additional certifications?

[NurseRNFinally]

Hello to all: I graduated with my RN in December of '13 and have worked in long term care since then. I have recently accepted a position at our local hospital as a surgical nurse. I am extremely happy and grateful for this. I am wondering if anyone has suggestions on what specific certifications are mandatory in this type of role. I start in a month and would like to have a good start before I begin. This will show my commitment and eagerness. I know I can ask my new employer but thought I would show self motivation. I live in Iowa.

I would like to start my new job sooner,2 wks, but my present employer is asking for 4 wks notification. Is this the norm for most supervisory roles. I am the charge nurse.

[WhoDatWhoDare, BSN, RN]

Did they indicate to you what their orientation consists of?

For my hospital, they enrolled me in Peri-Op 101 along with the on the job training in the OR that I will be in for approx. 6 months. I am a circulating nurse. As far as specific certifications that are mandatory for the role, I can only think that they will require you to have BCLS, but my hospital wants us to have ACLS or PALS, but they send us to that on their dime.

After 2 years in the OR (or the required number of hours plus any other requirements) you can apply and test for CNOR certification.

Good luck and congrats.

[NurseRNFinally]

Thanks for the reply. I hadn't realized the hospital may pay for the needed certifications. By the way Calvin and Hobbes is by far my all time favorite comic. My son even has a floppy old stuffed dog he has named Hobbes after reading my old C&H books.

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

Mandatory certifications are typically going to be BLS and an RN license. Some facilities may require ACLS (mine does so only for cardiac OR nurses and anesthesia providers) but will schedule you to attend the class as part of your orientation or shortly after (and pay for it). PALS is only required for anesthesia providers as we only do a small number of pediatric cases (use it or lose it- same rationale for limiting ACLS to cardiac and anesthesia).

The specialty certification for OR nurses is the CNOR credential. The requirements are an unrestricted RN license, 2 years and 2,400 hours of clinical experience in the perioperative setting (minimum of 1,200 in the OR itself; this would allow someone who floats between preop/OR/PACU or who works in management or education to potentially become certified), and currently be employed in perioperative nursing. More info about the CNOR certification can be found here: CNOR Certification and Recertification

[target98765]

Join your local AORN chapter and go to meetings. Also, see if there are any colleges that would teach a perioperative nursing course, these courses are often found at your local community college. My facility requires, BLS, ACLS and PALS for all OR nurses. CNOR is higly encouraged as is RN C as well as Certified peds nurse. Also the TNCC for trauma nursing. They can shoot for these goals, but no one is "mandated" to become certified, but you will see a lower raise if you choose not to do these things at my hospital.