skydancer7

I second the operating room circulator idea. I have been an OR nurse for 10 years. You do a brief patient interview and the rest of the time the patient is usually asleep. You do have to deal with surgeons, though, and they can be major stinkers at times. But once you learn who you are dealing with and how best to work with them, I personally found it to be better suited to me. I also feel overwhelmed with patient interractions. In the OR, you still do a little bit of that but mostly it's very technical and coordination based. Might be work seeing if you can do a shadow day in the OR, see what you think. Don't beat yourself up! It's a hard job. You might also look into the root of your annoyance and see if there is some internal work you can do, since it will bring you peace in your life in general no matter what other jobs you end up doing. Out of necessity for my sanity, I did a lot of personal work and therapy to look into why I was so deeply affected by other people, and ways to improve my reactions to them that helps me cope at work. It's something that can be learned and improved over time but it's kind of like a skill and a muscle that some people need to work on more than others. Things like regular meditation are examples of what might help.

I know, I totally used to have the same reaction. I guess I got used to eyeballs over time ? Thanks for the Alexander's idea, I will try and find a copy asap!

Hi all, eye surgery clinic circulating/scrubbing experiences? I have been an OR nurse for 10 years and have done some ophthalmology scattered in with other main OR cases back in the day, but this job I am about to get an offer for is 3 ORs and one Lasik room, and they mostly do eye surgeries all day with some ENT as well: plastics/blepharoplasty, glaucoma, cataracts, scleral buckles, retina detachment repairs etc. I am sure it is pretty fast paced but from what I can tell it seems they have a good team. This is an outpatient place attached to/part of a major hospital. I haven't scrubbed in YEARS but they want to orient me, and I think I can do it. Sounds like I can eventually cross train to Endoscopy if I want, too, which could be interesting. Have any of you circulated and/or scrubbed in a place that does pretty much eyes all day? What did you/do you like about it? What are some challenges? Any resources you recommend to brush up on my ophthalmology procedure knowledge? I don't want to show up too rusty even though they are going to orient me ? Thanks!

CONGRATS, so glad you will be able to transfer! Sounds like that might work out best for you. Wishing you the best! Wish I would have gotten out of the OR sooner, but it got me to where I am today, so there's that ?

Hello again, I just re-read your initial post. If you have until end of June and are able to focus on just one specialty area, you might be okay! Is it the "right" specialty for you? Hard to know. But a year of OR experience is a solid stepping stone in any case. I HATED the OR for the first few years. 7 years later I tried med surg and realized I hated that MUCH, much much more. For me, OR nursing is the type of nursing I dislike the least (don't worry, I am back in school for a different approach to medicine) ? so it's hard for me to speak to how I knew it was the "Right fit" for me. It's just the specialty I kept getting hired into, because I had experience and the most comfort there. For me it was about finding an environment where condescending verbally abusive surgeons and nurse preceptors who eat their young were more rare and NOT an accepted norm. If you have found that in your OR, you found a gem and you should stick it out if you can. If you are able to transfer into something you KNOW you will love, by all means go for it. But it might be worth sticking this out for a year. Again, hope this helps ?

Hello! I SO feel your pain. I have been in the OR almost 10 years now, though it seems like only yesterday I was brand new and terrified. How is the culture? Are surgeons overall respectful or are you being condescended to and talked down to all the time? If its NOT a toxic environment, if you feel overall supported and if you are able to stick it out and get a year under your belt, you will be able to get a job anywhere anytime with OR experience. Not gonna lie, it is HARD the first year. It's hard to feel like you don't know what you are doing yet. The learning curve is so steep. It's totally normal and uncomfortable but it's going to feel like that in any new grad first year role, honestly. The cool thing about the OR, versus med surg and other areas, is you are never alone. You always have anesthesia and the surgeon and the whole team watching the patient. I felt way less afraid I was going to miss something and harm a patient, with all those eyes on the patient, in the OR. If they start crashing, you have support right there right away. So as a new grad, that is a benefit. Med surg you have 5 patients and can't be everywhere at once... I felt way less supported there. Is there a way you can advocate for yourself to get another few more weeks orientation? Or, can you pick a specialty and/or surgeon to focus on, so that you can gain experience and get comfortable in at least one area first? It would definitely be harder to try and get good at all of the specialties all at once, but if you could focus on say ortho, or general, that might help. At least until they can properly orient you to the rest. Overall, I'd say if you feel well supported and it's not a toxic environment like some OR's can be, it might be worth sticking it out. If you feel like patient safety is not a huge issue, just your efficiency level, that will come with time. I hope this helps!

