OR nurses

[jwizle]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hey guys,

I'm a CA-1 and was wondering on what the job expectations of a OR circulator nurse are? At my institution, these nurses seem to forget about us, the Anesthesia residents, while catering to the surgery residents. It's even annoyed me that the nurses will call me by my first name and call the surgery interns, by Dr so and so. How should I deal with these nurses?

 

[fakin' the funk]

Hey guys,

I'm a CA-1 and was wondering on what the job expectations of a OR circulator nurse are? At my institution, these nurses seem to forget about us, the Anesthesia residents, while catering to the surgery residents. It's even annoyed me that the nurses will call me by my first name and call the surgery interns, by Dr so and so. How should I deal with these nurses?

Maybe you should stop being so independent and self-sufficient in the OR. Ask the nurses to get everything for you -- literally everything. Show up late, throw tantrums about every little thing, just generally be unable to think 5 minutes ahead in the procedure. Maybe then you'll reach the lofty heights of these surgery residents you so envy.

 

[nimbus]

Hey guys,

I'm a CA-1 and was wondering on what the job expectations of a OR circulator nurse are? At my institution, these nurses seem to forget about us, the Anesthesia residents, while catering to the surgery residents. It's even annoyed me that the nurses will call me by my first name and call the surgery interns, by Dr so and so. How should I deal with these nurses?

Have fun with them. Remember they are people too. You probably have a lot in common with them. And if there is a cutie, invite her to coffee...

 

[Osteoimperfecta]

Hey guys,

I'm a CA-1 and was wondering on what the job expectations of a OR circulator nurse are? At my institution, these nurses seem to forget about us, the Anesthesia residents, while catering to the surgery residents. It's even annoyed me that the nurses will call me by my first name and call the surgery interns, by Dr so and so. How should I deal with these nurses?

If you nail enough of them, they usually fall in line.

 

[imfrankie]

Be like Switzerland: take care of business, go unnoticed.

 

[countingdays]

Calling you by your first name is intentionally disrespectful. You can't change it, and if you try it probably won't go well. Your faculty talking to their supervisor could change it if your faculty will bother standing up for you.

 

[somedumbDO]

If you nail enough of them, they usually fall in line.

hahah the only thing they respect is your sexual prowess!

 

[yappy]

Calling you by your first name is intentionally disrespectful. You can't change it, and if you try it probably won't go well. Your faculty talking to their supervisor could change it if your faculty will bother standing up for you.

Why cant he just say "I prefer to be called Doctor X" in a non-confrontational way?

 

[KLPM]

Why cant he just say "I prefer to be called Doctor X" in a non-confrontational way?

I prefer Doctor Evil thank you very much.

 

[pgg]

I prefer Doctor Evil thank you very much.

I didn't spend six years in evil medical school to be called mister, thankyouverymuch.

 

[KLPM]

I didn't spend six years in evil medical school to be called mister, thankyouverymuch.

I never really liked group therapy.

"The details of my life are quite inconsequential... very well, where do I begin? My father was a relentlessly self-improving boulangerie owner from Belgium with low grade narcolepsy and a penchant for buggery. My mother was a fifteen year old French prostitute named Chloe with webbed feet. My father would womanize, he would drink. He would make outrageous claims like he invented the question mark. Sometimes he would accuse chestnuts of being lazy. The sort of general malaise that only the genius possess and the insane lament. My childhood was typical. Summers in Rangoon, luge lessons. In the spring we'd make meat helmets. When I was insolent I was placed in a burlap bag and beaten with reeds- pretty standard really. At the age of twelve I received my first scribe. At the age of fourteen a Zoroastrian named Vilma ritualistically shaved my testicles. There really is nothing like a shorn scrotum... it's breathtaking- I highly suggest you try it."

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMIDpJ8H7H0[/YOUTUBE]

 

[countingdays]

Why cant he just say "I prefer to be called Doctor X" in a non-confrontational way?

