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Discussion

Working for surgeons outside of the OR?

I'm curious has anyone worked for a surgeon outside of the operating room?

I'm curious what kind of opportunities there are for an RN to do so..

There's a few surgeons I've developed quite a rapport with, and just wondered how viable it would be to work for them outside of just surgery.

I don't know how viable it would be, since I imagine ancillary staff could do anything an RN could do but much cheaper. But at the same time I figure first hand knowledge of the surgeon and the operating procedure could be valuable as well..

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    I once worked with a nurse who left the OR to work in the surgeons' office. Basically, she's working as an office nurse, much like what you'd find in a primary care or specialist's office. She isn't involved in surgery at all, and I can't imagine that having OR experience does much to help her in her current role. We also have a few surgeons who bring in a private scrub for their cases, mostly dental and plastics. The only other nurses that I've worked with who have switched to working with a surgeon are those who went on for an NP role and now first assist.

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    I tried this for a month and was miserable! I worked for a plastic surgeon who's office had its own surgery center. I was in charge of all things clinical; it almost sounds prestigious or impressive, but mostly it meant I had to babysit an inexperienced scrub tech and LVN. The LVN worked the front office (she is young and pretty) while my middle aged self worked in the back.)

    She would interview patients and run to the back to ask questions. I had to teach her how to start IVs, insert foleys, etc. (She was he first person I've ever witnessed insert an IV and bend it into a fishhook shape in the process.) .

    (The remainder of my time was spent running the surgery center and being an OR nurse.)

    In summary: I think the experience is very dependent upon the surgeon and the other staff s/he has chosen. In the OR you can escape a doctor when they grate a nerve. In their office you are trapped with them. Ditto their staff.

    Your hours are dependent on theirs. If their finances take a downward turn, your job is at risk.

    Also, I found the scut work tiresome and mundane.

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