Should I take these online classes to make my resume to the OR stand out?

Specialties Operating Room

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I'm a new grad trying to get a job in the OR, and I'm doing whatever I can to make my resume stand out. I've gotten the obvious ACLS (and working on my PALS), and I'm considering taking online self study classes from Flexed.com. The two classes that I think are relevant to OR nursing are "Ramsay Scale, Propofol, Propofol Infusion Syndrome" and "Anesthesia Awareness In the Surgical Patient."

Is accreditation of these two classes worth putting on my resume? They're each one credit apiece (online classes on Flexed.com range from 1-15 credits) and don't cost a lot. I'm afraid they may look like fluff to a recruiter.

Your thoughts? Also, do you recommend any other classes I should take on Flexed.com or otherwise?

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Hi there!

Well, the courses that you are taking certainly will benefit your career in the long run. I am a new grad (last month),and recently accepted a position into an operating room fellowship. I had a high gpa, member of sigma theta tau, and joined the AORN as a student member. I honestly don't think any of that mattered as I am sure other candidates could say the same things. I just showed them that I had a passion and enthusiasm for the OR and that my clinical and personal strengths seemed to coincide with this specialty. I only applied for three positions out of school, and two were for the OR. The organization that accepted me was only going to take 6-8 candidates. It was very competitive and I am very blessed to have gotten in.

I would just apply for what you want and follow up consistently. That was the advice given to me on this forum. It worked for me, and now I am passing it on to you. Most residencies/fellowships don't expect you have experience anyway as a new grad.

Hope this helps! Good luck to you.:)

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Congrats! I'm sure both your resume and your enthusiasm got you in. :) My nursing school did not offer an OR preceptorship, so I'm going to have to do more to prove myself. I have submitted an essay with my resume and cover letter explaining that though my nursing school did not offer OR, I educated myself about surgery in my own time, which made me all the more interested and enthusiastic about working in that unit.

Thanks for your advice and congrats again!

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