NurseSnarky

Great info! I'm also going to print it out. Invaluable information for sure!

I'm not sure how other SC's do it, but where I work (OR/PACU at times), only a couple of DC nurses do Phase I recovery (hence why I am pulled from the back sometimes). Otherwise the Admitting and DC go back and forth.

I'm not a CRNA...I'll get that out there now. I've wanted to pursue a degree in the field for some time, so I do know about the politics involved. I've also went toe to toe with a MD over what a CRNA can do, has done (i.e. history), and their huge importance (was told that CRNA's are nothing without an Anesthesiologist). My desire to become a CRNA is not the money. I've never sat down and thought it was unfair that an MD gets paid more. MDs get their feathers ruffled that there are so many CRNAs in the profession with many more on the way...it's the old boys club. But CRNAs have been around forever...surgeons wanted nurses to give anesthesia as they would give their undivided attention to the patient during the procedure whereas a resident wanted to pay more attention to the case and doc (1800s). As many of us know, a doc does not have to be present or even in the building or even on staff (small rural hospitals) in order for CRNAs to provide anesthesia care. If something goes wrong, it's the surgeon or another doc that gives orders for any problems. It would be the same if something went wrong if a doc was giving anesthesia...the surgeon then ICU doc would take over care. It's hooey plain and simple that an Anesthesiologist is required in some places...and I'll leave it at that. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nurse_anesthetist The history of the CRNA is fascinating to me as I used to believe it was always a physician's job to deliver anesthesia until I delved into the history of it. http://www.anesthesiapatientsafety.com/na_glance/history.asp Good info here: http://www.aana.com/brieflookhistory.aspx And finally a review on a must read book: http://www.amazon.com/Watchful-Care-History-Americas-Anesthetists/dp/082640510X/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1323012985&sr=8-1-spell The book is available at the AANA website.

Sometimes the issue is being able to balance multiple patients with multiple issues. ICU gives you 1-2 patients with multiple issues. The ER? That's multiple pts, multiple problems in a short period of time. That's tough. I don't know...some posts are suggesting that "maybe" she's truly isn't cut out for nursing?? Those that weren't in my program didn't pass...even up to the very last day of the last semester. And then there's NCLEX. So she's working, she's passed school with flying colors, obviously passed NCLEX...she just hasn't found the type of nursing that fits her learning style. Book smart people learn differently. Well for that matter, people learn differently. She may need less patients in order to connect those dots.

