Small OR Management

[kathyann]

I just recently accepted a position as a working manager in a small , rural hospital in the OR, and I would really like to communicate with other managers functioning in this type of role.

I am finding it difficult sometimes to get any management duties done ; such as updating policy and procedure manuals, because by the time the days cases are done it is late in the day, and everyday issues that arise seem to take up the remainder of the time I left on the clock:(

Also, when you work along side the employees in your department doing cases, you do develop a sense of comraderie, and I want to make sure that while I can be pleasant to work with, that I am also an effective manager.

Any tips? I am new to management:)

[ceecel.dee, MSN, RN]

Originally posted by kathyann

I just recently accepted a position as a working manager in a small , rural hospital in the OR, and I would really like to communicate with other managers functioning in this type of role.

I am finding it difficult sometimes to get any management duties done ; such as updating policy and procedure manuals, because by the time the days cases are done it is late in the day, and everyday issues that arise seem to take up the remainder of the time I left on the clock:(

Also, when you work along side the employees in your department doing cases, you do develop a sense of comraderie, and I want to make sure that while I can be pleasant to work with, that I am also an effective manager.

Any tips? I am new to management:)

I am from a rural, county hospital, and have worked in the OR as a circulating RN and PAR nurse. Do your staff a favor and understand and be able to do their job, but only to fill in for unstaffed cases. They need you to do the managing of the department, the policy and procedures, the keeping up with modern times, the communication with the other departments, etc. Do not become over-involved with your staff...this only leads to favorites/favoritism/inability to discuss staffing/scheduling and personality problems. Institute daily routine, maintenence and stocking assignments, fair and predictable call schedules.

Jeez, I could go on and on...sorry.

[kathyann]

"Do your staff a favor and understand and be able to do their job, but only to fill in for unstaffed cases. "

Well, there in lies the heart of my issue...It is a small hospital. We have 3 OR's and a GI Lab, and a two bed PACU. I have to circulate and scrub cases, because there are only 2 FT RN's and I am one of them:)and one FT/one PT scrub.

Right now, I don't even have a PRN Nurse to fill in....position has been posted for months, but no applicants.

So, have to help with cases, and do the management duties, however-there are some days I guess when I could step back more from those duties and reserve time for management stuff-I will just have to find a balance that works I guess.

Thanks for your thoughts:)

[squeek]

hi, Im from Oz and I am simply a scrubber ....

I am amazed that with 3 or s and a gi lab you only have a 2 bed pacu!!! I have worked in 3 different hospitals (small metropolitan) all of which have had 4 ORs ( 1 is only for emerg cases ) and a procedure room, yet each have had at least a 10 bed pacu..... well utilised too!

Each operating theatre suite has also had a clinical nurse manager, who will fill in occasionally ... but rarely .... and 2 clinical nurse, who assist with education, and other management duties....

Is your situation unique? or are you really understaffed in the US? I am curious?

[kathyann]

Yes, It would be nicer to have a larger recovery area; but then again, we do not have all that much volume. Seldom are we running more than one room at a time..occassionally will have a surgery and a GI lab case at the same time.

There is a nurse shortage for sure-the PRN position at this hospital has been posted in house and advertised locally for months with no applicants. It is a small, rural town and most people would not think of moving here unless to be closer to family.