Baptist Beaches Jacksonville Florida

[SweetSouthernLove, ASN, BSN]

Hey All,

I am currently a FSCJ ADN nursing student. I did my first OR rotation in my Med-Surg course and it just reaffirmed my love for the entire environment of the operating room. I love watching surgery and I find it fascinating how the nurse maintains the environment of the OR.

I would also love to one day learn how to be a scrub nurse. I am currently in Jacksonville, FL and I found that I really like orthopedic cases (I find the manipulation and the procedure itself interesting how they can take something completely broken and make it normal again with man-made materials).

Is there anything I can do to make my transition to the OR as a student to a RN easier? Any classes? Things I could be doing? This is my calling and I want to be a CRNA eventually but baby steps for now :)

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

First thing that comes to mind: You are aware that OR experience won't count as the required critical care experience for CRNA school, right? That's going to require ICU experience, generally at least 1 year but some programs require 2 years.

As far as classes, there are some schools that offer a periop course, typically AORN's Periop101. However, I really don't see much benefit to taking such courses- it is very difficult to apply the information without the opportunity of hands on experience. Sure, you can sit and do the Periop101 computer modules, but depending on how long it can take to find a job, will that information be retained? I would instead be on the lookout for facilities that either offer Periop101 as their orientation or provide a long, structured orientation program/residency for nurses new to the OR. This will combine the classroom portion with hands on experience.

As far as things you could be doing, I recommend joining AORN- they offer a reduced student rate. Attending meetings will allow you to network with current OR nurses and managers. Sometimes it's more about who you know than what you know that helps get that first job.

Although patient care technicians typically have a very restricted role in the OR (helping with setting up and cleaning rooms, helping with positioning, patient transports) with very little actual patient care, having such a job can allow you to establish a workplace relationship that would facilitate career advancement. I work with a nurse who was once a PCT and 2 or 3 surgical techs who were once PCTs.