Advice from circulating nurses...

justjenny · Jul 31, 2008

I would recommend observing in the OR for at least one day. Sometimes this is possible while still in school - talk with an instructor.

There is at least one textbook that is very helpful - but I wouldn't recommend it if you aren't actually starting a job in the OR.

Some people go straight to the OR from school....my personal opinion is that you REALLY should "work the floors" for at least one year before going to the OR. It is not a requirement, but I personally think it makes for a better and "well rounded" RN...and of course there are probably tons of people who disagree with me...

Just my :twocents:

Good luck

Jenny

JLKNurse · Aug 1, 2008

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GadgetRN71, ASN, RN · Aug 1, 2008

I will be graduating soon and would like to work in the OR. I want to become a circulating nurse. Is there anything I can do to prepare for becoming one? I don't know what kinds of books in particular could be helpful to read. If anyone has any advice on becoming a circulating nurse it would be really great!:wink2:

Ask to shadow a circulator for a day or two and if being an OR nurse is what you want, go for it right out of school. In my experience, the new grads often do better because they have no bad habits to unlearn. I've seen this time and time again.

And if you don't like it , you can always go to another specialty. I knew an OR nurse that wanted to do ER after 20 years in the OR, and she was hired with no difficulty. Funny though, I can count on 1 hand the nurses that hated the OR and wanted to leave, usually, we're here for life!

Rezidentura · Aug 2, 2008

The truth is there are certain skills you'll learn on the floor that you'll probably not learn in the O.R. On the other hand if you want to make O.R. a career, there are very little you can take from the floor and translate to the O.R.

Find yourself an Internship. We have a 6 month at my hospital. It's quite a good way to break into the O.R.

glb1960 · Aug 2, 2008

You could try the A.O R.N. magazines. They can get a little item specific, but they provide a lot of very good info. I've been a circulating nurse for just 7 months now, still learning the details but completely loving it.

Good luck, Gary

texasbsn · Aug 7, 2008

I am a new grad who will start next week on a med/surg floor.I am very interested in OR,but decided to do 1 year at least of Med/surg.I think it will provide me with good floor experience.

brittaH2O · Mar 5, 2009

I will graduate in May 2009 with a BSRN. The first day I set foot in the OR my junior year I knew that's where I wanted to work. So for my senior year I did my Leadership clinical with the OR manager, and for my senior capstone practicum I did another 72 hours in the CV OR. It has been a wonderful experience. I have my fingers crossed that they'll offer me a job in the CV OR when I'm done!!!

beanal · Mar 30, 2009

Shadowing an experienced OR nurse for a day who loves to teach will be an invaluable experience and will allow you to better understand the perioperative role. If you are able to observe just be sure you are paired with a nurse who enjoys teaching as they are some periop. nurses who do not like to teach. These types of nurses can actually be detrimental to your intraoperative experience IMHO.