Are OR nurses in demand?

[mp86]

Hello everybody,

Are OR nurses in demand? The reason why I am asking is because every time when I look at job postings at hospitals or travel sites for nurses, OR nurses always seem to be in very high demand. Is it because the turn over rate in the OR is higher than in other specialties?

I also have read somewhere (can't remember where) that the average OR nurse's age in the USA is above 50. Would you say this is the case in your OR, since the average age of 50 seems pretty high to me?

Would you say it is pretty easy for an OR nurse to find a new job; especially, after you have a couple years of experience or even a CNOR cert.?

Thank you for your input.

[MereSanity]

It is just that it is such a specialized field. Not a lot of extra staff to go around. Plus high stress. And I know more under 50 than over in the OR. They say you lose your skills in the OR but I don't think that is true...you just develop different ones. OR nurses can float to the floor but floor nurses cannot float to the OR...just too specialized. And yes...good OR nurses are in demand but you may have to travel to get a job as they are spread out.

MereSanity BSN, RN, CNOR

[mp86]

MereSanity, do you think it matters if you hire a new grad in the OR or an experience floor nurse, since both need to start almost form scratch anyway?

[MereSanity]

Nope...doesn't matter. If you hiring a newbie, sure some experience is helpful but doesn't really matter.

[mp86]

Bump :)

[Future ScorpioRN]

It depends where you live for instance where I live OR is in big demand and will accept an adn which is what I hopefully plan on doing However not sure since things tend to change. However in another city such as Miami or in that area requires you to have a BSN. As far as age goes I've never heard of it mainly being 50 and over I've heard the opposite and that because it is so specialized a lot of people go in thinking it's a certain way while in school that when they actually do it they can't grasp everything going on. Most hospitals require 1-2 years experience plus ACLS, BLS, PALS, not sure where your located. It really depends on what they are looking for at that particular moment I think. I was told some places won't even consider you unless you have had some type of experience med surg or icu, also orientation depending on the hospital is 8-9 months. Good luck!