[blacksea pebble]

Hi everybody!
I looked through many posts on OR but did not find one that had information on good orientation programs for new grads. I’ve been interested in surgery since I was ten. When I was in school, my best rotation was in OR; I just had this feeling - I BELONG HERE! After graduation, I started in L/D and had some OR experience with c-sections. Unfortunately, I have only 4 months experience. Our hospital requires 1 yr of M/S in order to get OR position. I just can not bring myself to do M/S in spite of my love for OR. Do you guys know any hospitals with good OR training programs for new grads? I live in CA, but I will relocate for a good training.
I will greatly appreciate your advice!

[WitchyRN]

Originally Posted by blacksea pebble

Hi everybody!
I looked through many posts on OR but did not find one that had information on good orientation programs for new grads. I’ve been interested in surgery since I was ten. When I was in school, my best rotation was in OR; I just had this feeling - I BELONG HERE! After graduation, I started in L/D and had some OR experience with c-sections. Unfortunately, I have only 4 months experience. Our hospital requires 1 yr of M/S in order to get OR position. I just can not bring myself to do M/S in spite of my love for OR. Do you guys know any hospitals with good OR training programs for new grads? I live in CA, but I will relocate for a good training.
I will greatly appreciate your advice!

I live on the opposite coast so I can only tell you that many hospitals here(including mine) routinely take new grads into the OR. Maybe you could try calling various hospitals in your area and asking if they have a periop orientation for new grads?

Good luck!!

PS...I would think your L/D experience would be more valuable than med/surg experience..considering you did c-sections..

[ewattsjt]

I live in central IN and most facilities around me will train OR nurses. The Med/Surg experience is always preferred but not required. Most training is like a 6mth orientation, not a program. Weather it is good or not depends on the person/preceptor and what they expected from it.

[AmyLiz]

Here in southwestern Ohio there are several hospitals that have OR training programs. A couple in Cincinnati & a couple in Dayton that I know of are really good. I am in an internship right now & have been really happy with it.

[blacksea pebble]

Thank you guys!
I really appreciate your input.
Six months orientation sounds good. I also completely agree that preceptor can make you or break you.
Have a great night!

[openheartmary]

You might also just ask your Director of OR about the med/surg requirement. Explain your desire, determination and willingness to learn along with your L/D experience.
It's been my experience that job postings with qualifications are what they "prefer". Example AD vs BSN.
At my midstates facility, OR experience is valued over med/surg experience. They would prefer to hire new grads than someone from med/surg. Good luck!

[blacksea pebble]

Yes,
I really need to call OR head nurse and see what she says. I talked to her when still in school and she said that even though they were very short, she still did not hire new grads.

[beachrnaz]

Just wanted to let you know that I too always wanted to do OR. I was in L&D for 14 years and applied for various programs throughout the years and had the same reaction. No one wanted to hire me without the M/S experience. So then I got creative. A Preop position came open and I applied and got it. Your IV skills from L&D will be greatly appreciated in Preop. The director over Preop is the same over the OR. I told her from the beginning the OR was where I wanted to be. After a year in Preop she transferred me to the OR and I am currently doing my 6 month orientation and loving every minute of it. Our program also has 5 new grads in it. A year in Preop beats a year in M/S. Another plus was that in Preop I was working with the Surgeons and Nurses from the OR so when I transferred they all already knew me. I am transitioning better than the other orientees because of that.
Lots of Luck to you

[amers573]

I have wanted to be an OR nurse also and loved my clinical exp. This a my passiona and goal. I am looking for an OR new nurse position with preceptor/orientation in MD, VA or DC.

AP

[amers573]

That is great. I love to hear stories like this. I hope to find something like that/preop. I will keep looking for hospitals or out patient facilities that accept new nurses. Thanks for your input