Tell me why you love it :-)

[ORRNCNeo]

I was an ICU nurse for newborns/pediatric patients for 14 years. I entered an OR internship program and have now been in the OR for 1 year. I perform both circulating and scrub roles. I am not in love with it and I struggle at times. I don't like to quit something before giving it a fair chance and I want to excel at new things. Can you help me? Pep talk? tell me all the reasons you LOVE OR nursing? :-)

[mp86]

ORRNCNeo, it would be interesting to know why you don't love it.

Thanks

[ORRNCNeo]

I don't like the pace. I feel as if a lot of team members behave as though every surgery in the nation has to be done in one day and things are rushed, therefore increasing the possibility for mistakes. For example, I like to incorporate ways to prevent injuries for my patients through correct positioning, but I rarely feel like I'm given enough time (or sometimes access to the patient) to accomplish this well. This may be because I've only been doing it a year and I'm not as skilled as long term OR nurses, but its just one example of what causes me anxiety. I don't feel like I'm able to deliver good/safe care.

[OR_RN_]

I too sometimes feel very rushed to position the patient, prep, etc. Sometimes you just have to make the surgeons wait. The patient is your number one concern, not their time schedule. I know it's easier said than done, but you just have to do it. I love working in the OR. Surgery is a really scary time for patients and their families and its our job as the RN in the room to make sure that the patient is receiving the care they would want if they were awake. I also love that its very fast paced and it's something new every day. There really is no room for getting in a rut.