wartthree

I work in OR and have for the past 6 years as an RN, 11 years before that as a tech. Did 1 yr on m/s floor right out of nursing school then went back to OR b/c was missing the adrenaline. I work at a level 2 trauma center on nights M,T,W. I have been doing that shift for the last year. I am just feeling restless. I am thinking of changing to ER. My daughter is almost 16 and my hubby and I would like to do some travel nursing after she graduates. Am afraid that if I do a career change I wouldn't feel comforatable to travel nurse to an ER with only couple years experience. I would totally feel comfortable going back to an OR after being gone for 2 years but not sure if employers would hire me without currently working in an OR, does that make sense?? lol. Honestly a little afraid I have already pigeon holed myself too much to the OR that I couldn't make a change. I am well liked by the staff in ER. It would be nights still, I don't know if it would be a predictable schedule or not. After working nights for a year now I finally feel like I am getting into a routine with sleep and all, but I hate wasting a day off sleeping and often don't sleep for my day off. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank You.

When you tie her up, if your gowns has velcro near the neck, take a lil bit of her hair net and stick it to the velcro. I had a tech that was always making me run for stuff than giggle about it. Her hat got stuck to her velcro and when that happens you can't move your head very well, so she asked me to fix it for her..."oh so you need me to do something for you huh, you gonna keep being a twerp?" And now it's a joke between us and I tell her that if she doesnt settle down I'm gonna stick her hat to her velcro. Unfortunately as many others have said the OR is a very difficult place to work and also to get into the group. But once you do, it all is ok. The doc just has to feel like he is God, just play his game, study up on the cases you'll be doing with him, and maybe even ask him questions, even if you know the answers. It makes them feel good. You may find 9 months down the road when you've settled in that tech may tell you she never had a problem with you and thought very highly of you. I would however address that behavior of hazing to your manager or an educator (not preceptor). It is something many managers are aware of and most facilities are trying to tackle, but it is a huge problem. Good Luck, it's a great career if you've got the skin for it.

How much are you opening? I worked at one hospital that had their packs made so all they opened were gloves and suture. Everything else was in the pack. I know it costs quite a bit to do pack conversions, but may shave a few minutes off. Plus that hospital even took it a step further and had 'trained' the surgeons to all use the same type of suture..saving time and not keeping suture on hand that was seldom used.

We use to, then Joint came thru and put a stop to it. All meds are to be supervised as I understand it. So now only our 0730 cases are not pulled because we dont have anyone in central core overnights. But then when she gets there at 0600 she pulls meds for the rest of the day and puts them in the case carts for us. Because she is in CC with the carts I guess they see that as they are being monitored.

12. "Suck beans until they get hard." (I think this surgeon just likes to say this. He could just say that he is ready for the bean bag to be suctioned.) OMG...Cant wait to tell my docs this!!!! Who else finds themselves giggling at our desks sometimes?? I DO!!!!

Yes, I know it will only take YOU 20 minutes to do the procedure, but we do have standards and those take us XXX minutes so we are ready to provide good, safe surgery for your patient.

I always tell any students, gaurds or anyone else that if they feel faint or wierd at anytime..just sit down!! Its much less embarrasing then having to be picked up from the floor. At some point in time we have all been there, and we all keep a watchful eye on observers.

If its a free tie: Hold the tie with both hands, keeping the tie taut at all times, then allowing the surgeon to grab it in the middle. If surgeon just holds out thier hand you place it in thier hand firmly so they can feel it, and they usually grasp it and take it. If its a tie on a passer (a tie connected to an instrument..usually a right angle): Load the tie so it comes directly out the tip of the instrument, not down. Place it in surgeons hand like you would if it didnt have the tie in it. Hope this helps. Julie