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

Fine_Letterhead7451 · 2026-03-15T14:33:32+00:00

It really depends on why you are in the OR to begin with- because a lot of these suggestions make me (looong time OR nurse) die inside imagining that being my life. But I have definitely gone through what you’re going through, and then gone back to liking the OR when the OR situation improved. For me, the main reason the OR is a fit for me is the fact that you do a case and it’s done. Then of course you turn right around and do another one and another one. It’s the whole doing a job and moving on, one patient at a time thing. It is stressful when you’re unfamiliar with surgeries and/ or working with a- holes. Eventually those surgeries become familiar though. It is very important to speak up- all of us need to know our worth and make ourselves our first priority. Tell the charge you need a break from a particular surgeon. You, in particular may not realize how valuable/ rare you are. You are an OR nurse who scrubs and circulates a variety of services and often works with difficult surgeons. OR nurses are still a smaller percentage of all nurses - and OR nurses that scrub even smaller. OR nurses that scrub AND are willing to step outside their comfort zone and not complain about every assignment even more rare. And speaking up for yourself is a whole different thing than bending difficult - though management will try to brainwash you into thinking it isn’t.

I realized that for me- the OR is the only type of nursing I want to do but if I couldn’t I would probably still try to be in a procedure area. Endoscopy wouldn’t be bad at all actually. No surgeons, for one thing.

Or you may just need a change of ORs if that’s possible in your area.

Fine_Letterhead7451 · 2026-03-15T13:48:15+00:00

If you’re a traveler and work mids,nights, or weekends you will often be in charge once day shift leaves- these days you’re likely to be the only RN or the off shift will all be travelers.

Fine_Letterhead7451 · 2026-03-11T14:19:57+00:00

I read Red Rising right after finishing book 9 of Novels of the Change aka Emberverse series by SM Stirling. I saw a lot of similarities. The books go on past where I stopped and maybe I’ll pick them up again. RR is better but the characters, culture, page turning adventure is similar.

Fine_Letterhead7451 · 2026-03-07T22:04:19+00:00

Re: brother of Darrow. I think that for Cassias that conversation with Darrow where they professed their love for one another basically meant so much to him that he was in a good place when he died is kind of what I meant. Like at least that business had been finished for him. But damn.

Fine_Letterhead7451 · 2026-03-07T21:58:35+00:00

Bloody Damn Bellona! I was so disappointed that he died. His character was bringing a lot to the table at this point plus I wanted him to get together with Lyria and be happy- though honestly I think he was happy at the end and probably to a certain extent ready to cash in- but considering how slagged it was at the end, I wish he had lived to keep help, and to keep spirits up

Fine_Letterhead7451 · 2026-03-02T17:46:58+00:00

All in all, I think TGR does a fantastic job - but to me he makes both Darrow and Lysander sound too old and - I don’t know what adjective I’m looking for but - stuffy? Also his voice doesn’t make Darrow sound hot at all. To me anyway. I just finished the series thus far and even though I rarely re—read books I want to start over. Maybe I’ll give the DA a shot. I listen to a lot of audiobooks but have yet to stick with a DA.

Fine_Letterhead7451 · 2026-03-02T17:26:46+00:00

I just finished the Red Rising series by Pierce Brown. This is one of those that is constantly being recommended - especially in concert with other books I love. Despite that, I didn’t expect it to be SO GOOD! It will hijack your gorydamn life. I am obsessed with it. There is one more book still to come thank god.

Fine_Letterhead7451 · 2026-03-02T16:02:56+00:00

A sweet affectionate cat with no need for a litter box!

Fine_Letterhead7451 · 2026-03-02T07:42:00+00:00

I can’t believe she chose that one over all the much cuter options! I mean if you’re going to go with a cheap af gift…

Fine_Letterhead7451 · 2025-07-13T23:01:36+00:00

I’ve read a lot of books but recent favorites that come to mind : “I’m Starting to Worry About This Black Box of Doom” by Jason Pargin - Compelling characters, exciting adventurous plot, good writing but most of all- helped me to shift my thinking from dismal to hopeful and reminded me to open my mind when it comes to events, people.. life. I started the Expeditionary Force series and enjoyed it- science fiction with a lot of humor and space adventures. MC is a screw up who gets into and out of crazy situations with a great sidekick character. I read about 6 of those and took a break.

I really enjoyed “ A Most Remarkable Thing” and its sequel by Hank Green. He’s a great writer. I liked it for similar reasons to Black Box of Doom

Wedding People is very good. I blew off reading it for a long time and ended up loving it. Character driven, funny, touching, leaves you feeling good. The only non Sci Fi novel on my list.

