surgeons

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what are the surgeons like in the OR? are they really as crude and hateful as some say??? Ive read posts saying that some surgeons make fun of patients or a patients body during surgery? or that they can be "diva's" and unpleasant to work with?

I was actually thinking about trying to get into an OR after I graduate instead of midwifing..because i find surgeries and the whole enviroment very interesting..although I've only been on the patient end -ive had mutlitple sugeries..only one where I was awake though..and the whole team seemed to get along so well and they were such a lively bunch..it honestly seemed like they were having a good time-:)

the program Im applying to doesnt let you have any time in the OR..so I was hoping I could get the above answers from you ladies!

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Specializes in OR Hearts 10.

Surgeons are like everyone else, some are nice, some are ********. It's a very stressful time, even if they get upset, as long as they are venting about the situation and not about me, I'm good.

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Surgeons are like everyone else, some are nice, some are ********. It's a very stressful time, even if they get upset, as long as they are venting about the situation and not about me, I'm good.

I was going to say the exact same thing.

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do some really make fun of patients though? i could handle ********..but making fun of a patient..not something i could handle.

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Specializes in PACU, Surgery, Acute Medicine.

Yes, some surgeons make fun of patients, but some nurses make fun of patients, too. There are definitely ORs out there that have mostly decent surgeons. But just like any place on Planet Earth that a person might work, there will be at least some nasty people. You can't escape it 100%. Keep in mind that most surgeons respect competence, so if you learn to do your job well, that will likely minimize any bitchiness. When you're interviewing at a particular facility, be sure to ask a few of the nurses who are there how the surgeons are and be ready to read between the lines of their responses. No nurses can resist complaining about bad docs if given the chance! Most of our surgeons are great to work with, a handful give me stomach cramps. But the ones who are really great make working with the humps worthwhile.

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Specializes in 2 years school nurse, 15 in the OR!.

Most surgeons I work with don't make fun of the patients... Having said that, comments are made. Stuff like, "she needs to lose weight, he has terrible teeth, when was the last time they cleaned their belly button? etc..." Nothing malicious though. Usually, it's just observations. I only worked with one surgeon who truly was making nasty fun of a patient and I put a lid on that real quick. All surgeons are different, and they can be a little "testy" especially when stuff starts to go wrong. I love our surgeons and just choose to deal with their "moodiness" when it occurs, there usually is a reason in my OR. Good luck and try not to worry too much. Sounds like you would be good in the OR to protect patients against any nasty comments. Keep us updated.

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Specializes in Operating room..

My co-workers are very professional and I have never heard them "make fun" of patients...I have heard a few "belly button" comments though (always try to clean those before surgery!). Dr's can be a handful. Most of what goes on you need to be able to let it "roll off your back". It's not personal (mostly). It's just a stressful environment. I love the OR. You do need to have the personality for it (thick skin, a little ADD, ability to do everything at the same time).

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Specializes in O.R. Nursing - ENT, CTC, Vasc..

I have had surgeons get crabby with me when it was something they were doing, had nothing to do with me, that was stressing them out. These people I just have to not take personally and not react to the toddler behavior. Just like you do with a toddler. :)

AND - you as a patient may see your surgeon joking around but some surgeons I work with are like Jekyll and Hyde - they're sweet and nice til they are scrubbed in and ready to go. Their ******* switch turns on.

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Hi and thank you for your post. For me I find that most surgeons are pretty nice, you'll always have the occasional jerk, but you'll get that in any workplace.

Just one thing I'd like to point out though...

..so I was hoping I could get the above answers from you ladies!

And gents :)

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