Because they already know he'd prefer to be called Dr. X and actively choose not to do it.

 

[Ipassgas]

Because they already know he'd prefer to be called Dr. X and actively choose not to do it.

Maybe. Maybe not. On his first day, he may have said "I'm Jwizle. Jwizle Suprershinthapali-Smithleshortz." And the nurse said to him/herself "Jwizle it is." And it spread. Maybe he mumbled his last name. Maybe the surgeons call their interns "Dr. Numbnutz" and the anesthesiologists call the CA1s Jwizle, and the nurses adopted the convention. Maybe they'll call him Papi, if only he'd ask nicely. Assume nothing, clarify everything.

 

[pgg]

Hey guys,

I'm a CA-1 and was wondering on what the job expectations of a OR circulator nurse are? At my institution, these nurses seem to forget about us, the Anesthesia residents, while catering to the surgery residents. It's even annoyed me that the nurses will call me by my first name and call the surgery interns, by Dr so and so. How should I deal with these nurses?

You could simply ask the nurse why he calls the surgery resident Dr and you Jwizle. It's all in the delivery, but you can address it without appearing whiny or insecure. They may hate the surgery residents and are simply trying to be friendly to you. They may be oblivious and think you're a CRNA or SRNA.

If it's deliberate snubbing (which it probably isn't), as a resident this isn't your fight, and it's a test of your attendings and your department, not you. If it goes on, it's their failure not yours.

 

[Osteoimperfecta]

You could simply ask the nurse why he calls the surgery resident Dr and you Jwizle. It's all in the delivery, but you can address it without appearing whiny or insecure. They may hate the surgery residents and are simply trying to be friendly to you. They may be oblivious and think you're a CRNA or SRNA.

If it's deliberate snubbing (which it probably isn't), as a resident this isn't your fight, and it's a test of your attendings and your department, not you. If it goes on, it's their failure not yours.

Perfect answer 👍 I have seen programs where their residents are put below OR/Pacu nurses. They even have those nurses evaluate the clinical competence of the freaking physician resident. Then turn around and wonder why the nurses think they can do your job, or why they disrespect anesthesiologists in general.

 

[chocomorsel]

Reminds me of my old program. Thank God there's an end to residency.

 

[loveumms]

Just be thankful they even know your name. Some of our nurses still call me anesthesia even though I've been in the department for 7 years. Granted, we have a very large OR staff and I'm sure it's hard to remember everyones name (I don't remember all their names so I can't fault them for not remembering mine). I don't answer to anesthesia though, I think that is very rude. I wait until they call me Dr. SOandSO or my first name.

I am a female and used to get all bent out of shape when people didn't call me doctor. Then I realized, in the end as long as staff addresses me as Dr.X in front of patients, I don't care what they call me anywhere else.

Try not to stress too much about these things. I have always thought that is what makes anesthesiologists so incredibly cool - they are laid back and don't get all bent out of shape.

Let me tell you one thing to never, EVER say to any nurse ... "I'm the doctor and you are the nurse". It's very rude and makes you look like a jack***. Nurses can be your best friend or they can make your life miserable.

 

[hankbb02]

Spend some time in the military and that goes away quickly.

 

[IlDestriero]

Calling me anesthesia gets you an immediate, "Don't call me/us anesthesia. I'm Dr. Destriero."
It comes up from time to time with new residents rotating through. Occasionally with a new fellow.
The Children's Hospital is more laid back, but "anesthesia" wont fly in my OR.

 

[Doctor4Life1769]

Just be thankful they even know your name. Some of our nurses still call me anesthesia even though I've been in the department for 7 years. Granted, we have a very large OR staff and I'm sure it's hard to remember everyones name (I don't remember all their names so I can't fault them for not remembering mine). I don't answer to anesthesia though, I think that is very rude. I wait until they call me Dr. SOandSO or my first name.

