RN vs. RPN in the OR

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Hello,

I will be graduating as an RN. Down the road I am interested in working in the OR. I am aware of the preoperative post RN programs in Toronto/Ontario and have read up on them.

However, I just noticed that the Centennial College RPN operating room course in full for 2017 AND 2018 intake already!! Am I missing something here? Are operating room nurses usually RPNs? Do hospitals choose RPN over RN for cost savings??

RPN Operating Room - 7945

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The OR programme for PNs is the same programme as the RNs (at least here in AB). The only difference between the two is the RNs do a short module on "leadership".

Both nurses are qualified to circulate and scrub. I believe standards require one RN to be present in the room.

Face it, the wages of two RNs or one RN and one ORT? I know what the budgets will go for.

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Specializes in NICU.

In Ontario, RPNs work as scrub techs in the OR. RNs work as circulating nurses or RN first assistants (extra course), RPNs don't circulate in Ontario...although I hear this is different in other provinces.

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In Ontario, RPNs work as scrub techs in the OR. RNs work as circulating nurses or RN first assistants (extra course), RPNs don't circulate in Ontario...although I hear this is different in other provinces.

Thank you! That is helpful to know. Do RNs ever work as scrub nurses? I am interested in scrubbing. thanks!

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