Why do some discourage me to go into OR?

mud · Mar 11, 2001

you go girl!! The OR is a great place to be. It is very different from anywhere else. It takes a lot of guts to go without any experience. I did. It also takes a lot of gusto to tolerate some of the surgeons, gas passers, and co-workers. If you want to go, keep your head up, ask alot of questions, and really listen to what you are told by senior staff!!

abel · Mar 16, 2001

Go for it. Nothing ventured, nothing gained and all those sayings. Been in the OR l5 years after almost 5 years in a rough and tumble cardio-pulmonary area. There are days you won't know which end is up. There will be days when every doctor you meet up with will be a pain. Most days will be great and you will learn more every day. Don't let anyone deter you. Sounds like you have goals and the detrmination to go with it. Remember that doctor, anesthesia provider, fellow staff member that is cross right now will be the same one that will be the most help down the line. OR people take care of their own. I have never worked in an OR that the folks didn't bend over backwards to help each other out. Been traveling for a while now and the norm is great folks. Good luck and God bless.

Pam RN · Mar 17, 2001

I went into the OR after graduating with my BSN and had been discouraged like you to go to med/surg first. I found a hospital that hired new grads. Sure, it was tough at first, orientation is not a picnic, but I made it through. Now, 4 years later I'm in charge of a specialty. I do had thoughts occasionally that I would like to learn some other skills that pertain to other areas of nursing, but I really love the OR. It's facinating, isn't it? Where I work, we do hire new grads and so far they have worked out just great. Your only challenge will be to find the OR that will hire a new grad. You'll be fine after that. Good Luck!!

Rottie1 · Mar 17, 2001

Originally posted by SSUleader:
Hello-
I am a nursing student soon to be graduating in less that one month. I know what type of nursing I want to get into- OR!! I have 350 hours experience in the OR doing circulating and scrub nurse tasks.
I have been asking the advice of many people, mostly nurses, if it is advisable that I apply for jobs in the OR directly out of nursing.
This might rough, but many of the "Experienced" nurses feel that I have no chance of getting an OR job out of school, and that I have to start on a general floor "like they did" as one put it.
Many newly graduated nurses from my University have gotten specialty jobs directly out of college, and feel that I can pursue OR right away.

I would like to seek the advice of a few more people....

Burpee

Bailey · Mar 17, 2001

Hi...I've been a nurse for 2 and a half years and recently started an O.R course within the hospital I work at. To be eligible to get in, we had to have a minimum of 1 year med/surg experience. I don't want to discourage you at all, but I've found that the experience I have in ward nursing has been really helpful to me especially in terms of building my confidence and knowledge. Good luck to you with whatever you decide to do!!!

joannep · Apr 19, 2001

Hi, I went into the OR after 12 mths working in surgical ward. I stayed in the OR 15 years until last year. After doing so many organ procurements and transplants I decided I wanted to learn more about renal nursing. I have just completed a renal nursing course and am working in haemodialysis, but working agency in the OR during my days off and holidays. I am not sure if I want to stay in dialysis as I miss the OR. But dialysis is very interesting too. Nursing is a flexible career. Go for what you want now. Good luck.

Tasern · Apr 21, 2001

Originally posted by SSUleader:
Hello-
I am a nursing student soon to be graduating in less that one month. I know what type of nursing I want to get into- OR!! I have 350 hours experience in the OR doing circulating and scrub nurse tasks.
I have been asking the advice of many people, mostly nurses, if it is advisable that I apply for jobs in the OR directly out of nursing.
This might rough, but many of the "Experienced" nurses feel that I have no chance of getting an OR job out of school, and that I have to start on a general floor "like they did" as one put it.
Many newly graduated nurses from my University have gotten specialty jobs directly out of college, and feel that I can pursue OR right away.

I would like to seek the advice of a few more people....

Burpee

Hi,

I would just like to add a little input. My suggestion is that by going to a general floor for a period of time first, you would be able to see other areas of nursing. I started in Med/Surg first, then I went to SICU, and now I too am in OR. Nursing is one of the few careers where you can have such completely different jobs and still be a nurse. I would hate for you to miss the opportunity to be a different kind of nurse because you never allowed the opportunity to be presented. Try not to lock yourself into a certain keyhole and keep your options open.