jdsmom

If you are willing to relocate, Banner Health in AZ runs periop programs at many hospitals, usually once or twice a year. It's about 5-6 months long. They are currently taking applications. I have been in the OR for 12 years and it has been a great career for me. I was trained at the facility where I still work. Good luck!

I have worked in a pediatric OR for 8 years now and really miss the interaction with patients and families. I deal with NICU babies and neonates on almost a daily basis and, as hard as it is to see a little baby fighting for their life, I love doing these cases. I have been thinking over the last year about transferring into the NICU. I realize it's a very different type of nursing than OR, but every time I'm in the NICU I feel like that is where I want to work. I have started talking with some of the NICU nurses to get a feel for what they like and don't like about their jobs. I have read through a lot of the threads and see a lot of great information here. One of my biggest concerns in my current position is just the lack of dealing with awake patients. Everything is rush rush rush, get them in, get them out. A lot of staff can be pretty callous about things, and that bothers me. Don't get me wrong, I give my patients the best care possible, but I definitely feel less compassionate and don't like the person I'm becoming here. Anyone have any thoughts on this?

I actually work as an RN in the operating room at a pediatric hospital. You are absolutely right to NOT sign it now or back date. Ultimately, the circulating nurse in the OR is responsible for ensuring the consent is signed and witnessed. Personally, if it was me in the OR with this patient, we could have intubated, stabilized the baby, and then got the parents on the phone to ensure they are on board with the broviac and then witness consent. The doctors would probably roll their eyes and say it's not necessary, but that's where I have learned I have to stand my ground. If they want to call it an emergency and document that in their op note (which is what is required at our hospital in order to perform a procedure without consent) then I'm good with that. Then it's on them. I have had to put my foot down sometimes about this, and they never like it, but my license is on the line. This situation sounds like a serious gray area that should be looked to ensure if it happens again that a proper process is followed so you can feel right about it. I think the Charge Nurse shows a horrible example by telling you to back date a consent. That's a serious violation of ethics.

Thank you for the feedback! I definitely like busy, and I think starting out in level 2 might give me time to learn without the stress of level 3 preemies and newborns. I appreciate you taking the time to respond :)

I have been a pediatric operating room nurse for 7 years and am feeling like I want to get out of the OR. In the population we serve I have seen infants and preemies all the way down to 22 weekers under 1 kg. Now, I know that OR nursing is very different from bedside nursing, so I would have a lot to learn, but I am thinking about transferring to a level 2 Nursery at a closer hospital. I am just tired of the rush, rush, rush of the OR and lack of interaction with patients and families. I did work in an adult unit for a year after nursing school, so I do have some sense of bedside nursing. Any thoughts, input, advice from anyone out there? Esp. if you were an OR nurse and left to do bedside? Thanks! Kristen

Unfortunately the OR can be a place where strong personalities can lead to problems like you have come across. I would not put much weight on this until you have a sit-down with the people involved. Most of the time these situations are not quite as bad as you feel they are and just require clarifying things. As someone who was new and now has experience and trains new people, I have seen a lot of different responses by staff. People who have worked in the OR for a long time have really had to earn their badges in many situations. It can be a very tough place to work and has a very steep learning curve. Give respect where it is due, but don't allow people to walk all over you. Respectfully and professionally confront the person you feel is the offender. Most of the time that will help. The fact that you made it through orientation is an accomplishment in itself so nice job! Be careful how you approach seasoned OR staff. Start by stating you respect their experience and appreciate feedback directly if they feel there are things you can improve of. Hope that helps! Keep your head up and keep striving to learn! The OR is an amazing place to work!

I currently work in a pediatric OR and have worked in adult OR as well. The anesthesiologist is the one who runs a code, or even a rapid response. Most times the anesthesiologist will notify the surgeon that something is not right and ask them to stop whatever they are doing and try to correct the situation. Our OR requires all RNs to be ACLS certified (because we are combined with the adult OR as well) and PALS certified for the pediatric side. Any hospital who does not train their RNs to be ACLS or PALS certified is asking for trouble and poor outcomes. I have been in a few codes and felt well-prepared to handle them. Every time the anesthesiologist is the lead and everyone directs their attention to them for instructions. Most of the time the surgeon and surgical team scrubbed in do what they can to keep the sterile field sterile and wait for instructions from the anesthesiologist. Sometimes that means getting prepared to close quickly so they can get the patient off the table, or possibly doing internal compressions depending on how serious the situation is. I have not worked in an environment with CRNAs, but I imagine that if things start looking concerning you would notify your anesthesiologist STAT and get them in there to help. A good anesthesiologist or CRNA is pretty in tune to how the patient is doing and is proactive when warning signs arise.