How to break into OR nursing

nightengalegoddess · Sep 3, 2011

Duh, read down through threads and found a wealth of info on this topic. Sorry for the clutter guys (gals).....

LaurenElaine · Sep 4, 2011

Hi nightengalegoddess,

Although I am not in the exact same boat as you, (I'm an ADN student), I am interested in OR nursing and was also wondering if it would be a wiser move to start a BSN program or go into a perioperative training program first. The advise I have gotten so far is to get into a BSN program, do a clinical rotation in an OR, and then within a year of graduating look for an OR Fellowship at a hospital. This sounds great, but I am having a hard time finding felllowships specifically in the OR (I am in NJ/PA). I am sure the economy has something to do with that. The other advise that I got from a nursing professor was to go through a surgical tech program and work as such while in school, which will make it easier to get a job in the OR upon graduating. This sounds great as well, but how would I find time to do this, nursing classes, studying, and working! :confused:

What information have you discovered?

Thanks!

ttocs · Sep 5, 2011

anybody hear of any OR training positions in the bay area?

ttocs · Sep 5, 2011

I have been working on a tele step down unit for the past two years and am looking to transition into the OR

nightengalegoddess · Sep 6, 2011

LaurenElaine, best advice so far I have recieved is to get certified in ICU (CCRN)....that means we can work wherever we want, we would prove the capacity to do anything and be higher pickins than basic med-surg nurse. As a student ADN......finish that, I would think......work a while (6 mos to year) in med- surg.....affiliate with the ICU bunch in whatever hospital you work.....and get a place in the ICU training program......become the ICU RN.......get your CCRN.....( all the while working online for bachelors)......then shmooze with surgical....(very eccentric and elitist bunch). They may give you some PACU...then you may get a place to be trained. That is the old school way.....( I have heard 5 times in the last few days)........I also ponder about how I can possibly learn two huge things at one time. But I was told this week, that the bachelors degree work is about long nights of paper writing and theory ( some statistics).......and the ICU training is specificaly action oriented in which you also are getting trained on the job for pay. I had it equated to me as taking higher math while also taking philosopy and english. It may be possible if we have no other life at all. Of course, I heard this from a couple high achieveing RN MALES without family to support. I have decided to get into ICU training (getting paid at the same time)........and spending very late hours writting theory papers for the BA. And then...YES........going insane with statistics when the time comes and praying like hell. I wrote out my four year plan. And I have already been an RN for six years. There is a lot of opportunity. But when nurses are thought to make SO much money.......we also pay with SO much of our minds and lifestyle loss while gettin to our apex. I thought I would be satisfied as a bedside nurse forever. But unless we take advantage of the full arena..we WILL become burnt out and feel abused over time. I think the end goal is to be a free contracter in nursing. Then, we are indebted to no one......except the code of ethics and our nursing board's standards..and our own spiritual needs. I've been working all night so I hope this makes sense. Just another idea. oxox blessings

nightengalegoddess · Sep 6, 2011

PS. Straight up OR training for the RN went out with the recession..Darn. But I hear Mayo still has a very open program. Although I do believe they require CCRN status first. Please correct me if I am wrong. Myself, I am stuck away from Mayo...with common woman responsibilities.

nightengalegoddess · Sep 6, 2011

PSS. How can any human find money and time to do the surgical tech program as well as the nursing program? Is your professor a man? Cause I must say...they seem so capable of being manic and actually DOING this all at once!!! I may sound sexist, but I am just jealous!!!!

jeckrn, BSN, RN · Sep 7, 2011

look into the AORN Perioperative 101 program; information can be found on their website www.AORN.ORG

As far as getting hired in the OR see what the hospitals in your area hire into the OR, go talk with the nurse manage, OR staff nurse etc. if you can.

In some areas having a CCRN might be a plus but others you might not get hired for the OR because they may be afaird that you will return to the ICU after paying to train in the OR then you leave.

ICURN099 · Sep 9, 2011

I was recently offerred a position in the OR after 1 year experience as an ICU nurse. I do not have my CCRN and i'm also seeking my BSN. I also asked during my interview what qualities/education they are seeking in a candidate, and they told me ICU nurses usually do well in OR, but they often hire new grads. I work in the upper midwest, so that may be completly different from where you work - just thought i'd share.

NursingMariss · Sep 9, 2011

I am a new graduate RN, BSN. My senior practicum was through the OR. I am currently seeking employment at the same hospital I completed my practicum at. The prospect looks very promising. (I am in the northeast.)

Perhaps enroll in your BSN program and speak with the chairperson of your program in regards to similar opportunities? You never know could happen unless you ask!

There's an article in the August 2011 AORN Journal about this actually. It's a really good read! May give you some good ideas!

P.S. To become a student member of AORN, it costs $20. And then you have access to sooo much information!

NursingMariss · Sep 9, 2011

Here's the link to that article in AORN Journal:

http://www.aornjournal.org/article/S0001-2092(11)00518-7/fulltext