peabozzle

@kiki617 As an OR nurse for 15 years, I agree with most of what you say. I work with amazing techs that know & understand things about cases that as an RN who only scrubs when needed can EVER understand. I really wish RN circulators were required to do a certain amount of scrubbing just to see the "other side" of things! Also, I do agree most techs are underpaid & are often treated like second class citizens as far as breaks & lunches go. One reason I have insisted on being trained to scrub is to be able to offer breaks....like at the close of a case, I can load a needle & cut suture, apply dressings & clean up a room while you go eat.

I have been an OR nurse for 15 years....I was once a new grad in the OR. I am sorry you feel the way you do & have had the experience you have had. Perhaps I have been one of the lucky ones who worked with good teams & have experienced toxic people only occasionally. I disagree that RN will eventually be phased out of the circulating position & the fact that you think that is a good idea makes me believe you would be better suited in another specialty. What we do as circulators is invaluable, and good ones make it look easy. Also, as far as being "in charge of the room"......well that isn't why I love what I do. Technically, by definition, I AM "in charge" of the room until the surgeon walks in. However, when you work with a good team, you all work together to do the right thing for the patient (this includes the surgeon) and no one let's their ego get in the way of that. The majority of surgeons I have worked with across my career appreciate me advocating for their patients in every way that becomes necessary. I hope you find your niche in the world of nursing, whatever that may be. Not every specialty is compatible with everyone. Good luck to you

All of this is excellent advice. I truly believe that there are leaders that aren't management & management that aren't leaders. There is a difference.

depends on the day....I really do like my job & I am good at it. It provides me with financial stability & independence. I didn't become a nurse until my early 30's. I am 15 years in & am exhausted. Its physically, emotionally, & mentally exhausting. I am a Team Leader & am responsible for about 30 people & my director has checked out. Nursing was never my "dream". I wanted a job I could do anywhere so I never had to depend on anyone. Ultimately, I guess I wish I had started earlier & gone a little farther....maybe an NP. Or, maybe I should have followed that instinct in 1st year nursing school to change my major to pharmacy.....

ugh, says the nurse that works 4 10-hour shifts, days, no weekends, minimal holidays & some call. This is so dependent on what works for each individual. There is no right (or wrong) answer. That being said, right now in my life I would pick continental. I know I personally would not function working both days & nights....no can do!

BTW, excellent response to this post. Geez. Your writing may not qualify you for a pulitzer, but it was succinct, to the point & seemed professional to me. You did a good job of letting this Sour Lemon not get to you...keep doing that with the rude doctors & you'll be fine.

if the dr has a reputation for being a jerk, let it roll off your back. Your job is to advocate for your patients. If you had all the info you needed to make the call, were prepared & professional, their rude behavior is a reflection of THEM, not you. Hang in there

I am an OR nurse. I supervise CST's in a 8 OR hospital setting. They are required to multitask. They are always at a small risk of sharps injury, although at my very busy facility we have very few of them. That is actually a skill...how to pass sharps without injuring anyone. As a CST it is unlikely you will kill anyone. Yes, sometimes people crash & it gets ugly for a bit & sometimes the patient dies. Not because of a mistake you made. As you gain experience (& confidence) you will not be required to study at home for the next day. As overwhelming as it probably seems, most surgeries in each specialty are similar. You always start with a knife....and end with a stitch. The steps in between are amazingly routine & once you have done a few gallbladders, hernia repairs, tonsillectomies, thyroidectomies, hysterectomies, knee arthroscopies, carpal tunnel releases, they all become very "routine". As a new grad, you won't be expected to first scrub a total knee on day 2. (If you are, find a new job immediately.) I love the idea of working as a CS tech for a while. It will expose you to the intense environment of the OR, with no direct patient care (and at that point of the process, the sharps are pretty much gone & there is even less risk of an injury). Good luck with your decision!

This is my advice for any student...nursing or otherwise. YOU are in charge of your education. You are the one that has control over the experience....make the most of it. When you get into a clinical environment, volunteer to do EVERYTHING. Don't sit & wait for your preceptor to ask if you want to do something. YOU ask if they will help you tackle that skill; if for some reason its not optimal for you to actually do it, ask if you can watch them, & if they will at least explain what they are doing. I love teaching & preceptoring students. That being said, the first time I have to look for my student is the last time I will look for my student. If you aren't there to learn & take advantage of every single opportunity (or even look for your own learning experiences) then I am worthless to you. Also, this is a pet peeve of mine.....be quiet. Yes, ask questions, answer questions...but don't offer your opinion on specific nursing specialties until you have some experience to back it up. As an OR nurse, nothing is more annoying than a student who has been there ONE shift to decide that all I do is sit on my butt all day. Having said all that, good luck to you in your education! Nursing is a wonderful, complex, fulfilling, aggravating career!

