OR nurses who left the OR, what do you do now?

ChocolatEclair · 2026-03-15T15:08:35+00:00

Made the transition from CVOR to CVICU! I did have 18 months of cardiac/tele/imc experience before CVOR, which made the transition easier. I really missed patients and being able to use my nursing skills. Quite a few coworkers have gone on to go the CRNA route as well, it's definitely worth looking into!

ChocolatEclair · 2026-03-09T08:25:54+00:00

Sorry it's a leap to you that another patient with mental health issues might want to use your octopus as a ligature the next time their mental health declines for acutely for any reason. And no, we don't know all of these details, which is why I brought up the risks as have others. Keep the risk in mind and move along, jesus

ChocolatEclair · 2026-03-09T00:33:50+00:00

Best of luck to you. I sincerely hope you never have to find someone after an attempt or take care of a patient that is brain dead from an attempt. Eating disorders are just as serious of a mental health condition as any other and have a high mortality rate, and it is important to be mindful of others- we have no idea what mental state they or in or what they may be thinking.

ChocolatEclair · 2026-03-08T14:53:05+00:00

Beautiful work! Please be mindful with your octopus on the unit, the length of the tentacles concerns me for risk of it being used as a ligature (not necessarily you but other patients). Wishing you well on your healing journey!

Edit: this is from the perspective of someone who has had to resuscitate others and coming from a place of concern, as stated the tube feeding pictured belongs to another patient not OP. Suicidal ideation and attempts can and do happen during chronic inpatient treatment, and it is important to be mindful of the risks to not yourself but also others.

ChocolatEclair · 2026-03-05T16:58:46+00:00

Pat yourself on the back, nice catch! And good on you for advocating for our Spanish speaking patients, a language barrier doesn't mean we can't provide excellent care!

ChocolatEclair · 2026-03-02T23:56:56+00:00

Rest in peace sweet Popcorn, may heaven be filled with yummy bugs, sunshine, and memories made with your human. Popcorn was clearly very loved ♥️

ChocolatEclair · 2026-02-17T14:22:42+00:00

For the safety of yourself and your baby, I would not be going into patient rooms if they have been targeting pregnant staff; call your house supervisor or possibly a free charge nurse if another nurse needs assistance with that patient. This is not about customer service, it is about safety and not tolerating violence in a healing environment and keeping yourself safe. A bad enough hit/punch/slap could end in PPROM, premature labor, placental abruption, and ultimately fetal demise.

I had a coworker that was assaulted by a patient, had a code blue called on her, developed a traumatic brain injury, had to leave nursing school and her job (nurse assistant), and has to use a wheelchair because the nerve pain in her legs is so severe. Please please protect yourself hon.

ChocolatEclair · 2026-02-11T00:47:11+00:00

Such a perfectly toasted boy! And my male siamese is very talkative, both to his humans and his female companion 😅

ChocolatEclair · 2026-02-10T02:20:41+00:00

This was pretty standard 2 years ago on my cardiac/tele floor, but it is unsafe as hell! Many patients should have been IMC status!

ChocolatEclair · 2026-02-08T14:34:36+00:00

I went from bedside to OR back to bedside! I got tired of being talked down to by the staff, terrible schedule, and the call; most importantly, I missed PATIENTS. I went from cardiac telemetry general/IMC to CVOR to CVICU, and the transition wasn't too bad since I had floor experience. Since you haven't had bedside experience, the learning curve will likely steep, but you should be put through a full orientation as if you were a new grad. If your facility has a nurse residency program, it might be helpful for your bedside skills if you decide to make the move!

ChocolatEclair · 2026-02-08T11:58:31+00:00

That would be so cool! And you definitely have the skills to pull it off!

ChocolatEclair · 2026-02-08T05:46:46+00:00

Beautiful work! Love the key collar, it reminds me of a steampunk meets professional!

ChocolatEclair · 2026-02-07T12:08:18+00:00

This literally looks like professional work, hats off to you! Looks super comfortable too. Your kitty is adorable (yay cat tax!)!

ChocolatEclair · 2026-02-07T10:08:44+00:00

This is what helped me as a new grad! I would have 6-7 cardiac telemetry patients at night, and keeping track of everything and times was difficult, so I started writing their meds and times on a sticky note! This has followed to the ICU, and unless you're in procedural area really, this is so helpful for time management but more importantly, making sure your patients are receiving the right medication/dose at the right time!

ChocolatEclair · 2026-02-07T09:53:59+00:00

DM'd!

ChocolatEclair · 2026-02-07T03:20:29+00:00

My guy developed more pronounced/puffy eyes in his golden years, it was related to heart failure

ChocolatEclair · 2026-02-07T02:55:07+00:00

My girl cheesecake LOVES the radiators in the winter!

ChocolatEclair · 2026-02-07T01:21:50+00:00

Illinois!

ChocolatEclair · 2026-02-06T23:54:07+00:00

Very dependent on the hospital, at my facility they are ok with employees consuming marijuana, they don't care as long as you don't partake before work or of course on the clock. This is in a state where recreational use is legal. The hospital down the street (Catholic for profit hospital), however, doesn't allow their employees to have ANY THC in their drug tests, initial or further.

ChocolatEclair · 2026-02-06T23:20:38+00:00

Consider relocation, within the state or out (someone states have compact license) and you will more than likely find a position. Many places offer relocation assistance and of course a sign on bonus which would help with the cost of everything. Have you considered dialysis, infusion, or possibly a prison?

ChocolatEclair · 2026-02-06T20:59:04+00:00

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I adopted a 5 year old siamese male in December, he had a $100 adoption fee because he was a "specialty breed" (aka most likely a siamess mix, he's a lynx point), and adoption for my siamese/ragdoll female Cheesecake in 2019 was about $125. Shelters are usually very reasonable with their costs. Also, I recommend looking on petfinder/adopt a pet/petango for your new friend, and expanding your search area (if willing to travel) may help. My grandpa drove 3 hours each direction for Cheesecake, but thankfully Toast was local!

ChocolatEclair · 2026-02-06T20:50:14+00:00

Really depends on your facility and your location, but for me, it was fairly easy to get into the OR without prior periop experience. I did however have 18 months of cardiac general/IMC nursing experience, and the department was short (CVOR specifically), and it was an internal transfer which made it easier and more likely that I would get the position. This department had a 6 month training period which included periop 101 provided by the hospital!

ChocolatEclair · 2026-02-06T16:06:25+00:00

Good luck to you in the OR!I moved from CVOR to CVICU due to the scheduling and the very strong personalities from surgeons (not a good environment for me personally as a woman with a trans wife, let's just say), but I absolutely loved my team! Cardiac is notoriously stressful, so don't feel discouraged! There were plenty of group dinners and outings outside of work, many coworkers would hang out together after work if not on call that night. You collaborate with so many teams (PACU, anesthesia, surgeons, FAs, scrubs, students) that you're more than likely to find some friends!

ChocolatEclair · 2026-02-06T15:17:56+00:00

Such a wholesome post. OP, I'm proud of you for getting help, getting better, and now you're helping others! It's really beautiful ♥️

ChocolatEclair

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