What would you do?

[IsseyM]

I've been frustrated with my job lately. I've talked to the OR manager, OR charge nurse and OR educator about what cases i would like to do more of and what i really feel comfortable with. So i figured they would atleast meet me half way. I've only been on my own for almost 2 months and so have 5 other people who were in the periop program. I feel like i'm getting all of the hard cases. Average i do 4-6 cases a day and they are all TO FOLLOW cases. I'm exhausted by the end of the day. My other fellow classmates are doing the cases i would like to do atleast 2 or 3 times a week and me zip, zero, nada! Usually they have help, like swapping rooms or another nurse. One will do the first, another nurse will do the second, etc. Me, i hardly get that. I don't think its fair that i'm busting my butt more than my fellow classmates, even they admit that i'm getting screwed. I thought a loud bird gets fed, but obviously it hasn't worked for my situation. Sorry but i thought i would let out a little vent on here. Thanks for listening.

[suzanne4, RN]

Look at it from the other side, they are more confident in your skills. If they were not, they would not be giving you rooms like that. And for nurses just to swap out schedules is not a good thing. They are usually placed in rooms where the board person believes that they will be the most useful. It is not for them just to decide. That would not fly in many facilities, that is for sure.

Are you circulating, or scrubbing?

[decartes]

I agree! It appears that they trust in your skills and are practically one of the regulars. Need I include that you are even more experienced with each case.

[IsseyM]

Hi Suzanne and Decartes. I'm only circulating and ohhhh no the nurses don't swap cases on their own. No way. That doesn't fly here either. I meant the charge nurse will put 2 nurses and 2 techs in one room, so they alternate cases. The first team does the 1st, 3rd, 5th, etc. case and the second team does the 2nd, 4th, 6th case. Sorry, i should of explained myself better. I've noticed my other classmates get hard cases but not as frequent as i do but they get 2nd teams more often than i do.

Thank you Decartes for reminding me i am even more experienced with each case, yes i totally agree with this. Atleast its helping me get faster and faster, but oh how i hate rushing, can't think, feels like i'm forgetting something. Thanks you both.

[decartes]

No problem! Just trying to help others stay on the positive route. When you really think about it, the positives are usually more siginificant than the negatives.

[JHRN2BE]

Issey,

It sounds like the staff believes in you 100% otherwise they wouldn't be giving you the volume of hard cases. I know it must be incredibly stressful and you have already spoken to all levels of superiors, to no avail. I agree with the poster who said it is great experience. Is there a staffing issue that is causing you to be assigned back to back complex cases?

I say hats off to you for doing an amazing job!!! If it continues to concern you about the level of safety for the patient, as well as you not feeling that you are being the best nurse you can be due to time constraints and feeling tired, continue to keep the lines of communication open with your supervisor(s) as you already have.

Best of luck to you!!! JH

[ewattsjt]

Unfortunately no matter where you go, it seems as though the better you are and the better you handle stress, the more they feed you to the wolves. You are doing everything fine and great, otherwise they wouldn’t trust leaving you on your own. It is evident of your good job because your concern isn’t with your stress but it is with the safety of your patient.

We sometimes “tag team” here. If it is the same, one room is setting for the next case while the other is doing a procedure. If that is the case, your charge is probably thinking that if you do run into problems, you can call out and ask for assistance from the team that is setting the next one.

There are two ways to view this. One is that it sucks always having the more difficult cases; the other is that it is also testament of how you superiors think of you. Also keep in mind what previous posters have said; you will gain vast more experience than your classmates. This is not only good for you but for your future patients as well.

Well, that’s my 2 cents on the subject.

[RSturchRN]

You will learn something new everyday in the OR. Consider yourself at a greater advantage learning the more complex procedures rather than the more common cases. Organization and timing is essential in the OR and working together as a team is the foundation of a successful environment. You are sadly mistaken thinking the "loud bird" gets fed. You must earn a level of respect from your peers and this is accomplished through trust and experience. While your friends realize you might be getting screwed, have they offered to throw a helping hand? Keep up your good work and stay professional. I can assure you someone is watching and taking notes. Your hard work will reap rewards. Be sure you take notes as well for your evaluation :)

[RogueRN]

While it seems like the administration feels confident in your abilities, it doesn't sound like they are concerned about your mental well-being. Try finding ways to manage the stress (running/working out helped me). If that doesn't help, maybe it's time to talk to HR. Just a thought.

[passionate]

Currently I am only circulating. Enjoy scrubbing--I miss it so much. Look at your rotation as a gift and use it the way you want to.

[passionate]

Just thought--a loud bird doesn't get fed but becomes annoying. A smart bird knows where the "food" is and comes from. You have that figured out--you are a smart bird. Recently I read a quote on this site--"Never pass up an opportunity to keep your mouth shut". I have been using that alot lately and I think my inner loud bird loves it.

[bifurcated]

I would have to agree with the others that you will be that much better for doing what your doing. Do yourself a favor and stop focusing on what the other people are doing. this will only turn against you in the long haul. OR nurses have days where they may not feel like they are being challenged and days when they wish they were not being challenged! so go to work and be grateful that you have an excellent job and that you will be soaring long before the other's have gotten off the ground:jester: