Airforce operating room nurse wants to transition to ccu how?

SandraCVRN · Dec 10, 2011

I think it's just a matter of having something available. I just left the OR to go to a cardiac IMC.

I did have a couple years of floor experience before going to the OR. Also, try to get on a heart team (if they have any) that way you know the staff from the CICU. Good luck in the Air Force!!!

allnurses Guide · Dec 10, 2011

I am an operating Room nurse in a small community hospital. I am considering joining the Airforce, my recruiter told me the best chance ill have will be to go in as an O.R. nurse. The operating room is all the expeirence I have as a nurse. I am fine with joining as an O.R. nurse but I eventually want to change to the CCU or ICU. How hard is it to transition from an O.R. nurse to an CCU nurse and how long can it take? Can I recieve training to transition?

The AF has a 12 month critical care training program that will allow you to goto the ICU after training. You would be eligible to apply for the training at the summer following your second year on base.

thompsonmr1 · Dec 10, 2011

Thanks for your advise. My ultimate goal is to become a CRNA or flight nurse do you have any advise on how best to make these transitions.

allnurses Guide · Dec 10, 2011

Thanks for your advise. My ultimate goal is to become a CRNA or flight nurse do you have any advise on how best to make these transitions.

After you get critical care experience and enough time on station you can apply for nurse anesthesia school in the AF. Flight nursing is available I think after 3 years time on station. They are both totally different career paths, and being a flight nurse will not give you the critical care experience that you need to apply to nurse anesthesia school.