This makes sense. My area is not covid-flooded yet; we acted early and our curve is a lot flatter than places like NY, so census is VERY low especially for surgeries, and with OR being my specialty, no one wants me right now. I decided to stay in school, finish the quarter, and just work starting in Summer. I am sure nurses will be ready for a vacation around then, so I will swoop in and be like 2nd shift, give them a break ?

WOW!. What a mess. Maybe I should not have taken leave from school after all... I have until tomorrow to change my mind ?

Thank you, that's really good to know and confirms what I was thinking is happening. It's kind of ironic and too bad; when they need help the most, it's hardest to get folks on-boarded. Put me in coach, I'm ready!

Hello all, I am an RN with 10 years experience, been applying for 2-3 weeks now. I have had one interview, they checked references. A week later, no reply. Talked with HR at two other places, they say they will get back to me.... Are they just so busy and overwhelmed that they can't get their *** together to hire folks? I have never (not since I was a new grad) had such a hard time getting hired! I have even been talking with agencies. 3 out of 4 haven't even followed up. I have excellent references, tons of experience. Left my last place on good terms. This makes NO *** sense. I took a leave of absence from school to join the covid response, and I am still sitting here on my *** waiting to get to work. I have to assume HR is just drowning right now...??

I am wondering the same. I haven only seen one ad for Oregon, a company I have never heard of called ALC staffing which has a one-star review on Google and no other web presence besides a shoddy website. Would love to hear which REPUTABLE agencies are staffing Pacific Northwest area.

Thank you. Wondering how hospitals are staffing up for this. It's about to blow up in my area, I am just waiting for the ads for crisis nurses needed but haven't seen anything yet. I guess I will start contacting hospitals. Don't want to get back into nursing long-term but feel the need to come out of grad school land to help out for a few months...

YES circulators absolutely are supposed to do their own pre-op interview and intake. It is abbreviated compared to the admission intake, but should involve introductions, name and date of birth, allergies, metal in the body, hearing aids/contact lenses, mobility limitations pertinent to surgical positioning etc. Everywhere I have worked, which has been a LOT of places over the 10 years, circulators are expected to do a pre-op interview (abbreviated yes, though it sounds like the RN in this situation didn't even do that) and sometimes clearly it gets missed because people are in a big-*** hurry to keep the conveyer belt cranking along because $$$. Anyway, yes, it is redundant for a reason; if the pre-op nurse or someone forgets to ask about allergies, someone else can catch it. That's why the patient gets asked the same questions several times before surgery. It's so we can all catch each other's misses and mistakes before it causes a safety problem. I can't tell you how many times EVERYONE missed something, and it's in the OR that the circulator finds out the patient still has their contact lenses in, or is allergic to latex, or is still wearing shorts under their gown and we need access. System of checks and balances, and things still get through the cracks. That said, yeah a lot of circulators just show up and wheel the patient back without so much as double checking the wrist band. Doesn't make it good practice.

He wasn't doing his job. He did not introduce himself. He did not do an appropriate pre-op interview and assessment. Sounds like he wore an outdoor jacket into an OR. Regardless of gender, this RN did not behave in a professional manner. I have "been there" if you know what I mean. I just wanted to validate your experience and try to shed some light for those who clearly aren't getting it. Sorry you had the experience, but hopefully some folks can learn from it. I have been a circulating nurse for 10 years. I have also witnessed unprofessional behavior from supposed "professionals" in the operating room. It happens. It's not unrealistic for patients to pick up on the FACT that some RNs, doctors, etc are more "professional" than others and thereby feel unsafe. Patients who feel unsafe should be able to voice that.