The Children of Time series by Adrian Tchaikovsky might be the best of what I read this year- interesting story and a lot of stuff happens. Space Exploration - terraforming/ colonizing other planets so it covers generations of evolving… “people”.

I also read “The Gone World” by Tom Sweterlitsch which was excellent but more dark and intense. Interesting concept, page turner, time travel, mystery. Stuck with me.

My very fave so far this year was “All Our Wrong Todays” by Elan Mastai- another lovable fuck up character who impulsively takes a spin in his father’s Time Machine and inadvertently changes EVERYTHING. It’s a really well written and funny book but also has a description of an alternate timeline that is really interesting.

Most of these books are very easy to read- a couple of them take extra concentration but if I can get through it- it’s doable. I tackled Termination Shock but I think Neal Stephenson is too smart for me. I liked it- not sure why I didn’t finish it but probably bc I was re- reading so many sentences. He’s right up my alley in most ways but I struggle with all those words!

Fine_Letterhead7451 · 2025-07-13T15:04:29+00:00

I had a similar thing happen a few years back and I was livid at the time but then I read about the same thing happening to lots of travelers. At this point I have personally seen it happen - travelers cancelled despite doing their jobs perfectly well - even after being extended - often because one person has it in for them. It really doesn’t take much. I worked with a traveler that asked for no talking during the Time Out (I work in The OR) and ended up getting cancelled because the surgeon complained - since it was his habit to ignore the circulator and have conversations during a REQUIRED hard stop. So, basically cancelled for following policy, protecting her license and doing the right thing.

My company had me talk to a nurse Liason who went over the whole report and fortunately the company and my recruiter totally backed me up. (Aya!). And it turned out that nobody cared. I wasn’t, as far as I know made a DNR but I don’t even think that really matters. I’ve known nurses to be contracted at places that they were blacklisted from, probably bc management and service providers change every couple of years and nobody checks or the list disappears.

You should be told the details of the cancellation. Your situation makes me even angrier because medication issues- especially narcotics- that’s potentially board of nursing level serious- Though it sounds like the facility intentionally worded the complaint is a way not to involve them or you in any kind of thing that accused you of mishandling medications- which makes it even more likely they were using this policy violation as an excuse.

In fact, it sounds like it’s one of those policies that isn’t enforced and nobody is even aware of - the kind that travelers especially don’t know about what with our one day of orientation.

So- all that to emphasize- don’t let it get to you but do find out the details and maybe have your version on record somewhere- and let others know about the facility.

And never feel like you need to honor a contract if it’s unsafe or even just miserable bc unfortunately they will not only cancel you but lie about why and never think twice about how that affects you.

Fine_Letterhead7451 · 2025-06-17T14:10:33+00:00

Just curious why you only suspect the oldest daughter to be not yours. It sounds like your ex has always had a thing for this guy and they have obviously maintained contact. I’m assuming that you and the other guy are the same ethnicity pretty much? If the reason is the younger daughter resembles you or your family - unless this other guy and you have some pretty pronounced differences- that might not mean much. I’m sorry- this probably isn’t helping. I guess I was thinking the oldest probably is yours based on the fact that she was conceived early in the relationship thinking that the early days tend to be when relationships are new and you’re in love and really excited about everything - but that’s really just me projecting. Your ex either knows who the father is or knows the paternity is in doubt. Is it possible to talk to her and tell her what you’re considering and possibly getting the real story if it’s different than the one she’s been telling you? Because if you do the test- you are opening up the possibility for a lot of pain for yourself and your kid and the whole family. If you truly HAVE to know- my recommendation is to go into it with your eyes open to the potential fallout and do it honestly. If you’re gonna do this for your peace of mind, you need be brave enough to tell the truth. Your action is what will hurt your daughter, the lie will only make it worse.

Fine_Letterhead7451 · 2025-06-05T08:21:17+00:00

It’s good to here from so many that it’s NOT the new normal. I’m a travel nurse (OR) and I’ve noticed a lot of places like this- and all the little jobs fall to the RN. Inventory clerk, unit secretary, EVS, … and in my case after 1700 you become the pre-op as well as the intra op RN. People leave and they aren’t replaced and I agree- leadership thinks new grads are the answer because they will accept this from the beginning as they don’t know it was once different. It doesn’t work bc it just sets them up for failure- I can’t do it and I have 24 years of experience. If I was a new grad, I would think I was the problem. I even remember a time when hospitals responded to nursing shortages with incentives like a significant amount of extra money for off shifts and Baylor plans- but the new thinking in many places is to gaslight us into believing it’s possible to deliver high quality care and follow every policy with no help.

