Crazy day!

Today I got into the OR bright and early. I arrived at 0630, dressed in my scrubs and reported to the OR. I began by opening my back table. I scrubbed in and it started from my preceptor already. He is a big and semi lazy kind of guy. He barks commands and makes me feel somewhere around 3 inches tall. He only "teaches" when my instructor comes around otherwise he is a pretty territorial animal. These are "his" docs and well, I don't get much time in the drivers chair. I have been there for almost 4 weeks and sadly, I don't feel as though I am getting an adequate training. I am going to a new facility starting on April 22 so, I am very excited about that. These are the cases I have scrubbed so far: (most of them at least a couple times)

Lumbar lamenectomy
Bilateral mastectomy with tissue implants
Knee Arthroscopy
Open reduction internal fixation of a Big Toe!
Ulnar nerve release with saphenous vein graft
laproscopic appendectomy
bilateral unguinal hernia repair
Toe Pinning
shoulder arthroscopy
percutaneous toe pinning
discectomy
Open reduction internal fixation of elbow
Carpal Tunnel release
ganglion cyst removal
neurectomy, CTR, Tendon lengthening (for contractures)

Doesn't seem very exciting and honestly, it really hasn't been all that much. I am nervous a lot and I don't get to get in there because my preceptor is a turd.

Today I was observed by my instructor during the Carpal Tunnel Release. I am not aggressive enough in the OR because I am so worried about someone being mean to me. I don't want to interrupt people when they are talking but, I am finding it is the nature of the business. I don't want to ask my cirruclator for things I don't need right this second if she is busy. I need to break from that mentality and speak up. I am so disappointed. I am normally a very aggressive (in a good way) person and for some reason, I am buckling under on this one. I don't get it. I WANT this. I NEED this. I NEED to get it together and quick. Please, give me the strength and the skills to get it together.

After lunch, I went in and observed in a dental case. A 7 year old girl on the OR table for "Dental Restoration". AKA - Don't have to brush my teeth if you don't make me......Now my teeth are ruined. Anyway, I understand that it is very hard for kids and it is even harder for the parents. The thing is, if your kid is about to go under for bad teeth, don't promise them SKITTLES when they wake up! Seriously?! Anyway, I realized today I know why I can't stand Dental Stuff. It doesn't have anything to do with the blood or the bad breath, its the saliva suction! BARF!! LOL

My day was over by 1 and then I headed back to my school. I had a great talk with my program director and she will hopefully have some good news to share with me and in turn will share with you!