ER to OR

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Specializes in ER, PACU, ICU.

I have always had an interest in working in the OR starting before nursing school. I've been a nurse for about 5.5 years and it still interest me. I have been working in the ER for the past 4 years and I love the fast paced, critical patients, and yes I admit it I love the traumas but I am not sure its where I want to spend the rest of my career as a nurse. My hospital occasionally has fellowship positions for the OR and I think I am going to apply this time around. I guess my question is are there others who have crossed over in either direction and what are your experiences? Is it possible to train someone from the ER into another specialty. Particularly OR? Haha sometimes I feel like we may be difficult to train.

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Specializes in Operating room..

I tried to work PRN in the ER and it was hard for me because there was no sterile technique (OR nurse 6 years)! As long as you are willing to forget everything you have learned so far you will do fine. I LOVE the OR (back in the OR btw). Definitely enough action to keep you occupied for a full career!

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Specializes in ER, PACU, ICU.

Thanks for the reply MereSanity! I have to admit what you mentioned is part of my fear.... I know in the ER there are some things we are "suppose" to do sterile but nothing in the ER is sterile. When I was orienting in the ER as a newer nurse my charge once told me "we can treat infection later" as I was taking too long to perform a task.....

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Specializes in Operating room..

Don't let that fear keep you from going for it....best choice I ever made was to work in the OR!

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Specializes in Emergency.

You literally posted my exact question! I actually got a PRN job in a surgery center, and still work two days a week ER. First, I must say I LOVE it, and I've only been there a few weeks and have so much to learn... and I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed...but I'm still in ER nurse mode and the transition is slow because I'm still working ER...and yes, I'm 100% afraid that I will pull an ER nurse move and mess up something sterile. I'm quite certain I've found my niche finally after 6 years of flapping around waiting for that ah-hah moment in my nursing career... good luck!

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Specializes in ER, PACU, ICU.

I'm glad I am not the only one with that fear! Thanks for sharing!

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Welcome to the OR!!

just remember, all of us contaminate something sooner or later...things happen. You just have to let someone know you did it and fix it. . Have fun and best of luck.

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