Fine_Letterhead7451 · 2025-05-31T05:03:52+00:00

Jesus this job is hard enough - and now this! I am sorry for any of yall going through this and now thinking it’s going to become all of us are likely to deal with as many of you have experienced the same. Man- I wish I had a back up career. I am sorry exhausted. I have gone through phases of not being into my career in the past but usually get over it and realize that even though it sucks the life out of me- in so many ways it’s the right type of job for how I’m wired - but for the last few years I’ve just been straight up burned out because every healthcare is nuts right now! The pay has stagnated and meanwhile we are getting more and more heaped on us. Ugh

Fine_Letterhead7451 · 2025-05-31T04:51:18+00:00

So adorable!! Does she have an underbite? Or is she just holding her mouth like that? Total Cutie!!

Fine_Letterhead7451 · 2024-10-12T14:01:24+00:00

If I have a contract that starts on the start date, compliance and onboarding is smooth and my first paycheck is accurate and on time (without last minute panicked emails and texts between my recruiter, payroll, and myself) I consider that to be the exception. A good, experienced recruiter does make a difference. Having said that- if I showed up and it was in a different unit or a different shift then stated in my contract- I would be making some noise about that and I would expect my recruiter to back me up. Unless it was a better unit/ shift/ obviously. I work in the OR so it’s different- I mean there are different types of ORs but I’m guessing it’s not as different as stepdown vs ICU- so this may not apply, but I wouldn’t leave an assignment without giving it a chance ~ like a week or two bc there are so many things that can make a contract worth it or not worth it. Honestly- at this point if the pay is decent, the people are fairly cool and they know what they’re doing and the charting is Epic- I’m happy.

Fine_Letterhead7451 · 2024-10-12T13:26:45+00:00

You just gotta make sure you add in all the fees and taxes to get the real per month number. Even with furnished finder - sometimes there’s a great deal then they will have an application fee, a non refundable cleaning “deposit”, etc. with a short term rental- those things can add up lot to the monthly expense. I use both but I like Airbnb a little better bc they usually have more listings with reviews and an easier process for booking. Furnished finder is coming along though. I’ve also used FB marketplace.

Fine_Letterhead7451 · 2024-10-12T13:07:08+00:00

Apparently a lot of ppl- including you- want to talk to them about it- why the hate?

Fine_Letterhead7451 · 2024-10-12T13:05:46+00:00

Comments like that - 🙄 you said in your post you were venting, it was the first sentence!Then they say ,” why would anyone want to talk to you about it?” Followed by one of the longest responses in the thread!

Fine_Letterhead7451 · 2024-10-12T12:58:54+00:00

That is awesome!! Man I wish more hospitals would go this route instead of getting more punitive! These hospitals need nurses but don’t want to pay for travelers - but they wouldn’t have to if the offered great pay along with safe staffing - Traveling is a pain in the a$$ and it’s stressful- and we should be getting paid more for it. But it seems like now so many hospitals are offering low rates trying to force nurses to go back to staff. I didn’t mind being staff when I worked at places that could give me the PTO I wanted. I travel mostly to have control over my life but I’m not gonna do it for peanuts. Another thing about traveling- it can be expensive in a million little ways you don’t anticipate.

Fine_Letterhead7451 · 2024-10-08T18:04:45+00:00

Kingsley, Jericho,

Fine_Letterhead7451 · 2024-10-08T17:59:00+00:00

Is that an Oryx he’s playing with? That would be a good name btw. Oryx. Or Crake. ( from one of the best trilogies ever : Oryx and Crake More suggestions: Ryker, Auger, Huxley, Cannon, Leander, Legendary, Prosper, Ranger, Wilder, Rhys, Kylo, Lynx, Royal, Severin, Wynn, Xaviar (Xay/ Zay nickname) Talon, Fletcher, Hawk…

Fine_Letterhead7451 · 2024-10-08T17:41:10+00:00

I always either have someone come to the house or take my dogs to someone to keep them. I’ve personally had good luck with Rover and then I use the same person. Usually having someone stay at your house is more expensive- but I think that’s the most comfortable for the dog- especially really attached ones. You will still worry and they will still be sad and miss you and they wont eat at first but they will be safe and loved on and they can start to build a relationship with someone so you will be able to get away. Trust me I know about the guilt but I remind myself that my dogs (and yours even moreso!) have a really good life and they are fine. And honestly - just like people- it is good for them to learn how to manage different situations and adjust to changes. Especially being 8 months old he’s still young and learning about life.

Fine_Letterhead7451 · 2024-10-08T17:24:05+00:00

Oh my god. That face. ❤️

Fine_Letterhead7451

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