Advice please! Med-Sug or OR training

[Summer131]

Hello everyone!

I was hoping I could get some insight/advice... I was working on a med/surg unit on a hospital and had to leave due to family issues. Now, 6 months later, I asked the unit manager if she would rehire me and she was nice enough to offer me the job back. My dilemma is that I had also applied to another facility to a periop 101 program, as my dream job is to be an OR nurse. I did receive the offer for the periop 101 training; however, I had already signed the offer letter and done the physical for my previous job. Now I am torn between my dream job and my previous job.

My question is, will I burn the bridge with the previous employer and manager where I already did all the paperwork if I I decided to go with the periop 101 job?

Should I be honest and let the manager know my dilemma?

Thank you so much.

[Davey Do]

1 hour ago, Summer131 said:

I was hoping I could get some insight/advice... my dream job is to be an OR nurse

Having worked both med/surg and OR, me myself and I would go for the OR job.

Live your dream, Summer!

[speedynurse, ADN, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

On 11/23/2020 at 6:12 PM, Summer131 said:

Hello everyone!

I was hoping I could get some insight/advice... I was working on a med/surg unit on a hospital and had to leave due to family issues. Now, 6 months later, I asked the unit manager if she would rehire me and she was nice enough to offer me the job back. My dilemma is that I had also applied to another facility to a periop. 101 program, as my dream job is to be an OR nurse. I did receive the offer for the periop 101 training; however, I had already signed the offer letter and done the physical for my previous job. Now I am torn between my dream job and my previous job. My question is, will I burn the bridge with the previous employer and manager where I already did all the paperwork if I I decided to go with the periop 101 job? Should I be honest and let the manager know my dilemma? Thank you so much.

It *may* burn bridges but sometimes you also have to think about what’s best for you....I haven’t done OR nursing but I will speak for just the general surgical nursing team (pre-op, OR, post-op).....it’s so much more laidback and often just such a better side of nursing. Also....at least in my area, med surg nurses are a dime a dozen(ex....there are ALWAYS med surg jobs open because of the high turnover rates) whereas OR or other types of surgical nursing are hard to get into because of lower turnover rates. 

[Sour Lemon]

3 hours ago, Summer131 said:

Hello everyone!

I was hoping I could get some insight/advice... I was working on a med/surg unit on a hospital and had to leave due to family issues. Now, 6 months later, I asked the unit manager if she would rehire me and she was nice enough to offer me the job back. My dilemma is that I had also applied to another facility to a periop. 101 program, as my dream job is to be an OR nurse. I did receive the offer for the periop 101 training; however, I had already signed the offer letter and done the physical for my previous job. Now I am torn between my dream job and my previous job. My question is, will I burn the bridge with the previous employer and manager where I already did all the paperwork if I I decided to go with the periop 101 job? Should I be honest and let the manager know my dilemma? Thank you so much.

 

I don't think that would be dramatic enough to burn a bridge, but you'll probably come across as a bit of a flake for quitting the same job two times. I would take the "dream" job, but keep your resignation simple and only offer details if they ask.

And stop applying for that job. If this new job doesn't work out for some reason, think of an option C.

Congratulations, by the way ?

[Summer131]

Thank you all so much for the advice/insight! 

[Spiker, ASN, RN, EMT-P]

Hi!  When I was in college, (late 70's) we had 6 weeks of OR clinical - scrubbing & circulating!  I knew that was what I wanted to do!  Unfortunately, getting into the OR as a grad nurse was not done in the hospital I applied at.  I did get full-time evenings on the Surgical floor (before Ambulatory surgery was introduced, everyone was on the surgical floor pre- & post-op).  I at least got to know the surgeons in the 5 years I worked the floor!  I finally got into the OR, full-time evenings, & eventually became 3-11 charge nurse.  

Having spent all those years on the floor, gave me a lot of perspective as to effects of surgery on patients.  It was fascinating to actually be in the OR, seeing the "workings" of the human body.  My organizational & prioritizing skills had been finely honed after 5 years, & were a great help in the OR.  If you can't get right into an OR, fear not!  You will be learning many skills to bring with you!  It makes you more marketable that way, having experience, than another fresh GN.  Good Luck!