I am a female and used to get all bent out of shape when people didn't call me doctor. Then I realized, in the end as long as staff addresses me as Dr.X in front of patients, I don't care what they call me anywhere else.

Try not to stress too much about these things. I have always thought that is what makes anesthesiologists so incredibly cool - they are laid back and don't get all bent out of shape.

Let me tell you one thing to never, EVER say to any nurse ... "I'm the doctor and you are the nurse". It's very rude and makes you look like a jack***. Nurses can be your best friend or they can make your life miserable.

Riiiight.

 

[neusu]

Hey guys,

I'm a CA-1 and was wondering on what the job expectations of a OR circulator nurse are? At my institution, these nurses seem to forget about us, the Anesthesia residents, while catering to the surgery residents. It's even annoyed me that the nurses will call me by my first name and call the surgery interns, by Dr so and so. How should I deal with these nurses?

Are you more annoyed about the circulator catering to the surgeon or being called by your first name? If it's the former, fwiw that's what they are there for. Ask the anesthesia tech if you need something. If it's the latter, tell her sometime when it's not confrontational that you'd prefer to be called Dr. Jwizle if she is calling the residents Dr.

 

[mersault]

O.R. nurses are shameless people man. The conversations I hear them have early in the morning or later in the day when it's just me in the back of the room and them gossiping by the computer is pathetic and very "low-class" if you know what I mean (i.e about how to put make up on for surgeon X, dissing their ex-husbands with very, very profane language, etc.) . I keep my relationship with them strictly professional. They call me by my first name too which I don't really mind (you can't have a large ego in anesthesiology).

I try to be completely independent in the O.R. and I think in the past few months they've noticed. Alternatively, when I do ask for something they usually do it rather quickly cause they know I'm not BS'ing, but then when there's one I haven't worked with before she can "forget." I dislike the nursing profession overall (obviously not 100%, but you know what I mean) and think they are a major burden on healthcare dollars and cause for useless expenses....but I'll save that for another thread.

Good luck. Stay patient. Remember why you are there.

-Mersault.

 

[Idiopathic]

some people work very hard to breed familiarity. i think in our field, there are a lot worse things you could be called than your first name. i also think if its going to affect your ability to do your job and your confidence level re: "what will people think of me" then it warrants talking to that person privately, finding a way to articulate your thoughts in a direct, yet nonconfrontational manner.

you dont want to get labelled as difficult or arrogant 3.5 months into your CA1 year

essentially, the job of a circulating nurse is to facilitate the operative procedure, start to finish. they are not there to anticipate your needs, or the surgeons for that matter. they respond to direct requests and being polite helps. if everything you need has to be done immediately, that wont work. planning and flexibility are key. if you think you may need albumin or type and screen during a case, get those items before the start. obviously urgent situations demand fast action, and those can only be prepared for so much, but those probably arent the issue at hand.

id be curious to hear about the interactions that you have with your circulators

 

[Sonny Crocket]

During my residency, some were nice, some were mean and insecure. I personally did not give a dime after a while. If I needed something, I said it confidently and got respect. When communicating with surgeon, be confident and people will notice. Never try to impress anyone. Do your thing and be good at it and you will get the respect you deserve. If they call you anesthesia, call them OR nurse, or surgery, OB, whatever..

 

[jwk]

If they call you anesthesia, call them OR nurse, or surgery, OB, whatever..

All these years and I've never heard that - I'll try it tomorrow. 😀

 

[DreamMachine]

If they call you anesthesia, call them OR nurse, or surgery, OB, whatever..

Lol, I always do that. Call: "Is this anesthesia?" "Who's asking? Is that you, nurse?"

 

[Kahreek]

"I need a nurse in here"

I was told being passive aggressive is the cornerstone of healthy workplace relationships.

 

[countingdays]

Lol, I always do that. Call: "Is this anesthesia?" "Who's asking? Is that you, nurse?"