Becoming a (d)NP with only OR experience?

[mhy12784]

Ive been considering switching from my generic MSN to a DNP program. But my biggest worry is I never did bedside nursing.

I have no experience (at all) starting IVs, I very rarely give medication, hell the only medication I pretty much see regularly is local + ancef/vanco.

My assessments are very different from bedside assessments

Im a little worried about whether the move would be viable for me. I know many of the surgeons/anesthesiologist have NPs, but I have no idea the backgrounds.

Could I still be successful becoming an NP ? Or would going from OR > NP be a bizarre leap?

[earthsalt]

If you're not set on having to have a DNP at this point, there's always the post master's certificate option. Many schools (both online and brick and mortar) offer post master certificates in differing nurse practitioner specialties. Depending on your transcript, this process could take as little as three semesters and that's primarily due to the required clinical hours involved. This option could have you out quicker to possibly get in with the anesthesiologist that you mentioned.

As far as your concern about having only OR experience, I can't speak from personal experience. I can say that I had a classmate in my AGACNP program who had been a nurse for 5+ years (with all of her experience being in the OR) and she had a very hard time. She said that things just didn't seem to "click" for her like she did the rest of our class because she wasn't as familiar with different labs, patho and etc. She eventually dropped from the program to try and get some bedside experience.

You can take that with a grain of salt as everyone is different and learns differently. Just my (limited) experience with the subject.

Best of luck to you!

[PureLifeRN]

Hello! OR nurse here halfway through a FNP program. Worked Med-surg 2 years before coming to the OR where I have been the past 6 years. My FNP program is very well regarded in the community and last semester we had 5 people fail in Health Assessment; its a very difficult program. I have a 4.0, all A's so far. There are SOOOO many ways being an OR nurse will help you in NP school. I was in your shoes not too long ago, I was very hesitant in going back to school because everyone told me that I needed to be working on the floor because working in the OR wont teach you anything, please don't believe them! It's really a whole new ballgame with NP, a new role and new way of looking at patients. Working on the floor may help, but it hasn't made a bit of difference for me. (2 of the girls who failed last semester worked PCU and med-surg. Not married and no kids. I work in the OR AND have kids. It can be done!)

Plus when I get to be in a long case, I can whip out my notes and study at work

[mhy12784]

Hello! OR nurse here halfway through a FNP program. Worked Med-surg 2 years before coming to the OR where I have been the past 6 years. My FNP program is very well regarded in the community and last semester we had 5 people fail in Health Assessment; its a very difficult program. I have a 4.0, all A's so far. There are SOOOO many ways being an OR nurse will help you in NP school. I was in your shoes not too long ago, I was very hesitant in going back to school because everyone told me that I needed to be working on the floor because working in the OR wont teach you anything, please don't believe them! It's really a whole new ballgame with NP, a new role and new way of looking at patients. Working on the floor may help, but it hasn't made a bit of difference for me. (2 of the girls who failed last semester worked PCU and med-surg. Not married and no kids. I work in the OR AND have kids. It can be done!)

Plus when I get to be in a long case, I can whip out my notes and study at work

Im curious what from the OR helped you the most in your NP program ?

And what do you plan on doing once you pass your boards ?

[PureLifeRN]

A bunch of little things I guess. Some examples:

- gastric ulcers in smokers (seen those suckers perforate, always in a smoker!)

- same thing with bladder cancer (smoking=bad)

- people in my class were stressing over learning musculoskeletal diseases but I have seen many carpal tunnels, De'Quervains, Dupytren's contracture, rotator cuff repairs, Hammer toes, ACL repairs, etc. Seeing the inside of joints on arthoscopy made my life much easier learning that section!

- S/S of an acute abdomen

- S/S AAA and what to do (get to the OR stat!)

I could go on, but you probably get it. Never underestimate what the OR can teach you. I am now trying to look understand lab values on my patients and how they relate to their diagnosis (ex. WBC levels with appendicits). Being in the OR provides me the time to only have one patient at a time so I can really look at their PMH and diagnostic values to try to make some sense out of it. I don't think I want to work in the OR as an NP but I can definitely see how my OR experience will translate into primary care. Don't worry, you will be a rock star, especially when it comes to suturing class .