Advice for a new RN...

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I'm currently 3 weeks away from finishing up my last semester in nursing school and I have 2 jobs already lined up for when I graduate. One is on a busy med/surg floor and the other is as a OR nurse with a 3 month mentorship program. I want to be an OR/PACU nurse eventually, but am I jumping the gun by taking an OR nurse job first and not getting any med/surg experience?? Both are great opportunities for a new grad, but I just need advice from nurses who have been there and done that. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Float Pool, MICU, CTICU.

Take the OR job if you really want to be in the OR. I don't hear too many new grads being offer an OR position, so congrats! These opportunities come and go and you don't want to miss out! You do not have to start out in med/surg to be a successful nurse. If you have that self-determination and put your best effort in your studies, you can make it in any specialty you want!

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I generally recommend med/surg first just to get yourself grounded and comfortable with your basic nursing skills before taking a job in a specialty unit. That being said, if you want to work OR, take the job. It's not one offered to new grads on a regular basis and the manager obviously saw what she wants in you. With a 3 month mentoring program, I expect you will be comfortable when you are on your own. Congrats on such a great opportunity!

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Take the OR job if you really want to be in the OR. I don't hear too many new grads being offer an OR position, so congrats! These opportunities come and go and you don't want to miss out! You do not have to start out in med/surg to be a successful nurse. If you have that self-determination and put your best effort in your studies, you can make it in any specialty you want!
Yes I definitely don't want to miss out! Thanks for your input! :-)
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I generally recommend med/surg first just to get yourself grounded and comfortable with your basic nursing skills before taking a job in a specialty unit. That being said, if you want to work OR, take the job. It's not one offered to new grads on a regular basis and the manager obviously saw what she wants in you. With a 3 month mentoring program, I expect you will be comfortable when you are on your own. Congrats on such a great opportunity!
I know it's rare for it to be offered to new grads because we lack experience, but I'm determined to be great wherever i work! Thanks for your input :-)
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Ditto, if you know for sure you want OR and will never move to another area then go for it. However, if you want to switch to something else later you may have a more difficult time without the med-surg experience. Just had to argue the what-if point. But if I were offered the OR and that was what I wanted............go get it. Best wishes. I hope you love it.

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