inspir8tion

I love my patients and all my surgeons. The problem I have is with my co-workers. I am still relatively new to the OR (2 years), so I am still gung ho. I strive to do my job in an excellent way. This pays off with the co-workers that have the same work ethic as I do; however, the lazy people HATE me. And there are far more of them than not. So, I literally feel like I am walking through quicksand when I am with them. They are mean, gossipy and belittling. I always get the hardest cases, which I do not mind at all except when I need something and no one is around to help me because they are off in the lounge gossiping about somebody. BTW this goes all the way up to the director. I left my last hospital because I did not feel their professional standards were in line with mine, just to go to a hospital that is far worse. I have changed my status from staff to per diem and I find that it is excruciating just going in the two to three days a week I am working. I have feelers out for another job - am hoping to get into a surgical center that has hard-working, respectful people.

Surgical techs are used instead of scrub nurses because they are cheaper to pay. So, in that respect they took over an aspect that used to be nursing. STs now work under nursing and as part of nursing. Your question is very broad. Do you have any specific questions?

Bug juice is usually normal saline with just bacitracin in it or bacitracin and polymyxin B in it (depends on the surgeon). These are antibiotics (effective against bacteria aka bugs). Pulse lavage is a way to rinse the patient out with the bug juice. It can be done by gravity or with pulse lavage (force).

Hand the instrument to the surgeon in such a way that he/she can use it in that position. They should not have to adjust the instrument. They should not even have to look at it. It would help you to watch how they use the instruments so you know what they are used for and can hand them over accordingly.

It is true we quit our managers, not our jobs.

Thanks for your response. I am happy you found a place that is good for you. If I could find such a place, I would probably not be looking at work outside of the OR. The problem is, how do you find those places? I have been to three hospitals and the second and third lied to me in the interviews. How do you sus a place out? How can you tell when nurse directors are lying to you and just trying to get you to work for them? I guess the bonus offers should have been my first clue.

I have been in the OR for a little over two years. I left the first hospital OR I worked in for greener pastures. However, I have since ended up in a place that is just as bad as the first place. I learned at the last AORN convention that nurses don't quit their jobs, they quit their managers. That has been true for me. I did not feel supported by the managers at the first job, but fell even less support (at times) at the current job. I feel like pulling my hair out. Let me just preface by saying I am a very hard worker. I don't mind hard work, and I have a pretty high tolerance level. I am requested by the surgeons because of my work ethic. I get consistently positive comments from my patients. Now for my venting: The people that run the department sit at the nurses station laughing up a storm while the rest of us are running around like chickens with their heads cut off. Instead, they could be implementing a concerted effort to organize the small OR we work in. I spend hours per week running after things that aren't in the right place, only to find we're out of stock, they've been moved or someone else took it into their room by mistake. The rooms are not set up by the night crew. Sometimes I arrive and there isn't even a bed in my room. The other day I started at 0600 and did not get a break until after 1100. When I said I needed a break, the answer I got was "nobody got a break." As if that is an appropriate response. This is all too common where I am located (and seems to happen in many ORs). What I need is support. Give me breaks at appropriate times. Have the night people set up the rooms (obviously if they have an emergency and aren't able to do so, that is fine) instead of sitting on their butts all night getting paid to do nothing. Divvy up the different aspects of the OR to nurses and techs so they are responsible for keeping things in stock/ordered. Give them the support they need to do their jobs. When I left my first job, they said "why do all the good ones leave?". When I leave this one, they will say the same but will do nothing different. I am seriously considering leaving the OR all together and, honestly, the OR needs nurses with my work ethic and compassion. It makes me very angry. I think, right now, I am way beyond burnout leaning more toward burnt out. Thanks for letting me vent.

I am also interested in hearing more about this online BSN school.

Thank you!

I am looking to order some of these and I saw that you got a half size bigger than your regular shoe size. I was wondering if the sizing is off a half size and they fit you perfectly or if you wish you had gotten the size 8's. Thanks! I can't wait to get shoes the work for me!

That is what I am hoping for. We go live on July 1. Hoping to speak directly to the McKesson rep before then. Thanks

I know many times there is more than one viable way to do something. I was wondering if when tucking arms you tuck the sheet under the patient or under the mattress. Also, what is your rationale for doing it the way you do. Thanks!

I am glad you haven't had any legal problems. Do you use orsos? I still think it is dangerous to have someone able to delete/change your charting. I would rather have keystrokes identified per user and not allow anyone to change someone else's charting (no matter what the reason). It is definitely a good idea to log off before stepping away from the computer. Thanks.

I will definitely do this. The McKesson rep is on site sometimes, and I plan on asking her. Thanks again.

Yes. They have bought a system that is sunsetting called ORSOS. Perviously owned by per se and bought out by McKesson. I appreciate your advice.