Brewsky

I learned how to scrub as an RN before circulating so I get people have to start somewhere... however this person has ZERO credentials and has never stepped foot in the OR when we're in a sterile environment (they are in during turnovers cleaning- NEVER in the room even when we're opening) I just worry about it being a serious liability issue. A few months ago, we all were lectured on not letting med students touch patients in the OR, but they allow this??

I couldn't agree more! And to answer your question the aide is eventually going to med school. But undergrad wasnt even related to medicine, mursing, etc.Do you work at a teaching hospital? Because I don't. This is the first time something like this has happened.

I've worked in surgery for 4 years and the unspeakable is happening: Let me break it down for you: At the facility where I work, we use PA's, RNFA's or SA's (basically surgical technologists with additional training) to assist our docs during procedures. Lately staffing has been less than adequate.. and our charge nurse allowed one of our OR aides (YES, you heard me correctly. The guy who sweeps our floors with no credentials let alone medical training or trained in the use of sterile technique--- scrubbed in holding a retractor for an orthopedic surgeon) to assist in a total joint procedure today!! I was not the circulating nurse in the room, but I told that nurse I would refuse to allow the procedure to continue. I'm still scratching my head as to why the surgeon would allow this to go on, too! The charge nurse justifies her decision by saying that the aide "is almost in medical school." SERIOUSLY??? This has legal issues crawling all over it! Am I the only one who sees it? I told her "tomorrow I'll be intubating patients because I'm doing my pre reqs for anesthesia program so I'm qualified." ( I've been searching AORN and similar sites to try to find something in writing to support my view because my next step to report them to our compliance committeee because this is seriously a patient safety concern!! Does anyone have any thoughts, articles, input on the situation? I need help. Thank You

Surgery is a great specialty, and I completely agree that the nurse's role (often multiple: scrub, circulate or assist [RNFA additional certification])can not be summed up in a single observation. If you go to observe, it's okay to ask the nurse manager to observe with a strong (preferably someone who enjoys teaching) nurse to shadow. I did a nurse residency program in surgery almost straight out of nursing school and that was an awesome, detailed O.R. orientation. If surgery is where you think you would like to end up, check around facilities near you to see if they offer training like that.