I have been an OR nurse for 13+ years. I have used almost every laparoscopic system out there. I have my favorite :) This is what I know: 4K is basically worthless. Blind studies have shown the human eye cannot detect the difference between 3K & 4K. Our surgeons couldn't tell. Bigger monitors are nice.....if you can afford them. What really matters is the PICTURE the camera head is delivering....if it's no good, its gonna look worse on a big screen! Some of the technology out there is handy, like some the filters they have can really make a difference when you are in a joint, or a bloody sinus case. My favorite system can even personalize the system so when you turn it on & load a case for Dr SO&SO, the filters are automatically set to what they like. The second most important thing (In my opinion) is how intuitive the system is. Is it easy to use....can you look at it & basically know what you are supposed to do? Most of them are pretty easy, so this really is a personal preference. The other thing that is very important is their service history. When there is a problem, who do you call? Is there someone local that can help you, or are they selling you something & you will never hear from them again? Good luck!

After 13 years as a nurse, I still love that feeling. Especially on the patient that says "I have the worst veins ever, they roll, disappear, and blow really easy, usually anesthesia has to come do my IV, plus I am dehydrated so good luck" As I am looking & see several great options and BOOM get it the first time. And then they act disappointed.

I couldn't agree more! My current manager isn't much of a leader, frankly. Plus I really have no desire to "move up" in management.....that seems like more stress than I am interested in. Thanks for your input!

I need to pick all the great minds on here. I am an OR nurse with 12 years experience. I started in a small but busy county hospital. I cross trained in pre op & PACU, & about 4 years in, took the charge nurse position. About 4 years ago, a slightly larger physician owned hospital approached me (I was very frustrated at my administration, but was not actively looking for a job) and offered me an OR Team Leader position. I like it a lot, and am good at it. Like any "leadership" position it has its moments, and is often VERY stressful. In addition, I took a bit of a pay cut, I have a little over an hour commute each day. I have to be there between 0515 & 0545 depending on the caseload, so that makes for long days & early mornings. I have stayed on per diem at my original employer and work about 4 shifts a month in a completely "worker bee" role & really enjoy my time there as well. I get to see my friends, work hard, take care of patients & leave it all to someone else when my shift is over. One thing I really miss at my current position is I very rarely get to circulate cases. I give lunches, breaks, & help in lots of cases all day, but I miss the whole circulating process quite a bit. Two weeks ago a larger hospital contacted me about a FT OR circulator position. Again, I was not looking, they saw my profile on LinkedIn. The hours are better, the call is better, the pay is better, they are offering a sign on bonus & a relocation package. I would have to move about 4 hours from my current home. I was really thinking I had hit the jackpot! Less stress, better hours, I can circulate more, what's not to love? My husband, however says "you won't be happy in a worker bee role. You want to be in charge, you thrive on the stress." Several years ago, I would have probably agreed with him. But I am older, tired-er & really think I would be happy just working hard & then going home. No phone calls on the weekends or on my days off, etc. He insists that in the long run, taking a more managerial role (perhaps when my current manager retires) would suit me better & be "less physically demanding." Well, yeah that's true. However I think the mental & emotional stress of constantly taking care of EVERYONE (staff, surgeons, administration) every single day is more exhausting than a long shift of cases with patient care. He has some selfish reasons for raining on my parade, & I am fully aware of those. But what if he is right? What if I wouldn't be happy just working? What say you all? Can a "leader" be happy NOT leading?

I am also a messy prepper. I was taught "a messy prep is a good prep" ha ha! I have gotten a little better about not flinging Betadine all over, but I use a lot of it when I prep. I good prep is very important, more important than how "clean" I keep the surrounding area

uh yeah. "Call buddy"? No. I won't be anyone's buddy. I am happy to take my fair share of call, but it's managements responsibility to make sure everyone is covered according to policy/law. I would tell them as much. And I am in management....