Strong Personalities

[K.RAZ RNinOR]

Hello all.

How do you all deal with the strong personality types in the OR? I have been in the OR for about a year, prior to this I worked on the floor for 4 years as a nurse..

Today I worked with a Physicians Assistant who blew up on our new orientee because he was bringing the patient back to the OR before HE (the PA) saw the patient in the holding area. This was completely unprofessional. Not to mention, it is NOT our standard to NOT bring a patient back to the OR just because the PA or SA has not seen them. But for him to blow up in front of a patient as we are wheeling them back for surgury is absolutely uncalled for. This particular PA is not a private PA who works with only a specific surgeon, in case you are wondering. None of the other PA's at my work have ever held up bringing a patient to the OR because "they have not seen them." Typically the PA's and SA's accompany the RN up to the holding area to help bring the pt back to the OR, the RN checks the paper work, ensures the surgeon and anesthesiologist have seen the pt, the PA INTRODUCES themself and that is about it. I wanted to blow up on this guy and tell him that he is NOT a doctor. It's not HIS signature I am looking for on the consents before I bring a patient back.

And what is the deal with the circulator vs. surgical tech? Our techs are under the impression that all we do is chart. I guess I should just brush it off as not a complete understanding. I have never discounted their position, our techs are awesome and they know their stuff. However, I wish they would not pass judgement. I would like for them to switch roles with us for a day just to see the enormous responsibility we truly have. Again, I am not discounting them, I am NOT saying their job is easy. But I don't make judgements about their position because it's not something that I do, and I don't think they should judge my position either. They can't do my job. Not legally anyways.

[jeckrn, BSN, RN]

You need to pull this PA to the side and let him know what he did is unprofessional and will not be tolerated. When you are speaking with him let him know that if he wants to see the patient before the patient comes back he needs to do it while you are setting up your room, otherwise he will just have to deal with it. Know your SOP's about bringing the patient back so if he tries to say that he does ask him to show you where it says it. Also, let your head nurse know what he did.

Since he is a PA start making him go get his own gloves and gowns, make sure your surgeon has everything he needs before you turn your attention to him. When he ask why, just let him know that you are making sure the surgeon has everything he needs first.