Why do some discourage me to go into OR?

Specialties Operating Room

Published

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. confused.gif

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. frown.gif

Many newly graduated nurses from my University have gotten specialty jobs directly out of college, and feel that I can pursue OR right away. smile.gif

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

Burpee cool.gif

justanurse

125 Posts

I say, GO FOR IT!!!! Apply for that dream job. The worst that can happen is that you won't get it. My sister graduated nursing school last year and she got a OR job right out of school with no problems. She loves it. Your experience will be a big plus.

Good luck!!!!!

Mobsy

3 Posts

Hi,

I have been in the OR for 16 years and now I am at a point where I will discourage anyone, in particular a new Grad.

The OR is a eat or be eaten world and most of the time a very stressfull and time constraint enviorment.

Not too much positive about it!!

Please get some good ones in a different dept. first!!!

Love

Mobsy

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Mobsy

vleecnor

2 Posts

Hi,

I understand your dilemmna, and I'm here to give you a word of encouragement. I went into the O.R. straight out of an ADN program, and cried after work every day for the first 4 months. Even wanted to transfer to an ICU - they wouldn't let me. Now 2 years later, I am the new neurosurgical coordinator. I love the OR, glad I never left. Have no consideration of ever leaving.

O.R. nursing is tough, but bearable. If it's really what you want to do, by all means do it!!! Find a hospital in your area with an internship and apply. With your experience, you should be a shoe-in. Good luck and God bless,

Veronikia

Linda J

6 Posts

I am a new nurse with 9 months of OR experience...I went to the OR straight out of an ADN program and I love what I do. As previously stated it is a challenging area to work in but what area of NURSING isn't. Go for what you love...the challenges will work themselves out. And one GREAT thing about nursing is if you don't like your current specialty area you can always go to another area of nursing. GO FOR IT! I followed my heart and it hasn't failed me yet...and I've not shedded one tear. Hope this helps.

NurseRachet

53 Posts

I graduated on Sunday from nursing school and started in the OR on Monday - 29 years ago. I loved it from the time I rotated through as a student. It isn't for everyone, but one of things that it taught me was how to get along with tempermental doctor's and how to be organized. It also taught me how to be a caring person for the patient on the table for the 10 minutes prior to them going to sleep. I am a real patient advocate, and provided privacy for the patient at all times. I have seen surgeons "eat up new nurses" with them leaving the OR in less than a month. Just ignore them, but stand your ground. They really do test new staff, sometimes to the limit. Good luck.

memaph

2 Posts

Originally posted by Mobsy:

Hi,

I have been in the OR for 16 years and now I am at a point where I will discourage anyone, in particular a new Grad.

The OR is a eat or be eaten world and most of the time a very stressfull and time constraint enviorment.

Not too much positive about it!!

Please get some good ones in a different dept. first!!!

Love

Mobsy

Mosby please get out of the OR if this is how you feel. We need young innovative nurses in the OR with new ideas.

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Banditsmom

3 Posts

You go girl...loving the OR is half the battle!!! There is a shortage of OR nurses right now and if someone is willing to train you right out of school...go for it. The worst that can happen is you transfer out of the department. I've worked in OR since I graduated and that was many moons ago!!! I used to joke that I wasn't a "real nurse"...I was wrong! Good luck!

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. confused.gif

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. frown.gif

Many newly graduated nurses from my University have gotten specialty jobs directly out of college, and feel that I can pursue OR right away. smile.gif

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

Burpee cool.gif

TravelingTexan

10 Posts

As a traveling nurse who enters a new OR every few months, even though I am experienced, I am given the "newbie" treatment. Your peers in the OR will want to test you. They will want to know what you are made of... whether or not they can count on you when things get hairy. Yes, it can be tough, but if it's what you want, don't let anyone stop you.

I wouldn't trade this job for anything else in the world (most days, heh).

shodobe

1,260 Posts

Specializes in O.R., ED, M/S.

The one thing you have going for you is the 350 hours of actual OR experience. Also your enthusiasm! I have been in the OR for 24 years and would not do anything else. Yes there are days you just want to scream out, "I JUST HATE THIS!!!! But most days you just want to strangle the surgeon. This is normal. Like other posters, with exception of one negative attitude, just stand your ground and hopefully you won't run into the click gang. When I first started there were two nurses who did their darndest to get rid of me because I wouldn't go into the Cysto room and smooch with them like the previous guy. Well I'm married and I asked my wife if I could so I could keep my job but she said NO! and I would have to find a better way. I did and I am still at it. Go for it and hang in there no matter what is thrown at you.

motherhenjjs

6 Posts

Mobsy

You need to find a new specailty if this is how you feel. Nurses like you are what chase the new ones away from the specialty. WHY are you still in the OR if you hate it?

Motherhenjjs

Originally posted by Mobsy:

Hi,

I have been in the OR for 16 years and now I am at a point where I will discourage anyone, in particular a new Grad.

The OR is a eat or be eaten world and most of the time a very stressfull and time constraint enviorment.

Not too much positive about it!!

Please get some good ones in a different dept. first!!!

Love

Mobsy

kewlnurse

427 Posts

I think it depends on what part of the country you are in.Where i am (Hell) you have to be in the system for about a billion years becasue all jobs are posted on a bid board as per union contract and nobody leaves teh icu's or the or untill they retire or die, but thats here. Personally i don't really listen to what other people tell me, if i did, i wouldn't be married, a nurse, have children when i did, the list goes on, if you want it go for it

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