Applying for Surgical PA jobs as an FNP?

nomadcrna, DNP, CRNA, NP · Jun 15, 2013

There are FNPs working with a neurosurgeon and ortho surgeon here in Montana. You have scrub experience? The rest is easy. Also depends on what state you are in. Shame but true.

kguill975, MSN, APRN, NP · Jun 15, 2013

Hi there,
I'm an experienced OR nurse who has just graduated from a FNP program. I'm little unsure of what I want to do when I grow up. Part of me would love to stay in the OR environment and learn to first assist. Problem is as you all know, mostly PA's are hired for these types of jobs and not NPs. Considering my experience, does it make sense for me to apply to these jobs? Have any of you applied for PA jobs and gotten a response? Thanks..

I'm an ACNP working as a Surgical NP in minimally invasive general/bariatric surgery. If you don't live in Texas, it's relatively easy to get started first assisting. Use your connections as a OR nurse, and find a surgeon that will take you on. If you don't have a lot of connections, you could send out CVs to all of the surgeons in your preferred specialty. That was how I got started, a friend of a friend, and so on. It's a lot of fun! Good Luck!

allnurses Guide · Jun 15, 2013

I have several colleagues that work in surgery with a FNP. I will say that most of them are about 60% clinic and 40% ward/OR.

BlueDevil,DNP, DNP, RN · Jun 16, 2013

I know many also. With your background, I don't think you will have any problem at all creating your own opportunities.

Meant2be · Jun 17, 2013

Hi,

I got hired in Ortho Surgery as a first assist with my FNP background with no OR experience. But BostonFNP is right, I first got hired to work at Ortho Clinic so I spend 4/5 days at Clinic, preoping patients for surgery and then seeing postops. First assisting is about 30-40%.

BostonRN13 · Jun 17, 2013

I expect part of it to be clinic time and thats okay. I'd think it would be a better learning experience for me anyways, as a new grad, putting the whole treatment picture together..

automotiveRN67 · Jun 17, 2013

We have a few NP's working in the surgical first position. Its a valuable place to be, because you can still preop and postop patients, make rounds, and do wound checks in the office, in addition to scrub, closing, and all the other little things that help surgeons keep moving.

16semesters · Jun 17, 2013

My hospital hires NP's for the type of role you are describing.

nursetim, NP · Jun 25, 2013

An NP I know with no OR experience got hired by a gen surg group and she tells me it is mostly OJT for her. She will become FA on the groups dime. So it can be done. The key is persistence.