ICU to OR

Specialties Operating Room

Published

I have a question for circulators. I am a new grad and have been in ICU for almost a year. I'm trying to find my niche in nursing but I have discovered that I don't like bedside. Of course that takes out a major part of nursing so I'm not sure where I would like. I've thought about OR. I've been to several surgeries with a few of my patients and liked the atmosphere but of course I didn't really see much of what a circulator does. I'm trying to setup a time where I can shadow a circulator. My question is will one year of ICU help me to land an OR job and do you feel that you are pigeonholed when you get into OR? I know OR will come with another set of problems like call and jerk surgeons but I'm just trying to explore my options.

Thanks in advance!

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Specializes in ICU.

I am in the same boat as you! Except I only have 8 months of experience. I will be following to this thread.

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Just curious melosa08...why do you not like bedside? I sometimes wonder if it's just me because I can't speak candidly with anyone at work :)

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Specializes in ICU.

I don't like ICU bedside, but I'm okay with floor bedside nursing with my limited experience.

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I very recently went from the ICU bedside to the OR. Love it so far. My position is fairly unique however as I have a background in CTICU and now work exclusively for a pediatric CT service in the OR along with their bedside procedures (PDA clips, ECMO placement/removal, stern all closures/opening, etc.). Completely different type of nursing than bedside. As a circulator I help set the room up, prep count sheets and charting material, settle the patient when they come in, assist anesthesia with their line placements, position and prep the patient, do the timeouts, get additional supplies through the case, page services as needed, handle phone calls, then place dressings, get the patient out of the room and finalize paperwork. I'll be learning to scrub over the next few months.

If you have any specific questions let me know

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Specializes in Operating room..

I hated bed side nursing! LOVE the OR! Love everything about it. Great for those with ADD.

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Specializes in ICU.

How long (in months or years) did it take for you guys to like/love OR nursing?

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Specializes in Operating room..

I always wanted to work OR but it took at least 6 months before I didn't want to quit everyday.

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Specializes in Operating Room.

With everything else equal, one year ICU experience should definitely help you get into the OR. It just depends on who you are up against and what kind of applicants the OR is looking for. I had 1.5 years of tele experience and a BSN. I got an interview over a charge nurse with 4+ years of med/surg experience and a ADN.

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I've worked in the OR for about 1.5 years. If you don't like bedside nursing you will love the OR! I'm actually in the opposite situation as you! I want to leave the OR and go to the ICU which is probably much harder. You should have no problem getting into the OR especially if you are transferring within the same hospital. Good luck!

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I was an ICU nurse and an ER nurse before I entered an OR nurses training program. I absolutely loved the OR and worked with the dedicated open heart team. We were like a family and are still in contact after years of being together day after day. We have experienced births, weddings,divorces, deaths and all in between and are there for each other. I highly recommend it.

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Specializes in ICU.

Did you guys all I have a year of experience before transferring to OR?

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