Advice regarding internship in the OR

Specialties Operating Room

Published

i'm looking for some advice on what is the norm for internships in the or. this past week i snagged an or internship at a local community hospital. i am a relatively new graduate from 2010, so i'm not really up to par on what is normal for an internship. i was told the internship would last 6 months, would have 8 hour days, monday through friday, with no guarantee of hire after the completion. the internship is a new program for the particular hospital so they're working out the kinks as they go along. all of that is understandable but i was just a little concerned if most internship for that span of time is normally unpaid. working 8 hour days 5 days a week is comparable to full-time hours and during the interview it was highly encouraged for the applicants not to work/take off any days during that 6 month period for other work. i just might be naive to the whole process but i am finding it a little difficult to understand how to balance a 'full-time' internship, completing my bsn online, and not being able to work. thank you for any and all help or advice.

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all of that is understandable but i was just a little concerned if most internship for that span of time is normally unpaid. working 8 hour days 5 days a week is comparable to full-time hours and during the interview it was highly encouraged for the applicants not to work/take off any days during that 6 month period for other work.

i guess i'm unclear. are you saying that the internship you've been offered is unpaid? we have a 6 month or internship program, but it pays the same as all the other nursing positions in the hospital.

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Yes, sorry about the confusion, the internship I've been offered is unpaid and for 6months. I was just wondering if most internships in the or are unpaid.

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In my area you are paid for this sort of thing. Same as other RN staff. There's no way I could do it for free.

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Specializes in MS, ED.

We both graduated May 2010 and I can feel your frustration regarding jobs in this area, (I'm also in NNJ.) I work at the same hospital where I was employed as a tech; that being said, I'd really look for a paying opportunity, even if it means taking less pay or a 'lesser' opportunity. The hospital you mentioned is having fairly serious financial issues, and I'd worry about my future considering they are looking to suck up all of your time without the guarantee of a job (or even a stipend!). No wonder this is a new program for them - they just realized that they can land applicants without pay or promise of a job, yeesh.

If you want to be in the OR, specifically, I'd join the NNJ chapter of AORN and come to the meetings and network. It worked for me and I've learned so much!

JMO, of course. Best of luck no matter what you decide!

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we both graduated may 2010 and i can feel your frustration regarding jobs in this area, (i'm also in nnj.) i work at the same hospital where i was employed as a tech; that being said, i'd really look for a paying opportunity, even if it means taking less pay or a 'lesser' opportunity. the hospital you mentioned is having fairly serious financial issues, and i'd worry about my future considering they are looking to suck up all of your time without the guarantee of a job (or even a stipend!). no wonder this is a new program for them - they just realized that they can land applicants without pay or promise of a job, yeesh.

if you want to be in the or, specifically, i'd join the nnj chapter of aorn and come to the meetings and network. it worked for me and i've learned so much!

jmo, of course. best of luck no matter what you decide!

amarilla, thanks for the advice. before getting the internship i've been working per diem at a surgical center, and the pay has been great all things considered. i've just been working in the preop/pacu area, and i felt that this would be a good opportunity to break into the actual operating room. my biggest issue with the internship is the fact that it is unpaid, but i do not want to regret my decision for not going through with the internship...but its something i really to think about, and i have yet to fully accept the position. thanks again.

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Chellooo! I had 2 reply b/c I was in ur same position not 2 long ago... forced 2 decide between my PD position in a community health center (int med/pedi dept) & a FT unpaid OR internship (what seemed like the only chance I had to get into the OR). Let me back track a lil- after my almost year long job hunting nightmare, I took a position I knew I didn't want (desperadooo) & quickly began to realize I was tired of "paying my new grad dues"... so I went for it. (SN: the only reason I went 2 nursing school was 2 B an OR nurse) I did my research & a financial plan 2 budget out exactly what I needed to survive for those 4 months... it was not a good time, but I was lucky to have the support of my x-bf & a stash of $$$ I saved (after sacrificing many pairs of hott shoes & nutritious meals). I learned & saw a lot, but I was bummed I didn't get a job offer in the end (just my luck the facility was on a hiring freeze). The whole process was a struggle, but WELL WORTH IT (in my opinion)... only b/c (even after the 1st week) I finally started to "LIKE" being a nurse & I knew it was only b/c I was waking up @ the butt-crack of dawn to work for FREE, but doing something I "LOVED"... that feeling is priceless. Hope my 2 cents helps- good luck with everything!

Take care! Ru-B

PS- this month I'm starting orientation for a FT OR position

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Ru-B, thanks so much for the reply, it was extremely helpful. I wanted to get into nursing for the same reason. I hope that afterwards this will pan out. It's silly to say but financially I'll be Okay, I'm 21 and still live with my parents and they're willing to suck it up for six months to help me out. So hopefully it'll be a good situation. Congrats on your ft or job, that's wonderful!!

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I have an interview for an OR internship next week and was wondering if anyone could give me some advise of what to expect during the interview process? I took a job as a Psych nurse, but it's not my dream job. I'm really hoping a get the OR position because they are hard to get.

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I have an interview for an OR internship next week and was wondering if anyone could give me some advise of what to expect during the interview process? I took a job as a Psych nurse, but it's not my dream job. I'm really hoping a get the OR position because they are hard to get.

Hello Mustangmona, the interview that I went on for the OR postion was really general. The head of HR at the hospital asked basic questions like employement/education background and what experiences i've had that influenced my decision to go into the OR. The HR person who interviewed me also had an extensive OR background and understood where I was coming from as a relatively new graduate. The interview processs overall was relaxed.

hope that little bit helps :)

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Had my interview yesterday with the OR educator and the Nurse supervisor and I think it went pretty well. She was really excited with the fact that I spent more than 80 clinical hours in the OR during my last semester of nursing school. She only asked me two basic questions like if I every had a conflict with a nurse or someone else in the hospital and how did I handle it. She said they only have 4 spots available. She said she had an overwhelming response to the ad and that she would hope to make her final decision by the end of the month since the program does not start till the first week of July.

Wish me Luck because this is truly my dream job!!! :nurse:

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Specializes in OR.

Sounds like it went well for you. Be sure to follow up with a handwritten thank you note--that will likely set you apart from other applicants. An email thank you is ok, but the handwritten is something they can actually touch, won't vanish with the click of a mouse! Keep us posted :)

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