I am glad you got the interview and you're going to shadow. Observe, take notes, ask questions when you can about the working environment, call requirements when you're off orientation, etc. Be friendly...make the OR nurses and scrub techs LOVE you as they will be the ones reporting your shadowing experience back to the director. I can completely relate to your OP and other posters. We were not prepared well in school and I brought this up over and over during school and during the exit interview. I also participated in a survey conducted by a major university researching the subject at the time. I was NOT popular with the program chair, but let's be honest. I went to a very good school, but the training was archaic (to borrow the term)! There was more emphasis on proper bed baths and back rubs, making the beds perfectly than on why is the BP high or low, what do we do...how do we prioritize SIX patients not only TWO? The most patients I was responsible for in clinicals was four patients...FOUR and all of them were being discharged AND it was the last clinical day. Up to that point? Everyone had 1-2. Usually one with heavy cares and meds and the other ready to go home (i.e. learn discharge teaching). I wanted to learn total care for the patient yes...but we basically were taught the CNA's position and not how to delegate those cares and focus on patient care on a real floor. My final preceptorship was a nightmare when it came to the end. I spent most of the time running after the best nurse on the floor talking 100 miles an hour and moving just as fast. I was lost and worked hard at home to be prepared for each day better than I was the day before. I was told "you're doing great" only to get to the final sit down with the clinical instructor and my preceptor and told I was not doing as well as I was led to believe. No I was not up to the preceptor's reality (she'd been a nurse for 20yrs and told me ALL of the time..."you'll get it, but realize I've been doing this for 20yrs!". Only to be thrown under the bus during the evaluation/end of preceptorship. I graduated with honors, but felt so ill prepared to hit the floor running. I was quickly hired and it just didn't click right away. I did not get fired, but felt floor nursing in any form was not for me (except for ICU). I came to PACU after almost a year in tele. I loved PACU (still do) and got my foot in the door in OR because of recovery. I just love the OR. It's just a different breed. Sorry for rambling on. But basically the OR sounds like it might be right for you. However....HOWEVER....it's not like ANYTHING you've ever done in Nursing School. You can observe for a day and it's awesome (for most), but doing it? It's a LOT of organization, it's knowing what you need to be doing and what you physically need for a case AND what each doctor prefers. KNOW this, understand this. If you've got the money to spend, buy Alexander's (doesn't have to be new) and read what you can to get the idea. Yes, you'll be orienting for 6mos and you'll have people to help you, but a program wants to know that you get it (the entire OR experience). There will days, oh there will be days that you will just scream WHY?! But when you're rolling out of bed at 4am rip roaring ready to go, you'll know it's for you. Even though you'll have six months to learn, you're still going to need to learn the basics quickly. So as many others here have suggested, get a pocket sized notebook and take LOTS of notes. Look things up at home, I still will watch videos of surgeries to see what something is for example. When you feel like quitting, push through it. It's hard to get into the OR...it's near impossible if you leave before a year is up. Also...OR nurses are OCD and a bit ADD/ADHD...if you feel that's you, go for it! But be relaxed and organized. Docs and others in the OR like calm, cool, collected even if you're falling apart inside. Move quickly and grab everything you need to limit your trips. Better yet, have everything in your room to begin with, but we all know that's not always going to happen. Always have a plan-B!!! And DO NOT CALL IN SICK during your first 90 days and better if you can go the six months. Haul your sick behind into work and get sent home. I know that's not always popular with everyone, but it's the reality of it. Kids, family...have a plan-B again...don't call in. Good Luck!!!

You have to be highly organized and able to multitask in this role. Skills you need to work in a hospital. You would have a leg up as far as a non-nurse receptionist in that if an important piece of info comes in you will know to get that to one of the other medical personnel in the office asap. You're a new grad....have you passed boards yet? It's a good position if you are waiting to takes boards and maybe they'll hire you in the back after you've passed(?). Some offices like a nurse who can do all of the roles of the office in case someone calls in sick, vacation, or the place gets very busy (which Mondays & Fridays can get crazy and having an extra person up front who knows what he/she is doing is GREAT).

Oh boy! I had one too. My instructor seemed to be "okay" but a little distant with me. I was not her favorite. She showed me my written review one day and it was excellent across the board (maybe midway through clinicals)...the very next week I had a BAD clinical day and it was due to crummy organizational skills. I was struggling a bit up to that point with organization (I didn't really "get it"), but that day was pretty rough. Clinical instructor blew a gasket right there and then. She was former military and she'd had enough apparently. She dressed me down, said I'd NEVER make it as a nurse and I went home in tears. Next clinical day she shows me the review with EVERYTHING scratched out that was positive and she had written everything I'd done wrong on that single day. She didn't get out a new sheet or put in the date in question with feedback...just scratched out the positive. WHOA!!! So now I had a second day of tears on the way home. So I made a "brain" to use in order to improve my organizational skills...used it for the rest of nursing school and when I started working. I was asked by instructors and managers and coworkers for copies of it. It would make any military proud...lol! Anyway I presented the "brain sheet" to her and implemented it and she was so happy and impressed (with IT...still didn't warm up to me). Made rest of clinicals with her smoooooth! BUT she never tore up the scratched out review. Just added I made the brain, used it, and improved greatly by the end of clinicals. My lesson was to find out why and try to fix it. There are some that will just have it out for you (because there were other students that were less organized than me the entire time and didn't get it or fix it and she singled me out to rip me a new one...but I will always thank her for it and I still do!). And I agree...prove 'em WRONG!!! I was struggling and then I was overkill organized...lol! Eh I guess you can never be TOO organized.

