Help/Advice with First Job.

[rgualdron]

Hello,

I am going to graduate from an ASN-RN program in Florida. I completed my clinical transition (longer than clinical experience) in the OR. We initially were given a few preference choices and OR was my second choice (under a regular medical-surgical floor). I had an amazing experience but wanting to become an ARNP or continue to advance in my master's degree seemed limited in the OR. I only saw circulators/scrubs in there. I was given very good feedback and an upcoming job interview for the position in the OR. Being interested in dermatology, family medicine, I believe the OR experience will not be the best for me. I do have to complete my BSN and this would be a great job in the meantime. although, I am concerned that whenever I try to find a job as a nurse practitioner, I will no be able to get it due to lack of experience with patients, giving meds, and assessing. With this in mind, do you guys think I should take a position in the OR while I complete my bachelor's or, are there advance jobs (with advanced pay- not CRNA's) for OR nurses? thank you for your help and advice!

[babeinboots, MSN, NP, CNM]

First, congrats on your interview and finishing nursing school!

Now on to the other stuff. Focus on getting the job first before you start thinking about turning it down. Life as a new grad is unpredictable! Some new grads have multiple job offers while others struggle to find employment for a year or more.

As for becoming a CRNA you need ICU experience not OR experience. Advanced nursing degrees in education or clinical nurse specialist can be tailored to any specialty, you just have to find the right program.

Lastly, if you enjoyed your time in the OR I would say the job is worth exploring. Finding your nitch in nursing is something many new grads struggle with.

Good luck on your journey!

[rgualdron]

thank you for your advice!

[ProperlySeasoned]

Here's the thing about the OR - It's not a jail with a lifetime sentence, and it's not going anywhere. You will absolutely find nurses in their 50's and 60's who have spent their entire careers as scrubs or circulators, especially those with military backgrounds. You will also find many nurses that spend a few years in the OR, then transition to another area. It does take some spin, a carefully worded resume, but it absolutely can be done. I found my dream job because I was exposed to the speciality in the OR. It sounds like you are looking at advanced clinical roles, but the OR also has a very established network of charges, supervisors, managers, directors, etc. If you are interested, you can absolutely grow professionally on the leadership ladder.

There is a caveat to what I said above - Peri-operative nursing has its own language, vocabulary, technology, and is just plain different that most parts of nursing. So they have extensive training programs for nurses, unlike any I have seen in any other speciality. Because of this, it can be much easier for an RN to transfer INTO the OR than out of the OR. Might want to take advantage of a new grad program while you can, because those are harder to find when you are an experienced RN. In summation, the OR is an unconventional path, but it still can get you somewhere amazing.