Why all the haters?

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Specializes in OR.

I'm a new grad who has accepted a position in the OR at a large hospital. I currently work at a different hospital, and when I told all of my coworkers, I received nothing but "you're gonna be so bored," "you're gonna hate it," "you have 90 days to change your mind." I would think that people would be happy for me, but it seems like I'm getting nothing but unsolicited bad attitudes. I don't know if people are upset that I won't be staying here and working with them or what, but I'm getting tired of all the negativity. I know that OR is what I want to do. I understand it's going to be different from all the other nursing positions I've seen...that's why I'm so excited about it! On the floors, I see nothing but people complaining about their jobs, complaining about patients, etc. When I shadowed in the OR, everybody seemed to love their job. I can't wait to start my new job!

I know I'm rambling...I guess what I'm looking for is a little advice from seasoned OR nurses (or even feedback from new grads who have started in the OR) about what you like, what you hate, etc. I also would like some suggestions on what to tell the "haters" at my current job.

Thanks in advance, and I can't wait to join the ranks as an OR nurse :)

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Specializes in Operating Room.

Welcome to the OR world!! I have been an OR nurse for 3 years and LOVE it!

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Congratulations on your new position! It's wonderful to know what you want to do, pursue it and get the job. I've been an RN for quite a while now and I love it. I remember when I first started, the negativity ("nurses eat their young") was overwhelming. I made a decision as a student nurse that I would never do that. I couldn't change anyone else, but I could make the decision to not participate in it and I'm happy to say I never have. Be proud of who you are and where you are and then pay it forward when you get the chance. Good luck! :)

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Specializes in Trauma Surgery, Nursing Management.

They are 'haters' because they have no idea what they are talking about.

Yes, the OR will be tough. Yes, you have to develop a thick skin. Yes, there is a ton of stuff to learn. But ya know, I couldn't be happier being anything but an OR nurse. IT IS WONDERFUL. The sheer amount of learning that you are a part of, the fact that you are able to hold a patient's hand during induction, the excitement of listening to the attending teaching the resident (ok, here is where I am showing my nerdy side), and the reality of only having ONE PATIENT AT A TIME is so worth all of the painstaking learning you must endure.

I am so glad that you decided to come to the OR. It is so different, and you will be challenged daily-but in a good way. It will be very difficult in the beginning, and you will wonder what in the heck you were thinking, but trust yourself and trust your instincts. Learning the OR takes time.

You must prepare yourself by reading about each case before you step into the OR to begin your day. Ask lots of questions and do not settle for an answer that you don't understand. As lame as it sounds, knowledge really IS power...so continue to ask questions until you understand the rationale.

Develop a good rapport with your Nurse Educator-they will be your lifeline when you feel like Rainman. Carry a small notebook with you to make notes. This will be a godsend.

Know that the OR is overwhelming AT FIRST. But when you get through a couple of months, you will start to understand it and one day exclaim "OH! I get it!" Be gentle with yourself and don't expect to master everything in one, two or even three months. It takes a year to be comfortable in the OR. BUT IT IS WELL WORTH IT!

Welcome to the OR. You will never regret it!

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Specializes in OR.

Thanks everybody!

Canesdukegirl - I'm assuming you live in NC and/or work at Duke? The position I'm starting is at Duke! Let me know...it seems like you know a lot about OR nursing, and I'd love to keep talking with you :nurse:

- Jenn

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Specializes in OR.

I had a clinical instructor in nursing school who told us that when it comes to the OR, you either love it or you hate it. It seems that most of the people I went to school with really did hate it (even though you don't really get a feel for it when you spend one day following a circulator). When I started working in the OR as a student, that turned out to be true. So many people thought they would love it, but 95% of them transferred out of the OR before they even graduated from nursing school. I knew from the minute I entered the OR when I was observing as a student that that's where I wanted to work. I hated my position as a student because it got so boring after a while (it never took away my interest in the OR though), but I knew that once I got my license, I would have a lot more things to do so I wouldn't hate it anymore, and sure enough, that's exactly how I felt. I started out in the OR, and the way I look at it is, if I'm not working in the OR, I probably won't even use my degree. The OR is an amazing place to work, and there's no way I will give up a job like that to become a floor nurse.

You can't really listen to what everyone else has to say about the OR. You have to figure that out for yourself since it really does seem like most of the people who go through there really do find out that it's not for them. When you do find it difficult though, don't give up. Like it was already mentioned, with the OR comes a huge learning curve. It will take at least a year before you really feel comfortable with what you're doing, but I do agree that it is worth the wait.

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Specializes in OR.

I got a job in the OR in January and love it!! I had the same response from people, telling me I would hate it, and it isnt real nursing, and that it is boring. I also like you heard nothing from floor nurses but how they hated their jobs and complaining constantly.

I never have a dull moment in the OR and am never bored. Maybe it is the surgeons but when I scrub I stay busy and when I circulate I stay even more so!! The attitudes of the people I work with are wonderful and it is like we are a family... the surgeons, the RN's, techs, and all!! I could not imagine working as a nurse in any other area!!

I wish you the best of luck in the OR and I hope you love it as much as I do!!

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Specializes in OR; Telemetry; PACU.
...and the reality of only having ONE PATIENT AT A TIME is so worth all of the painstaking learning you must endure.

Oh sweet mama this is so true!! :D And bored...are you kidding? Even in the longer cases I'm not bored. Eh they are just jealous. Let 'em hate, you'll soon be with a new team of supporters.

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Specializes in O.R., ED, M/S.

Going on 35 years and still wouldn't want to do anything else. I worked on a M/S floor and learned alot but it wasn't for me, worked in the ER but unless you work at a Level 1 trauma ER it is like working in a clinic, didn't care for it, even after working as a Paramedic for 5 years. Most nurses really don't know what goes on behind the closed doors of the OR so they can't be a good judge of what you will like or hate. It is a lot easier to get positions in most departments of a hospital than to get one in an OR. So consider yourself fortunate. Good luck!

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Specializes in Operating Room, Long Term Care.

I love the OR. I have never been bored. I get to do everything from IV sedation to Code C's. On call I never know what I'll get, but usually it's a trauma patient. I think I give better care because I only have one patient at a time and my full attention is given to them and only them. You do need thick skin and the ability to let things roll off your back. Good luck.

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