Time on your feet? Circulating..

Editorial Team / Admin · Dec 22, 2016

As a circulator in cardiac surgery, my cases tend to be longer. I do have the opportunity to sit during cases. However, some of the other OR specialties aren't long cases, and those nurses are running back and forth between preop, OR, and PACU multiple times within an hour. So, without more specific details, it's hard to say. I also have plantar fasciitis- I've found custom orthotics to be an absolute godsend. Perhaps see a podiatrist if you aren't already to see what can help.

birdie22 · Dec 31, 2016

hard to say, I agree, it depends on the case and your assignment every single day. if you have 7-8 small cases you'll run your a** off, but if you have 1-2 longer cases, there is usually more time to sit. so unless you join a speciality team, it usually varies a lot

paranormal.coffeepot · Jan 10, 2017

I never had plantar fasciitis until I started circulating in the OR! Depending on your shift, surgical specialty, and case load at the hospital or surgery center you are at, you could either be doing a lot of standing in one place (charting and documentation), or running for instruments/equipment, going to interview the patient pre-operatively. Most days I get over 10,000 steps on my fitbit and sometimes I even exceed 15,000! But I work in a super busy level one trauma center where the OR's are split between two different floors. What helped me was buying shoes via Amazon prime with free shipping/free returns. That way if I ordered them and they did not fit or felt uncomfortable wearing them around the house/standing doing dishes, I could just return them no questions asked. Most chain retailers ie: The Walking Company offers discounts to medical professionals on shoes. Just bring your hospital badge :)

After my plantar fasciitis developed I also made sure I was able to get prescribed some new custom molded orthotics for my shoes, as most healthcare worker's insurance policies cover them as a necessary medical expensive. Not everyone's foot is the same but I have had the best luck with Super Birki's with my custom inserts and the Paloma style of Allegrias. Good Luck!

Wolf at the Door, BSN · Jan 22, 2017

I was considering this as a career change. I have a very thin footpad causing problems so I am not going to put extra stress on my foot. Remaining upright is more important. Northwest Foot & Ankle | Natural Care for Active Feet.

I am going to try his stuff.

Look on youtube for a video called Plantar Fasciitis or Fasciosis? User name: Correct Toes

Froggybelly · Jan 26, 2017

I will usually average 12-15,000 steps per shift. I prefer cases that are around 2-3 hours though, so a lot of walking could be avoided by getting into a subspecialty with really long cases. If I'm floating as an extra nurse, I may get 18-19,000 steps in a 10-hour shift. There is a lot of variability, so look at the size of your facility and proximity to resources (preoperative area, PACU, SPD, supply area, etc) before deciding on an OR.