Guidance

[PotentialOR]

Hey All,

I'm 22 years old and a current senior student at an ADN program (Taking the NCLEX this summer), with no prior work history in the hospital. It has always been a dream of mine to someday end up in the OR, but I'm stuck on just how I should go about pursuing this field. Knowing that there are quite a few professionals on here, I thought I'd give it a shot and hear what you all think is the best route I should take after graduating next week :) Please be up front with me and let me know your stories...how you ended up where you are today...what you would've done if you could turn back the clock, etc...your honesty is much appreciated.

Thanks,

Nick

[BridgetJones]

Well, I knew that I wanted to work in the OR when I was a student and I had an observation day there. But when I graduated I was just looking for a "starter" nursing job to get my feet wet, so I took a job at an LTACH unit and worked there a little over a year. I took care of a variety of patients who were vented, trached, had TBIs, and wounds and infections of all kinds. I didn't really like it to be honest, but (and this is where I'll get flamed) when I got to the OR I was really glad that I already had a handle on basic assessment and patient care skills. It was overwhelming coming to the OR after a year of experience...I couldn't even imagine what it would have been like if I couldn't put in a foley, start an IV, or prime IV tubing. Beyond basic hands-on skills, I think that the floor is really where you learn to care for and manage a patient. When I got to the OR I couldn't believe how many distractions there were...the boive, the CUSA, the harmonic scalpel, and all the things you're responsible for setting up in the room...and everybody else in the room thinks that you need to get them something, NOW! Having a little experience makes it easier to see the big picture and make advocating for your patient your #1 priority in a new enviornment with tons of stuff.

Everybody is different, and if you are motivated to do well in OR you will probably be fine. I work with a few nurses who came to OR right out of school and they are great. I'm just telling you what worked for me.

As far as you ending up in the OR, since you don't have work experience in a hospital I would say that anything to get your foot in the door would be a start. Start looking and working your network because these days it's about the only way in!

Good luck.

[PotentialOR]

Thank you for the advice :) It's nice to hear that those that go straight into the OR have done well too.

I definitely am searching around for job opportunities, but before I made any commitments (NA,Tech,LPN,Secretary), I wanted to see if there were any other options for me. At my present position, are there any certification classes/courses that I would be qualified to go after that would help to beef up my resume/knowledge-base for a position in the OR...?