What is the best way for a new grad to get into the OR

Specialties Operating Room

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I am taking my prerequisites for Nursing and although I haven't even gone through Clinicals yet, I'm always thinking about what area I would be best at working in. I've investigated many of the different specialty areas in Nursing and the one that seems to interest me the most is OR. I have heard about some OR residencies for new grads, but other than that, I don't know how a new grad would be able to get hired into the OR. Is it possible? Or would I have to have some experience in another area before trying to get into the OR?

If so, what area is best for me to start in? Something like PACU, pre-op, post-op?

Thanks

:redpinkhe

Hi, I dont know much about this, but I can't believe no one answered..

I'm in the same position as you- just starting my pre-reqs for nursing school & I also want my specialty in the OR.

I've heard the best places to start are the ER & Critical Care (PACU/ICU, etc.) They usually require a certain amount of time experience in those setting before you are hired into an actual surgical RN position.

Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

It's possible for new grads to start in the OR- I did six years ago. Some hospitals have a formal residency program, others do their own form of orientation that may not be quite as structured.

Tips for finding a new grad position in the OR:

-look into working as an aide in an OR. There may not be much patient care (think helping with cleaning rooms), but it would allow you to establish a reputation with a potential employer.

-Join AORN as a student (reduced membership dues) and take advantage of the opportunity to network.

-if possible, consider doing a senior capstone/practicum/whatever your school calls it in either the OR itself or another department within the perioperative setting. Again, this allows you to network.

However, with the economy the way it is, nursing jobs (including OR) are not easy to come by. You may not be able to start your career in the OR. You may need to take a position elsewhere in the hospital, but this will at least allow you to have access to internal job listings.

I'm not sure where the previous poster heard that experience in ER/ICU/PACU is required for a position in the OR. All of the places I applied to except one required zero experience. The other required one year of med/surg for every nurse before they were allowed to specialize in anything. Quite honestly, the OR is it's own animal- while there are some skills that will transfer from other specialties in nursing, there is a reason a good orientation program lasts for several months: there is a lot to learn. It also takes at least a year, if not more, before you feel comfortable in the OR.

Hello! I am a new grad RN in New York, and I just got a job in the OR. A lot of my fellow nursing students are having a hard time getting an interview, but my experience as a surgical assistant in an oral surgeon's office caught the talent recruiter's eye. If you are definitely interested in being an OR nurse, you should try to get some type of experience, even if it is just working in a surgical office.

Hi! I too am a new grad RN (took the NCLEX on November 1st), and just got a job in an orthopedic OR in Seattle. I applied to about ten other RN positions in med-surg-type areas, but almost all of them wanted at least two years of experience. I've always wanted to work in an OR, but never even thought it would be possible right out of school. I applied on a whim, not expecting to even be considered. However, they said that while there is a "very steep learning curve" in the OR, they have hired new grads before. I got the job, and I start tomorrow!

Hello,

I am doing my nursing pre req's for an accelerated BSN. I also want to work in the OR so I am currently enrolled in a Surgical Technologist program. I absolutely love it! It gives you the skills you need to become a member of the surgical team in less than 1 year. I plan to finish my nursing degree once I finish and get a position in the OR. Just a thought for you to consider to get an incredible amount of knowledge about the OR while planning to become a nurse. Hope this helps!

There is an OR class. You can find where is offer: http://www.aorn.org/applications/coursedirectorylisting/coursedirectorylisting.asp

Hope this help.

Definitely join AORN as a student member (and participate heavily), it lets potential employers know that you're really interested in perioperative nursing--which is one of the biggest things they look for when hiring, that you're reallllly passionate about OR nursing. This will also help you network with OR nurses, maybe you can find an opportunity to shadow a circulator in your area.

If your nursing school doesn't offer a senior capstone/clinical internship in the OR, they will at least provide chances for you to observe in the OR for a day or two each semester. Ask your instructor/clinical coordinator if its possible to observe extra days.

Definitely agree with the above advice to get a job during nursing school, if you can manage to swing one in a surgical area then that is BIG leg up above other folks, but if you can't, still try to get a healthcare related job in any area. Check out which hospitals offer the AORN periop 101 class, try to get ANY job at one of those facilities because it is likely that they will offer an OR internship. As long as you have your foot in the door at that hospital, you have an improved chance at getting one of those internships once its time to apply!

Its definitely possible, I'm set to graduate in december and I just got a GN internship in the OR!

It seems like thats something you really want, you'll make it happen!

Specializes in Perioperative and Surgical Nursing.
It's possible for new grads to start in the OR- I did six years ago. Some hospitals have a formal residency program, others do their own form of orientation that may not be quite as structured.

Tips for finding a new grad position in the OR:

-look into working as an aide in an OR. There may not be much patient care (think helping with cleaning rooms), but it would allow you to establish a reputation with a potential employer.

-Join AORN as a student (reduced membership dues) and take advantage of the opportunity to network.

-if possible, consider doing a senior capstone/practicum/whatever your school calls it in either the OR itself or another department within the perioperative setting. Again, this allows you to network.

Yep yep...exactly how I got the theatre position at the hospital. My last year of nursing I did my transition/senior capstone in the operating theatre of a relatively small, but exceptional private hospital in NZ, knowing that they seldom hire new graduates in that hospital, period. When my list for the day was done, I would help out in PACU and DSU as it was a very closely-knit hospital. At the end my transition, everyone knew me, and I guess my desire to help out and learn perioperative nursing landed me a position. They probably thought I was really keen, and I was.:) They offered me a New Grad Position, the first time they have ever done so!

i am also doing pre reqs and i really am interested in OR as well thanks for the post..i have a few friends in the field that i hope will help when get closer to graduating but i think would be a great place to work from what i have researched and my friends have told me..good luck to you

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