Male or female, I would also have been uncomfortable with a circulator who did not establish some base level of rapport, check my wrist band, and ask me all the questions that have already been asked 3 times by everyone else. There is more to being a circulator than showing up and wheeling the patient back, and charting and running for supplies. We are still responsible for our own pre-op checks, which includes talking to the patient, asking questions, going over any concerns BEFORE SEDATION HAPPENS. It sounds like this nurse did not do those things. It's not about the male being a NURSE. Note how the OP stated the other two professionals INTRODUCED THEMSELVES. The nurse failed to act professionally by establishing rapport and doing a thorough intake during a sensitive time, and that is the problem. Now onto the gender thing and the trauma response, since some of ya'll don't seem be able to put 2 and 2 together here: Given the sensitive nature of GYN procedures and the FACT that 1 in 6 women are survivors of sexual violence ( which is largely perpetrated by men... cue the #notallmen response, or better yet, spare me...), and likely have some level of PTSD around that, it is understandable that in a vulnerable situation, especially where the RN failed to establish trust and rapport, that the patient's amygdala would take over. As nurses we should know that the sympathetic nervous system response can hijack our rational brains. Yes a patient can logically "know" that nurses are professionals, regardless of gender. Yet their nervous system will still scream "UNSAFE!" at them, which is why our JOBS as NURSES include establishing trust and rapport whenever possible, to the best of our ability, regardless of genders involved. Most people have had some level of trauma in their lives. Surgery is a time when folks are already nervous, so these buttons can be pushed more easily, and an experienced circulating RN should know that and try to reassure the patient. The least we can do as circulators is make some eye contact, make some conversation, and put our patients at ease. This nurse, whatever their gender, FAILED to do that and the patient felt unsafe, full-stop. OP, you have every right to feel as you did. Don't let fragile egos of the #NotAllMen crowd make you feel otherwise. If the circulator did not even do the basic pre-op interview and couldn't be bothered to introduce himself, as a patient I would be wondering what else that RN is not good at. Surgical site cleansing? Sterile field monitoring? Yes nurses are "all professionals" hopefully, but we still need to reassure nervous patients by actually presenting ourselves as professionals. This includes introducing yourself instead of hovering awkwardly. It includes asking pre-op questions even though the admitting nurse has already asked the same questions. It includes asking the patient if they have any concerns before sedation starts. This nurse did not act professionally, so the patient should not be expected to trust blindly.

Life is too short to be so miserable. I completely understand. I also became severely depressed during nursing school and was making myself physically, mentally, emotionally ill trying to do the job after I graduated. I ended up in the operating room, which was horrible in multiple ways, but was the kind of nursing I hated the "least", so I stuck with it. It took me 9 years but I finally figured out what I want to do instead and am back in school for that instead. If you can walk away financially, I see no reason to continue unless you want to keep a foot in the door to have for your resume while you figure out what's next. You might like operating room. Great for extreme introverts (I am definitely one of those). One patient at a time. Your patients are asleep for the most part, and the only people you have to deal with are your surgical team, and most of them prefer less chit-chat so they all can focus. WAY less emotional labor than floor nursing. Could be worth looking into if you want to try one more specialty. I did the same thing as you... called out and used up all my sick time. Worked as little as possible, going so far as to live as simply as possible so that I could work fewer hours. Tiny studio apartment and eating refried beans for dinner so that I would have to work even less, just the bare minimum to get by and qualify for health insurance (I live in the US, so health insurance is tied up with your job). So I feel your pain and I am here to tell you it doesn't have to be this way... you can walk away. Find a way. Your sanity is PARAMOUNT. Nursing is a great foundation for whatever you decide to do in the future. So if you leave, don't think of it as a waste, but as a stepping-stone to whatever is next for you. Wishing you the best!

OP, I am concerned about your negative self-talk. Would you speak to a friend the way you are speaking to yourself? If you saw a colleague forget to log off, would you say "wow, you are a FAILURE and should just quit right now." We don't talk to other people as unkindly as we talk to ourselves. Why is that? We are our own harshest judges. In this job you will likely make mistakes and you MUST learn to be more compassionate with yourself. TriciaJ's re-framing of your original statement is something you should read again. Watch and listen to your inner self-talk every day, and find ways to re-frame things in a loving way toward yourself Words have POWER and can shape your thought patterns, which WILL affect your performance and your life. How you talk to yourself is extremely important in your ability to thrive in this job, and in any part of life. It is foundational. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help, and a book called "Feeling Good" helps re-train those negative thought loops that can keep you stuck. You need to nip this in the bud ASAP or you will tear yourself apart. You deserve to be kind and compassionate and loving with yourself ESPECIALLY when you are learning and making mistakes, as we all do, because we are human. Good luck to you!

My same day surgery center was 10 hour shifts. HOWEVER!!!! If surgeries are running late, you could be there 3-4 hours past the end of your shift. There is no night shift to take over; you leave when surgeries are done and patients are discharged. Sometimes that's early. Sometimes it's LATE, so be prepared for that reality, UNLESS your center is a place that actually holds surgeons accountable, says NO to unrealistic late add-on requests, etc. Good luck!