I've worked both. Cath Lab is a different pace than PACU. The patient is awake, groggy instead of out. So it's like recovering a heavy MAC. You do groin checks, pt has to remain flat so you will be giving pain meds. Pulling lines/sheaths can be unnerving until you get the hang of it because you do have to hold pressure for awhile...used to be 20min, but it depends on what doc uses. I would go for it. Whenever I see "no call"...I'm on it!

I second the University of Iowa. I've worked with SEVERAL students in their final rotation of clinicals over the past several months and they really know their stuff. Anesthesia has even hired one and he hit the ground running. It's just and excellent program and turn out top quality CRNAs.

I worked in a hospital that was "color coded" as well and I strongly believe it's a great thing to do. Nurses wore white, navy, or a combo of the two...and on special holidays we could wear prints or printed jackets. Techs would wear burgundy, unit secretaries wore scrub pants and polos. Housekeeping also wore scrubs and polos if I remember right...in yellow I want to say. There was no confusion by the docs as was stated above. They knew white or navy would be a nurse. Hard to see our name tags from a long distance or from behind. The patients also did not have any confusion. We introduced ourselves and the techs also introduced themselves. We were also not limited to a certain brand. It created a professional environment as well. Then I worked in an ICU where everyone had to wear burgundy scrubs supplied from the hospital and no other color was allowed. Patients would always ask the tech questions intended for the nurse. It was confusing and yes, the docs also got confused unless they had been there long enough to know who was who.

I can sprint pretty good down the OR hallway in them. I would never be without my Danskos either. My legs and feet don't ache at all. They are not for everyone, but 99% of the OR staff and docs wear them. When I worked on the floor and while I was in school I also tried Birks...my feet, legs, and back hurt so bad. Same with tennis. I own a lot of Danskos...oy!

gr8ape...holy cow! I would give my first born for ancillary staff! LOL! I do work ASC, and I "thought" I knew how it was going to be (i.e. in the interview, "you know how same day surgery works, right"...ummmm, sure! Not so much after all). Now I can set up a shoulder case and tear it down. I am one of two nurses who sets up the beach chair - not so complicated as much as it's a clumsy piece right? I've moved beds around here, there, and everywhere!! PITA! Clean up in OR5...start truckin' down the hall for the mop! No one's coming to help. I help or at times pull my own cases for the next day. That was WAAAY new to me! It can be crazy can't it? It's a good crazy though.

I have never looked down upon a MA, a CNA, or ST because they are not a Nurse. I don't think anyone has implied that MAs are idiots...I think the gripe is that some (not all) think a monkey can do an RN's job. And that SOME present themselves as Nurses when the title is earned by taking the required classes, earning a degree, and passing a very tough exam. Then and ONLY then can we call ourselves Nurses, but really you don't even FEEL like a Nurse until you've worked as a Nurse. So the title is revered and held in high esteem to many of us. If you want to be called "Nurse"...earn it the way the rest of us did. If you choose to be a MA, then be prepared to stand behind the title and career you chose to pursue. Be honest and be respectful.

cardiac/telemetry floor is my vote just because it gives you a great start for critical care if you choose to go that direction. When I worked tele, we had to take the critical care class and talk about gaining knowledge! And if you decide to work med/surg you're ahead of the game imho.

LOL! I just CRINGE when I hear that as I scan the half empty room! ARGH!! And there are some that just want ALL of the other's toys from the playground in the room. I know who they are and my coworkers will always get on me for bringing everything but the kitchen sink in for "just a ____"...uh, huh. BTDT. If it's present in the room, it seems that it's not wanted. Oy!