how can i become an OR nurse?

Editorial Team / Admin · Sep 16, 2015

My thoughts on programs that are not hospital orientations: A waste of time. You shell out money, you may not get any hands on experience, and you will still need a full orientation to your workplace anyway.

Getting a job in the OR: Look for either residency programs or make sure you will get a thorough orientation. Hospitals may or may not accept applications from those without experience; it truly depends on the facility itself. One place I applied to had a policy that all new grads had to do a year in med/surg before being allowed into any other specialty. My facility that I work for took me into the OR as a new grad and provided 6 months of orientation 1 on 1 followed by another 3 months with 1 resource nurse for 3 new nurses.

Just realize that depending on the job market, you may need to accept a job in another specialty to get your foot in the door of a facility, and then you can apply as an internal applicant. Not familiar with the job market in TX though.

Edz86 · Sep 16, 2015

My thoughts on programs that are not hospital orientations: A waste of time. You shell out money, you may not get any hands on experience, and you will still need a full orientation to your workplace anyway.
Getting a job in the OR: Look for either residency programs or make sure you will get a thorough orientation. Hospitals may or may not accept applications from those without experience; it truly depends on the facility itself. One place I applied to had a policy that all new grads had to do a year in med/surg before being allowed into any other specialty. My facility that I work for took me into the OR as a new grad and provided 6 months of orientation 1 on 1 followed by another 3 months with 1 resource nurse for 3 new nurses.
Just realize that depending on the job market, you may need to accept a job in another specialty to get your foot in the door of a facility, and then you can apply as an internal applicant. Not familiar with the job market in TX though.

Thank you Rose! That's what i am thinking too. I've done my research too online and i have learned that some hospitals still wants you to undergo their training which is a minimum of as u said 6mos. So i was thinking, maybe i can apply even without experience because i will be trained anyway.. Haha! But well, i think every special area needs applicants with experience.. I don't know. But yeah, i needed to get my foot in the facility first and maybe apply as an internal applicant. Thanks a lot!

sailornurse · Sep 17, 2015

Agree with Rose Queen. It just depends on facility. I worked with a brand new ADN/RN at a methadone clinic. When the clinic closed/went out of business, she applied at one of 2 hospitals and was hired in the OR. She is still there 5 years later and loves it. And she has never worked on the hospital floors! So it can happen. Just depends on timing/facility/situation.