Specializing

walktheline · Nov 5, 2008

Good question! I would like to know also.

Also, do circulator nurses take a class in surgical equipment???

Fun2, BSN, RN · Nov 5, 2008

We tend to do all the services, but there are a couple that are 'specialized' in that service, such as Neuro.

As far as equipment, we are given an overall class on stuff, but we are suppose to have 'per service' classes as well. (Our new educator is getting this started, at least for future interns.)

We also have inservice every Wednesday on various equipment, etc.

NurseLumpia · Nov 9, 2008

In my hospital, the nurses don't have a specialty per se.

All know the general cases. But, then, if a particular nurse is interested then they must act for their own benefit and speak with the educators.

Plus, not everyone likes every case, one has a preference over things.

The educators rather have interested nurses rather than force feeding cases down your throat.

Scrubby · Nov 12, 2008

my hospital is all over the place.

some nurses do specialise, others want to but are not allowed. This causes a lot of stress because they are everyday thrown into different clinics, expected to know everything but are not given the opportunity to consolidate any knowledge.

Why some people are allowed to specialise is really because these nurses are smart enough to really throw a tantrum if put somewhere else. The other nurses are the ones who just do as they are told and end up stressed out but don't do anything about it.

Last year we had the department of health psychologists come in to try and help resolve our morale issues. One of the things that came out of it is that people want to work in speciality areas, only in certain clinics. I did a survey and 98% voted they only wanted to work only in one or two areas.

Nobody really wants to do ortho though. They have about 4 nurses for the two ortho theatres, but there is so much heavy lifting of instrument trays, patient limbs, etc and no orderlies and additional help that we really fear that area. A lot of nurses have back injuries from ortho. They will probably have to bring in techs to work there because the rest of us refuse to.

Satori77, ADN · Nov 12, 2008

Thanks everyone. I thought most OR nurses specialized, but maybe that isn't the case. Do you think it would be better to only work in a couple of areas and really know your stuff, be more comfortable, and happier? Or does it make more sense to know a little about each specialty? I personally think ortho would be fun, all those cool toys, but I can see how physically demanding it would be, and I am a small woman, lol.

Editorial Team / Admin · Nov 12, 2008

The majority of our day shift staff tends to stay in the same specialty, although some will float. As for evening shift (which I work) we have to be prepared to deal with whatever comes through the door, so specializing isn't an option. I know that personally I enjoy having a variety. If I were stuck all day in hours long back cases, I'd probably pull my hair out. On the other hand, if I were in a room full of short short cases, I'd probably pull my hair out too. Give me a little of both, and I'm perfectly happy.

Fun2, BSN, RN · Nov 12, 2008

Knowing a little bit of every service helps when you are on call....also, you're more marketable.

Scrubby · Nov 13, 2008

Thanks everyone. I thought most OR nurses specialized, but maybe that isn't the case. Do you think it would be better to only work in a couple of areas and really know your stuff, be more comfortable, and happier? Or does it make more sense to know a little about each specialty? I personally think ortho would be fun, all those cool toys, but I can see how physically demanding it would be, and I am a small woman, lol.

I think it's good to have some knowledge of most specialties because you just may be put in a position where you have to scrub for a different clinic and you don't want to fall to pieces.

But to be able to specialise in one or two areas is great because having people who know their stuff makes the day go by so much smoother.. I think people are happier when they have more confidence in where they are working. I have noticed how nurses who float to different areas seem less satisfied with their work.

Satori77, ADN · Nov 13, 2008

It makes sense to know a little bit of everything, and you would be more marketable that way.

michellehb · Dec 29, 2008

Hi. My hospital has a training program and at the end they let me choose where I wanted to go. (i.e. Neuro, General, Vascular)

I just graduated in May and the OR is my first nursing job. When I went through my Vascular rotation I absolutely loved it. It just happened to be available. I was worried about taking the vascular room since I'm a new grad with barely any OR experience but now I couldn't see myself doing anything else! :loveya:

Some people might be worried about specializing in one kind of surgery, but in my room, I get all the other cases put in my room when there isn't any vascular surgery.