator, I have to do 6 things at the same time and answer to 6 people including nurses from the floor. When I am scrubbing, I just pay attention to the sterile field, the scrub team and circulator. Now I am responsible for documenting everything going on in the room in addition to charging for everything being used in the procedure. Yes, scrubbing is a break. Many techs in the OR are very bossy. I do wonder if I was like them when I was a CST.

I am at the end of my OR orientation and have worked with many different preceptors. I was a preceptor when I was a certified surgical technologist (CST). I find that many RNs who were CSTs are a lot more difficult to work with because they often have to prove themselves among nurses. Although they are tough to work with, they are often the best people to teach you what you need to know. You will learn nursing skills from fellow nurses but operating room skills often come from those who can scrub the cases. I try to focus on the big picture and where I want to be at the end of my orientation. My goal is to learn from the best and not from the ones who hold my hand. After all, when I am on my own and I am most of the time now, no one is there to hold my hand.

Caritas is a network of hospitals and each hospital offers a different pay scale. St. Eliz in Brighton offers $27.75/hr as starting pay plus differentials. Norwood is also a Caritas hospital and the starting pay is below $25. That was a year ago and things might have changed.

Dreamed of getting called in while I was on call ... Then I woke up and realized that I was in bed ..OMG -- I miss the call. Checked my beeper and there were no messages, check my phone and there were no messages ... went back to bed and hoping that it was a dream and I actually didn't get called in.

When I interviewed for my current job, my manager said she is considering putting a contract in writing since she lost many peri-op 101 trainees in less than 2 years. She told me it costs her about $200,000 to train someone for OR nursing. She also said the trend is to have a contract. She did ask for a two year commitment but I did not have to sign a written contract.

I scrubbed for 4 years as a CST before becoming a nurse. In many ways, the surgical technologist focuses on the technology. Even though everyone advocates for the patient, the circulating nurse's primary role is to be the patient advocate. I do appreciate having someone whose primary role is to ensure we have the equipment and instrument for the case and knowing how to use them, put them together, and take them apart. If I can help the scrub out, I would. However, I don't expect the scrub to do nursing functions unless the scrub is also a nurse.

Love your post. I am in the 7th month of my orientation .... everyday ... I ask why these people so strange .. nice one hour and totally crazy the next. I have worked in the OR as a CST and still have trouble dealing with some of these personalities. Can't wait to become numb as you said because OR can be a lot of fun.

I am also going through orientation. Some preceptors can explain better than others. In addition, in some cases, there's really no time to explain things thoroughly because there are so many things to do. I try to absorb as much as I can and then try to memorize my own questions until after the case is done. For example, regarding passing an instrument, ask your preceptor to practice with you when things are slow. Although we should not expect doctors to teach us, many of them love to teach. As long as you are interested in improving yourself in the OR, they really don't have problems teaching you.

I heard the salary at MGH is not so great when compared to other Boston hospitals. Don't forget to factor in parking, transportation, and other logistics. However, you go to MGH for the experience. Good luck.

Level II trauma. Yes, we have people working around the clock.

"I know that the OR doesn't offer alot of opportunities for therapeutic communication and teaching which I know I am good at, but it does offer a lot of learning interesting new things. " Your quote here caught my attention. In the OR, many patients are nervous about surgery and need therapeutic communication. Unfortunately, very little time to do what you want to do. You will find your skills in this area more useful in the NICU especially with the parents. In the OR , you need to have a balance of atheletic skills and critical thinking skills. If I was a hiring manager, I would not be interested in someone's HESI score. Instead, I would ask about teamwork and sports that they play. If you know what your team is doing, you can anticipate every move. I find the best OR nurses are those who are teamplayers.

OR can be a harsh environment. You do need thick skin to survive but it does not mean you have to be harsh to others. Unfortunately, many people in the OR have become that way. You should try to get at least 6 -9 months in before quitting or making a decision. At least you can put the experience on your resume if you every decide to go back. How many ORs are in your hospital? What type of procedures do you usually do? Since you started in Sept, you only have less than 3 months of experience. I would think taking call is on the unsafe side ... unless they are doubling you up with some experienced people.

There are sterile covers for lap screens and hybrid cases. Of course, they are not used all the time. I am not sure what's the cost of the covers. You proabably can do a search. If you think about it, anything above the chest is not sterile and surgical staff are always looking into the wound with headlights that are not covered and etc.