Omibashu

I graduated from nursing school in 2010 and worked in the OR for about 18 months, only in Neurosurgery. I left nursing in 2012 and worked in administration. I was just hired at a surgery center as an OR circulator. I was very upfront about my experience and how long I had been out of the clinical setting. They assured me I would have as much training as I needed. They do Urology, General, Ortho, GYN cases. I've only worked about 8 days, all incredibly hectic, with the only other OR nurse there (all the others are out due to COVID). The person "training" me just rushes through everything and I feel like I'm absorbing about 10% of the info. I feel like I'm being so rushed and thrown into things. Last week and today the person training me just said she was leaving when cases were still going on so I had to finish on my own. I don't know any of the cases, prep, position, charting system, nothing. Is this just the way it is in Surgery Centers? My training in 2010 was formal Peri-Op 101 in a major hospital and lasted 10 months. Not sure if I should just suck it up because this is normal or bail. Any advice from OR nurses in busy surgery centers like this?

Thank you again! I am going to hold onto you like my security blanket as I start this new journey. I am going through this specialty thread like you suggested and grabbing what looks helpful. I will also be printing out a list of common labs, meds, med-surg type stuff to brush up on this weekend. Youtube will be my best friend too! I want to be a good nurse who feels confident...that seems like an impossible task right now, but I don't want to give up this time. This might actually be a good time to be starting because with COVID 19 they census is low (72 instead of 92), no families, no admissions. This may be like a "training wheels" few weeks. Thank you again for taking the time to respond to my posts. I am so anxious and scared. It really helps to know that there is a kind and experienced voice out there. Stay safe and I might be DMing you at some point, if you don't mind. Best, Jennifer.

Thank you so much! I just got back from my 2 hours of "orientation"...if you can call it that. I look at patients with tube feedings, IV ABX, O2, etc and I freak out! It's been since clinicals 12 years ago that I had patients like that. I've been reassured a number of times by the DON that the LVNs that are Charge Nurses on each shift have all been there for years and know the patients. I will keep your words in my mind to reassure me. I'm an anxious person in general, and this is the first time that I will be in a supervisory role. The DON has promised me that next week I will have another RN working the shift with me that I will basically "shadow". I feel like if they keep that promise I'll be OK. As far as patient assessments, emergencies, meds, treatments...do you have any advice on what I should study this weekend? I don't start until Monday.

Thank you! I have orientation tomorrow and will bring up all of those issues. My job title is RN Supervisor and I think the pay is decent. I was told there would be 9-10 CNA AND 2 LVN. To be honest I’m terrified of being the senior (and only) nurse on the shift. I told them I’ve been out of clinical settling for a decade and they said they’d have another RN with me until I feel comfortable on my own. Fingers crossed. Thanks again for the response.

Not really. I just want to get back into nursing.

I’ve been out of clinical setting for 10 years. Before that I had two years in the operating room. I’m being offered a 3-11pm shift at a nursing home. I will be the only RN in the shift with about 72 patients. I’ve been reassured that I will have at least 1 week of training and RN in call 24 hours for help. I’ve also been told that the LVNs do all led passes. I would only be doing assessments, IV ABX and admissions. Am I crazy to do this?

I’ve been out of clinical practice for 10 years. I got a call yesterday from a company that runs 38 nursing homes near me. The have had 17 positives and 2 deaths. They are hiring like crazy because they are creating COVID isolation units in the facilities that have positives. Basically hired me over the phone for a supervisory RN job. Said I would not have much direct care, primarily supervising LVN and CNA. They did promise PPE. The pay rate is very good. I don’t have to work but feel like I should. I am healthy and my husband is healthy. Am I crazy to take the risk if I don’t have to?

If you’re willing, try nursing homes. I just got hired at a nursing home in a newly created COVID isolation unit. I’ve been out of clinical practice for 10 years! I got called on Thursday. Orienting in Friday. Starting ASAP. And the rate is insane.

I am a late in life nurse, getting my BSN at 40. I worked one year on a General Medical floor followed by a year and a half in the OR at a major hospital in Los Angeles. I left in 2012 to work in hospital administration and pursue other interests. I have been trying to get back into the clinical setting for a few years now but have not had any luck in the hospital setting due to having been out of practice for so long. I have just been offered a position in a LTC/Sub-Acute Hospital here in L.A. The facility is aware that I have been out of clinical practice for 7 years and are willing to retrain me. My question is what should I do to prepare myself as well as possible for the challenges I know I will face? Any suggestions/support appreciated.

Anyone? Need advice ASAP. This is the only psych hospital that will hire without psych experience, so I'm considering a job offer as an RN.

Anyone worked here before? Have an interview there for an RN position and was wondering what the culture/managment/co-worker situation is like? Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

Orca - Thank you again!

Orca, Got the PM, but I don't have "permission" to reply on PM yet. Thanks so much for taking the time to help me out. I really appreciate it.

Good to hear that you're still in Psych. I'm really going to try to get some experience, maybe volunteering somewhere because that seems to be such a barrier to moving into psych. The hospital that I did my new grad program at didn't let you even choose psych as an option.

I'm at UCLA in Westwood.