I would quit IMMEDIATELY, no 2 week notice. This is UNSAFE, and I usually don't recommend quitting without 2 week notice, except in situations like these where it is unsafe and you are being so obviously screwed over. I would simply call or email saying this is my notice effective immediately and I will not be back. Any new job that you apply to will understand if you say you left due to unsafe conditions that put your license at risk. I have done that before no problem.

Nope nope nope. Because a) not relevant to the job position, unless you are trying to get hired as a model or actor b) increases the chance of discrimination bases upon looks c) distracts from important points of your resume, such as your actual skills and experience. Hope this helps!

I disagree with requiring med/surg first; they are too different. I started immediately in the operating room. However, the place I started had an AORN periop 101 training program that lasted 6 months. That is what's most important, in my experience and opinion after 10 years as an OR circulator. I actually went back to med surg for a year, to get that "well rounded" experience. I would say it did NOT make me a better OR circulator. It just made me burn out and nearly loose my health and sanity while working med/surg. There is NO good reason to put someone through that in order to make them a good circulator. The skill set is so extremely different. However, having new grads in the OR WITHOUT a solid periop 101 program for 6 months is a recipe for frustration and failure. I am of the opinion that this definitely should not be done without a designated training program in place. NOT just throwing them to preceptors.

Glad you have received such wonderful support here! I have had preceptors like that and at a certain point I confronted one. I said "it seems like you are pretty upset that you are stuck precepting me today. How about I go talk to the manager about having someone else?" She backtracked really quick-like and was a bit kinder the rest of the day. I know it's hard and terrifying to stand up to these nurses but if you do it in a kind and respectful way, gently pointing out that they seem "upset", "angry", "Frustrated"... it holds a mirror up to their behavior and puts THEM on the defense, and they might ease up a bit. I simply got fed up with being treated like sh*t by cranky preceptors and KNEW that it was possible to have a different experience. As far as the rest of your lifestyle: Something has to give. You DO NOT need a 4.0 to be an awesome nurse. No one is going to ask or care about your GPA when you land that first job. You DO, however, need a functioning and well-rested brain. Sleep is absolutely paramount and should be prioritized over perfect grades. Maybe allow yourself a 3.6, and get closer to 7 hours of sleep a night. Hope things are looking brighter for you!!

3 gates: is it true, is it KIND, and does it need to be said? "I would not want you as a co-worker"... can you think of a kinder way you could have said that? Our OP is clearly severely down. Not the best time to kick someone. Of course we would all rather have our co-workers be pleasant and up-beat, but right now one of our own needs us and needs some support, not for us to feed her demons. OP, don't take that post to heart. Either that person hasn't been where you are, or can't accept that part of themselves, or doesn't remember what it's like. You have a lot to offer even if your depression isn't letting you see it right now. 22 is freaking HARD. It does get easier but you have to put in the work, so dig deep and take some of the good advice some people have offered here.

It took me 6 months to land my first RN job after getting my license. It's hard, I feel you. Depression and anxiety is probably coming through during your interviews. Managers love hiring people who radiate positivity and self-confidence, but if you are severely depressed, that's hard to project. Are there any resources in your state for low to no income counseling? It sounds like you could use some help. I know therapy is expensive, but meditation is not. Try 10 minutes a day, every day, just quieting your mind and focusing on your breathing. Can't do 10 minutes? Just do 5. Are there any free community tai chi or yoga classes in your area, for moving meditation? Free youtube videos if not. Meditation might not make you feel "better" right away. It might put you in touch with hard feelings, but it helps you to be present with them and be able to function with them anyway. It's free. It's empowering, if you can't afford anything else right now. Good luck to you, it's hard out there, it's not just you!! Hugs. Adyashanti has really helped me. Free youtube videos if you can't afford books right now. Empower yourself, you've got this!!

I'd say I am pretty solid and definitely better than average at starting IV's but not "the best"; we still always grab one of two anesthesia docs for the incredibly hard sticks. I was the only RN on shift at an IV therapy clinic, and I always got the IV in and working, for every patient, almost always just one poke. That plus 3 years as a phlebotomist has me feeling very confident starting IVs, but I know the VAT and infusion nursing involves more than just short peripheral lines. I don't have ultrasound guidance experience yet, and I know they do US guided access at one of these hospital VAT gigs. Would you say outpatient infusion is less stressful than hospital vascular access team?