New Grad Looking to get into the OR

Specialties Operating Room

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Hey everyone! I'm a new grad looking to get into the OR right away and was wondering if you had any tips. I understand it is difficult as a new grad to get into this speciality right off the bat, but I know it's my true passion and will do anything to get in. Besides residencies and OR training programs, are there any other ways to get in? I heard maybe shooting for pre or post op for a year or two could be a loop hole in to the OR, but would love to hear any recommendations.

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Hi,

I have been in the operating room since 2001. The best way to become a good Circulator/Scrub Nurse is to sign up for a Nurse Residency program. Pre-op/post-op will help you with knowing "HOW' a patient arrives to the OR and leaves,but you need to be in the OR to really learn. No other specialty is like the OR. You must have hands on training in a surgical room. Good Luck! if this is your calling than please pursue it. We are always short handed and need you desperately.

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I appreciate the response. I agree that residencies would provide the best learning and training experience, so I will continue looking for those. I'm going to try and get into a residency, but am also looking at new grad positions in the OR that offer 6 months or more of training where you follow a preceptor and learn on the job. What are your thoughts on these lengthy training positions for new grads in the OR (as an alternative to a residency program)?

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Check your local community college and see if they have any periop 101 classes. I'm in an OR internship program and we're following the Periop 101 curriculum and take the AORN final exam after 6 months. Only difference is that we don't pay for the classes.

When I was shadowing, I had a chance to speak to the OR clinical educator in a level 1 trauma center hospital in Philadelphia and she would regularly call the local community colleges to set up clinicals for their periop 101 classes and would see it as a 'soft' interview. After you finish that class, you're technically an 'experienced' OR nurse.

So maybe that's an option??

I shadowed at 2 hospitals and I think I would have been offered a job easily if I applied for their residency program. Try that too! That way it shows initiative that you're very interested in the career.

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
When I was shadowing, I had a chance to speak to the OR clinical educator in a level 1 trauma center hospital in Philadelphia and she would regularly call the local community colleges to set up clinicals for their periop 101 classes and would see it as a 'soft' interview. After you finish that class, you're technically an 'experienced' OR nurse.

Perhaps in the opinion of that particular educator. However, there is a huge difference between being in clinicals and actually working as a nurse. If I were in a hiring role, there is no way I'd consider someone who completed a Periop101 course as experienced. Extra education, yes. Experience, absolutely not. And I would not shell out my own money for a course when employers need to provide adequate orientation. The same things that are learned in the course will also be learned in orientation.

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Just putting it out there that I'm in this same boat: graduating in December and hoping to find an OR residency program.

If any happens to know that their hospital has an OR residency, AND that they accept ADN grads, feel free to send me a PM. I may be willing to move if needed.

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