Thinking of a career move...

[kbit]

I work in the OR but am becoming bored with the situation. I scrub a lot a bunch of different services but am also expected to circulate all these services also. I'm also getting sick of all the cattiness. I'm sick of trying to "motivate" my techs to be team members. Management is constantly changing the paperwork or adding to our paperwork/responsibilities. They want all this done in the same amount of time. I feel like I am rushing through my interview with the patient. Well enough about that... I was thinking of trying maternity nursing. I love babies and being pregnant. I just don't really know what to expect. Just wondering if there are any L&D nurses out there who can give me a reality check in you dept.

[SoldierNurse]

I'm not an L&D nurse, yet an OR nurse (the past 3 yrs) just like yourself and can completely sympathize with your dilemma. I, too, have become bored with the OR, specifically circulating. I was a Scrub Tech (CST) for 3 years, so I love the opportunity to "scrub-in" when I get the chance, which is few & far between. Our OR utilizes Scrub Techs to the max. Plus, your right in regard to some Scrub Techs can make for a miserable day. I mean, if I can obviously hear the Surgeon needs something I don't need the ST to yell across the room for me to "fetch it" if I'm already headed towards the cabinet reaching for the particular needed item! I find some of the younger STs have no tact when requesting an item, whereas when I work with some of the more experienced Techs we can make eye contact once a Surgeon request an item & I'll promptly get the particular instrument or set that is needed without the Tech saying a word to me. BTW, we do computer charting in the OR at my hospital, which can be a distraction and overall pain in the a#$!

I have 1.5 years experience in Telemetry nursing, where I met my wife, and 1.5 yrs experience in critical care nursing. I'm also in the USAR Nurse Corps and work in a 10-bed ICU on my drill Saturdays. In fact, last August for my 2 week annual training (not really training, yet 2 weeks of active duty)I worked on a Stepdown Unit, and loved it!

I plan to either go back to critical care nursing, or go to CRNA school thru the Army Nurse Anesthesia Masters program. I do enjoy the team work involved in perioperative care (when I'm working with motivated members), however for the most part I'd rather have more autonomy & direct care involvement with patients, like in ICU. I really envy the RNFAs but not willing to hassle with insurance reimbursement. In my area RNFAs have to market themselves and I'd rather be guaranteed a steady paycheck.

So, maybe you could apply for a PRN position on a Maternity floor, then if you like it make a switch to full-time. The great thing about nursing, besides helping out the underdog, is the wide variety of career options & mobility we have as nurses. I'm curious, how long have you been an OR RN & have you done any other type of nursing? "Intro... I'm from upstate NY. I work in a small hospital in the OR. Before that I worked on an acute geriatric floor and in a nursing home." I just read your Intro Thread, so that answers my question. I still encourage you to seek out a PRN L&D position. For the most part, the patients are very healthy (ASA 1), so the only orientation time you'd need would be the specifics related to maternity nursing.


Good luck!

[kbit]

I have been in the OR for about 5 years. When I first started I did a little of both circ and scrub. I almost quit because I hated circulating. I talked with my boss and told her that and she said that if I want to scrub more I would have to go to evening shift. I did and get to scrub a lot. I still circ a lot too but no one gives me credit for that. As a nurse who can circ and scrub, the other nurses give me crap saying things like, "oh you don't have to know or wouldn't know because you scrub all the time." They want to scrub but also want about a 6 month refresher course on some of the procedures we do. I don't get that. I get, "hey go scrub in so and so's room." So I do. Most of scrubbing you have to grab on the fly as I'm sure you know.

The one tech I was talking about rubs a lot of people the wrong way. Just today I took over a room and she ordered a PA to suction. He told her, " I didn't know if I do it right." He was being sarcastic because she must have been riding him. I wish some of the docs would step up and tell her to back off.

As far as maternity goes... I would love to be a teacher and a leader. I want my patients to be confident in me. I am kind of afraid of some of the questions they will ask me. I chat on some of the pregnancy boards and some of the stuff they say is way over my head. They know lab values and everything. I know that I am not brilliant but I don't think I'm ready for a brain transplant either. Ugh! I am so undecided.

[cassioo]

did you have to go to 1st assist class to get to scrub. They won't let any nurses at my hospital scrub except one who is with a certain doc who's been to 1st assist all we do is circulate...which I don't really mind because if it's not my day to circulate in OR and recover the same patient then I might be hell day in L&D and have 2 inductions going and ready at the same time.... my unit is usually really slow or swamped no happy medium.

[elewisrn]

I have several opportunities with top hospitals in the country. Very high sign on bonuses with relocation assistance. If you are looking for more of a challenge and a strong management team give me a call so I can send you more information about some of our clients.

Regards,
Eric Lewis

Eric Lewis
Sr. Healthcare Consultant
Aquent Healthcare Solutions
52 Second Ave
Waltham, MA 02451
Phone: (781) 522-8207
Fax: (781) 890-5753
Email: elewis@aquent.com
Web: www.aquent.com

[elewisrn]

I totally understand your frustration. My company works with the top and most progressive hospitals in the country. We offer large sign on bonuses and relocation assistance. We have top benefits and top pay. Please call to find out more. These are all full time opportunities with top teaching facilities.

Regards,
Eric

Eric Lewis
Sr. Healthcare Consultant
Aquent Healthcare Solutions
52 Second Ave
Waltham, MA 02451
Phone: (781) 522-8207
Fax: (781) 890-5753
Email: elewis@aquent.com
Web: www.aquent.com