[avimom]

Hi people,

Long time lurker here!
I work on a postpartum unit at the moment, and lately I've been tossing around the idea of OR nursing. One of my major issues with hospital nursing in general is that I have problems working on Fridays (evening, anyway) and Saturdays, which makes it difficult doing more than casual work.

I've got a touch of OR experience - scrubbing for c-sections - and I've been tossing around the idea of OR nursing, not only because I enjoyed the OR stuff I have done, but I'm also hoping that the schedule is more of a Monday to Friday thing. Don't get me wrong - I love nights and I work all the weekends I can - Saturday night is my specialty - but due to religious issues, working Friday nights and Saturday days for emergencies is more permissible than just general duty, 'let me help you latch that baby' type stuff.

Anyway, after that long winded intro, I was wondering one can just go straight into OR nursing, or if post-diploma special OR courses are needed. Thanks for your help!

[ortess1971]

It depends on your facility. Several of the hospitals around here are having RNs that are interested in the OR take a perioperative course at a local school for several weeks. The hospital does pay for it. Ask around and see what they are willing to do for you. Also, you do have to take call as an OR nurse. This also varies. At my place, it's about every 5th weekend and usually 1 night each week. If you like extra money, call is a good thing.

[jddorian]

avimon,
The hospital I work for, request all RN's that are new to the OR complete "AORN nursing course 101". (this course is taught at our hospital). Class room time (didactic hours are approx. 180). Each nurse completes clinical time at their assisnged hospital. (we have 6 hospitals) This is a GREAT course! You can complete in about 6 months--maybe 5.
Did you attend a course to learn scrubbing? If so you are already ahead!
Most OR's require you to take call like ortess said. Good luck.....

[shodobe]

Unless you are willing to work part-time, Fridays may be a problem. Working PT may allow you to arrange with your manager to not work Fridays but nay other days. Call may be your biggest problem. If you have to work a weekend call every 5-6 weeks Saturday will probably be one. Unlesss you can get someone to cover or switch with you this will be your responsibility. I have one person who doesn't like to be on call the first Saturday of the month for church reasons, but unless she can get coverage she is stuck with it. Good luck!

[oldornurse99]

My hospital requires one year of critical care experience and on the job training for 6 months .

[CIRQL8]

AviMom, At my institution, if you work full time and take 10 hour shifts (or part time, only work 304 days/week), it IS possible to get Fridays off - but not always easy. And then, as said before, there's that call thing. We have a couple of techs that split the weekday call - one takes the 3-11 ond one the 11-7. Perhaps you may find an RN to split the weekend with - you take Sun, and she take Sat. May I assume that you're Jewish and observe tha Sabbath? Perhaps if this is the case, your hospital will work with you???

There are options. Traiding, sharing, etc. Talk to the manager of the OR and see what s/he says.

[Roha]

We have a 6 month orientation. 2 weeks classroom, and the rest on the job. We rotate through each service for at least one month. The majority of our staff in the OR have went through this program, including myself.

[happylush]

Our hospital requires 1 year of recent acute care experience! I had an interview about a month ago and forgot about it because positions kept getting filled etc... they called me yesterday and told me the job was mine!
I worked on a surgical floor for a year and medical for half a year as an RN...
Each place is different I guess...