Advice on circulating RN course for new grad...

[JLKNurse]

Well I passed boards in March and have been searching for a job since. I have many interests including ER, trauma, cardiac and OR has been an area of interest since my day of observation in nursing school. I feel that a new grad should start on med/surg or tele and gain experience and then specialize. Although I am thinking about taking a two month course to train as a circulating nurse. It sounds really exciting. I talked to a circulating nurse and she said she had worked in a hospital for many years and applied to the OR but she never received a response. She took the same class I am interested in and before she finished it the hospital she had been working at hired her immediately. I would hope to have the same luck. I know I have no experience as an RN but I will have at least taken the class so they won't need to train me. Anyone out there that has been in this situation?? I would love to hear what all of you think! Should I wait on jobs opening up in the new year (everyone I talk to says jobs will be opening soon-but thats not a definte) or take the OR class?? Any advice?? Thanks!! : )

[TakeTwoAspirin, MSN, RN, APRN]

I don't want to dampen your enthusiasm, and I never discourage anyone from continuing to learn, but you are mistaken if you think that you won't need any training after completing a two-month course. I don't know what type of course this is so I can't comment on whether or not this is legitimate, but I do know that two months in an OR is a drop in the ocean, especially for someone who has no experience in the OR. In two months you will only learn the very basics. You will still need some training/orientation from your employer. Many, many hospital orientations for OR nurses are 6 months or longer (at least the good ones).

On the bright side, it may give you the edge in this difficult job market. If everyone else who is applying has no experience at all, and you have this course, then they might consider you more favorably.

If I were you, before spending any money on any courses, I would contact a few of the local HR departments, hiring managers, OR Managers, or Educators in the OR to see if they have heard of this course, and whether or not they value it when looking for future employees. Do your homework before spending any cash on this.

Good luck.

[JLKNurse]

Thanks for the advice. I will make some phone calls before I proceed with anything.