6 years of med surg, transferring to OR. I am told to prepare for the worst. It's really affecting my anxiety. Any tips?

Specialties Operating Room

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Specializes in Med Surg. OR..

Hello all,

I have been a registered nurse for 6 years, mostly working in post surgical units. I was interested in the OR and landed a sponsorship. The theory part is finished and I will start clinial next week. Im a little anxious to say the least... I am told that there will be yelling, 'everyone in the OR is crazy', you will suffer, etc. Can I hear anything positive? Can anyone give me tips on making it in the OR? My anxiety is through the roof. I am preparing for the worst. I can be a little timid at first and I don't have an extrovert personality. 

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

 

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Hi there! I’m a new grad who recently started in the OR! I am also definitely not an extrovert. While there are definitely some strong personalities in the OR, there are so many amazing individuals who are very understanding and helpful. I have met more kind hearted people than rude. I am so happy I have decided to work in the OR. I used to work in med surg as an aid and was not happy. The OR  is very different from the floors so while you’re going to have to learn a lot, I really think you will enjoy! Best of luck!

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Specializes in Pediatric OR Nursing.

I also am far from being an extrovert. It takes me awhile to open up to people, but once I am comfortable with someone all is good. I've been an OR nurse for 6.5 years. Every OR has their fair share of strong personalities. There will be coworkers and surgeons you will not care to work with. But the majority of coworkers and doctors I work with and have met are all extremely nice. And when you are assigned to a room with some of your favorite people, it just makes the day so much better.

I have never really encountered yelling in the OR. Usually if a surgeon raises their voice, they are frustrated at the situation and not directly at you. And yes, it does take a certain crazy person to work in the OR but I love it. I went straight to it out of school and couldn't imagine myself working on the floor. You will learn a lot, there will be good and bad days but in the end it is very rewarding!

 

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Specializes in Med Surg. OR..

Thank you for your replies :) I just had my full week of clinical and so far it has been great! Most people are very helpful and kind. I am seeing amazing teamwork and I am actually so happy to be in the OR. I know there will be many more hardships but I think I will enjoy OR nursing!

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I mean, yeah, definitely prepare for the worst and be on guard. We've been yelled at by management, I got yelled at by my preceptor only once for making the same mistake over and over. Then 5 minutes later we were chatting like usual. And let me tell you, I haven't made that mistake since. I saw anesthesia and the surgeon screaming at each other, which was awkward. And there's one surgeon who gets frustrated and yells and nobody is actually scared of him.

I guess my point is, so what? People yell, it's not that big of a deal if you don't let it be a big deal. Also everybody I encountered has been super supportive and loves to teach. One of the surgeons even walked me through an ERCP as I scrubbed it for the first time. I would say the positives outweigh the drama. 

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Specializes in Operating room, ER, Home Health.

You have to have a thick skin to work in the operating room at times.  Most of the times it is a nice place to work.  Of all the times that a surgeon has raised their voice at me I can count on one hand the times it was directed at me; most of the time it is out of frustration on how the case is going.  At the end of the case or day they will let me know that it was not directed at me or any of the other staff.  

For the most part there is not much yelling or carrying on.  One thing that can piss off a surgeon is if you do not know what you are doing and try to fake it.  I have never worked with a surgeon who gets upset if you tell them right from the beginning that you are not sure on everything and ask what they would like done.  A majority of surgeons like to teach and will help you learn.

There are some very strong willed people in the operating room you will just have to learn which way is the best to deal with them, but do not submit to them.

Do not take everyone's word as the truth, if not sure look up the answer your self.  I have on many occasions found that what the person told you is not correct or has changed over the years.  Some of the most strong willed people are the ones who push that they know what is right and the only way to have them back off some is with facts.  

As you go through your orientation take a little of every nurse you work with to come up with your own practice.  There are some nurses that you will be with who are very set in their ways and will not allow you to do anything but their way.  If you are with one of those nurses just do it their way for the day and move on.   

One last thing because of how we work and see the human body some of our jokes have one foot on each side of the line and could make your ears burn.  

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Specializes in Med Surg. OR..

Thank you all for your response. I really appreciate your insight and enjoyed reading your tips ?

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Specializes in ICU, Trauma, CCT,Emergency, Flight, OR Nursing.

I wonder who was telling you all these "horror stories". Clearly someone who has no clue. You have good experience and a solid foundation in nursing . You will be an asset to any operating room team. Hearing of surgeons yelling and other personnel behaving unprofessionally ; I say this. They do that because they have been enabled by those who work with them to behave badly. You do not have to accept that. Call someone out for being rude and unprofessional and disrespectful. In this day and age, it is highly inappropriate to behave in such a way in the work place. Be the change and DO NOT enable such bad behavior by remaining silent. I've been a nurse for 24yrs and been in the OR for just 2 years and am loving it, but will not tolerate rudeness, bullying or other unprofessional behaviors . Stand your ground , knowing you are the better person. Learn lots, and fosters strong team relationships. Best of luck.

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On 11/23/2020 at 12:03 AM, Dkmn85 said:

Hello all,

I have been a registered nurse for 6 years, mostly working in post surgical units. I was interested in the OR and landed a sponsorship. The theory part is finished and I will start clinial next week. Im a little anxious to say the least... I am told that there will be yelling, 'everyone in the OR is crazy', you will suffer, etc. Can I hear anything positive? Can anyone give me tips on making it in the OR? My anxiety is through the roof. I am preparing for the worst. I can be a little timid at first and I don't have an extrovert personality. 

I just don't understand why some of the nursing community is not supportive. Yes some are but some are just down right mean and not supportive and it boggles me because we all benefit when we succeed and it's about the patient!! 

Anyhow, I wish you luck. I honestly believe you can do anything you put your mind to. I'm a new OR nurse - just 3 months now and the small hospital who hired me took a chance on me with no OR experience and I'm so grateful for it and dare I say, I'm killing it ?

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
On 12/1/2020 at 9:03 PM, RickyRescueRN said:

I wonder who was telling you all these "horror stories". Clearly someone who has no clue.

Oh yes. Those who have never set foot in an OR do like to share horror stories don’t they?

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