Dislike med-surg, like ICU & OR,OR internship opportunity

[RN890]

Hello all! I am seeking some finally opinions before I make a decision. I am a fairly new nurse with 15 months experience on a neuro PCU/general med-surg and one year in LTC. I just had a second interview for an OR internship position. I feel very lucky that I discovered this opportunity, as it is hard to find any kind of OR training for inexperienced nurses.

I just want to be sure that the OR is what I really want because I will be required to sign a two-year contract with the hospital (at least 1 year in OR, 2 full years in network). I also hear that you either love it or hate it. In nursing school ICU and OR were my FAVORITE rotations without question. I also just recently applied to ICU's but none are accepting inexperienced nurses.

Basically, I am just trying to decide which way to go. I am young and have my whole life to work so I really want to enjoy what I am doing. I truly love nursing but I just need to find my niche. I love acute care, learning, and intensity, but I DO NOT love med-surg/floor nursing.The reason I do not enjoy med-surg or LTC for that matter, is that I am not satisfied unless I can do everything I want to, all the little things, for my patients. It really bothers me when I can't do those little things for my patients, which rarely you can on a med-surg floor because of acuity and staffing. I'm also one of those people who never takes lunch breaks because I don't want to put my patients in danger of not being covered while I'm at lunch. I am your typical type A personality. I think I would be successful in the OR and would really enjoy it. If I get offered the position, I am 99% sure I will take it. It's either that or do med-surg :/ until I can get into an ICU training program. I really kind of wish I would have tried to go into a speciality right out of nursing school like I wanted to but I'm hoping that the floor nursing experience will benefit me. I think I'm still a new enough nurse that I can be shaped and transformed into a speciality nurse. My thoughts are, if I want to try the OR, better do it now.

Any one else feel the same way in regards to enjoying the ICU and OR but not med-surg nursing? Which way did you go and are you happy with the choice that you made? Has anyone ever jumped straight from OR to ICU?

[ruralgirl08]

Hi, I feel the same way as you do. ICU and OR are my top two areas of interest. I regret not jumping into a specialty when I had the chance as a new grad (I had an ICU opportunity, that I did not take). Now I have been floor nursing for the last 3yrs, and I feel I need to make a change soon, before I get too comfortable on the road to burnout. I never liked floor nursing in school either, I was drawn to OR/ED/ICU.

I always knew eventually I would end up in the OR, but I also think I would have made an excellent ICU nurse. Now early on in my career, I have learned more about myself, and want work/life balance more then ever.

I am currently taking an OR program, to get my foot in the door. I think the OR is a better route for me over ICU. Though ICU knowledge/experience is invaluable. You got to go where you think you would be most happy. For me that would be the OR, especially now that I am a mom/wife. The 8hr shifts would be better for my personal life.

I am not a Type A personality, I am more of a mediator, but I think this is also useful to a team environment. But like you, I also prefer having one complicated patient, vs. many less complicated. I do like being a little behind the scenes while still working in a challenging scientific environment. I prefer my patients asleep:) If I got offered an OR position, I would take it in a second! Good luck making your decision.

[RN890]

Hey, thanks for your reply! I felt burnout after only 15 months on med-surg! Just not for me I guess. Like you, I would like the working conditions in the OR better than the floor also. I definitely will take the position if I am offered. I find out mid-May. Good luck to you! I hope you also find happiness in the OR!:) That's the beautiful thing about nursing, so many different specialties. My professor always said, "nursing is a buffet!":lol2:

[canesdukegirl, BSN, RN]

It sounds to me like you already know that you would LOVE the OR. You have one pt at a time, and you are able to focus on them AND ONLY THEM during induction and emergence.

That being said, all of the things that happen in between will leave you plenty busy! You have already been through a rotation in the OR, so you know what it is like. I am very type A myself, and the OR fits my personality in this regard.

I think you should take the OR position! Best of lucK!

[Krystle022]

Did you get a position in the OR?

[ruralgirl08]

I did! I like my schedule, and it works for me. I never feel like I bring my work home anymore. I still think one day I may try ICU or PACU, but until then, I am very happy in the OR.

[jlamarev]

Do you work 8 hours shifts in the OR? I think that is a big plus over working allllll day shifts on the floor!