Surgicenters

What do you think about working in a surgicenter. I'm looking into a position at one. I keep hearing the docs are "more relaxed" at the center as opposed to the hospital OR's, "less pressure" they say. Are all the cases short and fast moving? What are the hours like? Which do you like better the OR or the surgicenter?

I have worked at an outpatient surgery center for almost three years and yes, I do have to say the environment is less stressful. Our surgeries consist of orthopedic, general, gynecological, podiatry, ENT, EGD's, colonscopies and also pain clinic procedures. Obviously all cases are done that can go home that same day. Most of the average length cases are and hour to an hour and a half, on occasion running up to two or three hours depending on the case. Our hours run from the earliest nurse in at 0545, with cases starting at 0700 and we generally close up anywhere between 5:30 to 7:00pm, with every once in awhile running into a later day. The doctors are friendly for the most part with the occasional grumpy doctor to deal with in the OR. Our DON encourages us to focus on customer service and quality of care. We are the busiest surgery center in the area where I live, but the environment seems so much more relaxed than the hospital's environment, where I worked for 8 years. The other great benefits I love are no call, holidays and weekends off. It gives me more time to spend with my kids. Of course, as with everything, no everyone is suited or wants to work in an outpatient surgery center. Hope this information was helpful.

What do you think about working in a surgicenter. I'm looking into a position at one. I keep hearing the docs are "more relaxed" at the center as opposed to the hospital OR's, "less pressure" they say. Are all the cases short and fast moving? What are the hours like? Which do you like better the OR or the surgicenter?

About four years ago the Gastro Docs and surgeons started a surgicenter here. they took the staff they wanted and increased the wages to cover the call pay the staff would make here at the hospital. After 2 years the stress is high over there, Half the doctors want to build a 20 bed hospital, money is tighter, and doctors complain about turnover times and wages there. If the surgicenter is laid back and docs are cool, I would think about a change myself. it is not that way at this surgicenter.

I've worked in an outpatient surgery center, going on year seven. I think it's the best of both worlds, however you loose the experiences of those big cases. I like the amount of time off I have not having to answer call. We have a unique situation where if we wanted to work call for the adjoining hospital we can,and earn overtime as well, but it's an individual choice.

We had one until last year... a 5 year old child died from a simple routine procedure, because he was given the wrong medication. The physician who ran the place closed it down himself.