Very discouraged!

4_Sq · Aug 21, 2011

It does get better.. some OR's don't have the consistency amongst their staff like others do, and this does make it very difficult when you are in a learning situation.

Try doing a lot of study on your own to make sure that you are using acceptable technique & then modify your practice from there once you have the hang of it..

When you are new to the OR, I think that everyone feels they have a "vested" interest in telling you what to do & how to do it.. Just let it go.. take what you can from these people, most of them can teach you a ton.

Rudeness is not acceptable, try to ignore it if you can, don't get caught up in any petty behaviors.. this makes you the better for it...

It takes a long time to gain a comfort level when there is so much new to learn, try and stick with it.. it does get better..

luvapug · Aug 21, 2011

Thank you for your post! I just needed some encouragement to know that it would get better so I appreciate you letting me know that!

4_Sq · Aug 22, 2011

So Very Welcome!:paw:

vascgenmaleRN · Sep 2, 2011

Yes, it does get better! I will suggest giving yourself one year to start feeling competent. I have 7 years of OR experience, (6 yrs scrubbing and 1 circulating) and learn something new everyday. I agree with doing some self study to improve your technique!

jeckrn, BSN, RN · Sep 2, 2011

Like every area of nursing it takes time to feel comfortable. Expect at least 1 year in the OR before you are. Even when you have experience and you change employers it takes time to feel comfortable at the new facility.

canesdukegirl, BSN, RN · Sep 2, 2011

Oh honey, it DOES get easier! The first year is the worst, so go ahead and accept that you will feel like Forrest Gump, RN. Like Box wrote, everyone teaching you feels that they are imparting the Golden Book of Knowledge to you. Some of them are right, some are wrong. You don't have any way to determine at this point that what your current preceptor-of-the-day is teaching you is the right way or the short-cut way. Unfortunately, most of your learning is inconsistent and fractured; that's the downside of having more than one preceptor in the OR.

For example, one nurse taught me NEVER to gown and glove from the back table. This is a sacred cow. Another nurse told me that it didn't matter. So the next day, I was with a different preceptor, I proceeded to gown and glove off of my back table and got my rear end handed to me by my preceptor.

It is so frustrating sometimes to be in the learning phase of the OR, because just when you learn to step to the right, someone is equally adamant about telling you to step to the left. You end up confused and defeated. This will pass. Thank GOD!

There are always a few veteran nurses that are the 'go-to' people in each service. Trust what they tell you and if you have questions, ask your educator or break out your Alexander's text and read up on proper technique.

Don't spend too much energy on a crabby surgeon. Once you learn what you need to learn and become proficient, they will trust you and you will develop a good relationship with them.

luvapug · Sep 2, 2011

Thank you so much! It's good to hear from those who have been there! I'm glad to know it will get better. Thanks for the good advice as well-I will remember it!