Job Update

I thought since some of you don't really have much to do with medical things I would explain a little more about my job. I accepted a position as a scrub nurse with cardiovascular surgery at Children's Mercy. I was already working at Children's in the Pediatric Intensive Care unit taking care of heart patients (among other things) AFTER surgery. A scrub nurse is defined as:

The scrub nurse works directly with the surgeon within the sterile field, passing instruments, sponges, and other items needed during the procedure. Surgical team members who work within the sterile field have scrubbed their hands and arms with special disinfecting soap and generally wear surgical gowns, caps, eyewear, and gloves.

I will also be responsible for learning the circulator nurse role which is:

The circulator is responsible for managing the nursing care of the patient within the OR and coordinating the needs of the surgical team with other care providers necessary for completion of surgery. The circulator nurse observes the surgery and the surgical team from a broad perspective and assists the team to create and maintain a safe and comfortable environment for the patient. The circulator nurse assesses the patient's condition before, during, and after the operation to ensure an optimal outcome for the patient. Circulating during surgery is a perioperative nursing function.

On the CV Surgery OR team at Children's there are 12 nurses- 6 scrubs and 6 circulators. There are also 2 RN First Assistants which are:

Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA)
The RNFA has gone through additional extensive education and training to deliver surgical care. The RNFA directly assists the surgeon by controlling bleeding, using instruments/medical devices, handling and cutting tissue, and suturing during the procedure. The RNFA may also be involved with patient care before and after surgery.

There are 2 heart surgeons and they both have their own RNFA. Dr. O'Brien's RNFA is my boss. That's basically the entire team and my "unit." This can be good or bad, right? This last week I spent 2 days with each heart surgeon watching and learning about how things work in each OR (operating room). It was pretty boring but I will admit that I learned a ton about how things go and the different roles in the ORs. I think eventually I will like it but it's quite intimidating at this point and really scary!

Our RNFA's work directly across from the surgeon holding their instruments, helping to position tissues for them, suturing (stitching) things for them, and closing the chest after the surgeon leaves. There are 2 scrub nurses on the field. Scrub 1 assists with managing the instruments, sponges, and needles and is really in charge of making sure the surgeon has everything he needs before he asks for it. Scrub 2 manages the bypass lines- setting them up and getting them ready for the patient and then manages the suctions and assists Scrub 2. There are also 2 circulators in each room- they hand off all the stitches and extra instruments to the scrubs, manage the room, get blood or grafts for the patient and help the anesthesia dr. There is also the anesthesia doctor and the perfusionist (person who runs the bypass machine). Really not too many people! So I will be a scrub nurse eventually.

The next two weeks for me will consist of classroom orientation with the general Operating room nurses and educator. It's essential of course but also I am really dreading it. Because I have never worked in the operating room I will learn a lot, but it will also be pretty boring, I'm sure. After those 2 weeks I'll be back with my team and start my real orientation.

So far I really love the schedule. I was able to stay really organized this week and the kids did FANTASTIC at Pepper's! I think she is happy for the regularity too. I actually feel like I have MORE time- probably because I am forced to make use of the time I do have. Anyway- I'm off to take advantage of my Saturday!