ER to OR

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I'm currently an ER nurse in a busy community hospital. I've worked 3 years in my current position. Before that I worked on a med/surg and tele floor (primarily a surgical floor that had tele for the post ops that needed it but we received many straight cardiac patients due to our tele capabilities) for 2 years. I am currently moving to a new state and have thoughts of trying a new type of nursing - specifically the OR. I have thought about the OR for many years but never made any attempt of actually making the change. I know the OR is a completely different beast than the ER so I am curious if there are any other ER nurses out there that have made the change and loved it. Or maybe why they don't love it or miss the ER? I am currently feeling a little burnt out from my current ER (for many reasons). I am moving so I don't know if a new ER is what I need or if I should use this move to make a change??

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Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.

I made the move and it was the best decision I made as far as nursing goes. You are right about the OR being a different beast. What I like about it is more mechanical than any other area of nursing.

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Specializes in hospice, HH, LTC, ER,OR.

I made the move about three years ago from ER to OR. I dont love it but it works for me at the moment. I miss using my skills. I didnt become a nurse to just chart, position, and answer the doctor's phones.

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I made the move and it was the best decision I made as far as nursing goes. You are right about the OR being a different beast. What I like about it is more mechanical than any other area of nursing.

Can you tell me a little more... like about the different challenges you face in the OR? what specifically you like and don't like about it?? was it hard to find a position in the OR with no OR experience and coming from the ER?? thank you for any input you have

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Hi,

I have a very similar background to you it seems, 4 years of floor, 2 years of ER and have just completed 2 in the OR (ENT, bronch, robot, general/onc, peds)

The ER and OR are polar opposites in my experience - completely different beasts.

Positives about OR

- 1 pt at a time

- Less overall stress

- Some surgeons very nice and make you feel part of the team - when teamwork works it's great

- More money (at least where I work)

- Scrubbing can be a nice change from circulating, however multiple CSTs are in da house

Negatives

- Very limited pt/family interaction, I really miss that (I think!?)

- Hardly use any 'nursing skills' from the ER, Anesthesia completely in charge of pt's hemodynamic status

- ******* surgeons

- Can be a bit 'dull' depending on your service (obviously this is not true for Trauma/CV/ect, especially if you're scrubbed)

All ORs are different though.......

I was more burned out from ER than I thought - I don't feel that anymore.

I don't think I could do ER full time again though - sometimes think about going back per diem.

Not having OR experience is not an issue

In summary - give it a go - you can always move again if you don't like it.

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