How exactly do you become an OR nurse?

FA to CRNA2b · Apr 18, 2009

No. To become a perioperative nurse, you go through a long fellowship. You can be an ADN or BSN nurse.

passionate23 · Apr 18, 2009

I just started nursing school so I have a long way to go, but I am interested in eventually becoming an OR nurse as well. Can someone provide information on the duties of an OR nurse? Are the responsibilities mainly geared towards preparing the room and patient, or are you actually assisting during the surgery?

Thanks

CaLLaCoDe, BSN, RN · Apr 18, 2009

Well, when I was in nursing school a course was offered for peri operative nursing and everyone, almost everyone who took this course became an O.R. nurse. I simply did not have the time to put in for this course, since I was working at the time. I do not regret not having had the course, but the following semesters this course was omitted from the curriculum. Now that truly sks!

crystal25 · Apr 18, 2009

I would like to know too!

jaratarRN · Apr 18, 2009

I also would love some information from all you experienced nurses out there! I am doing my pre-req's now for NS and I am getting my CNA, but I am interested to hear exactly how you go about becoming trained in a specific field. I know it is early, but I am interested in OR, peds, and l&d. Someone said you go through a long fellowship (and this may be a stupid question), but how long? Do the hospitals offer these programs or are they through a nursing school? Are they very competitive? Is that what you do for other specialties as well, or do you simply apply for a job and then your employer trains you? As you can see, I have a lot of questions about this topic and any information would be much appreciated! I love this website so far because there is such a wealth of knowledge out there and this provides a great way to tap into it! I look forward to hearing back!

passionate23 · Apr 18, 2009

Ugh, that's a shame, I'm not sure if my nursing program has a rotation or opportunity for OR either. I would just really like to understand more about what they do, I have tried looking online but didn't really find any concrete information.

newyorkgrrrrrrrrrrrl · Apr 18, 2009

Hospitals have training for all specialties of nursing. Time frames vary depending on the hospital and the specialty itself. Some specialities you can enter into right after graduating, some want experience, i.e. med-surg.

TuTonka · Apr 18, 2009

I would like to know how also and where in San diego does this happen? :)

megalin · Apr 18, 2009

I don't know if this will help, but the community college I am attending has a Surgical Tech program. It's a 14 month certificate and does not require any pre-reqs . I was told by one of my professors that while many hospitals will do on-the-job training for this field, getting this certificate is helpful. In fact, many students going through the RN program will get the surgical tech certificate for the extra credentials especially if they are interested in being an OR Nurse. I know that this isn't the only way, but it's an idea!

I hope this helps!

Irene joy · Apr 18, 2009

I am in an ADN program and we have one observation day in second quarter. Today I lucked out and was able to observe again (I'm in fourth quarter now). I got to watch a total knee replacement anda total hip replacement. Our two local hospitals both have a new grad residency for OR. It is about 6-9 months long and intigrates the classroom and the OR. There is usually a contract that needs to be signed that states you will stay for at least 2 years after training. I hope to get into one when I graduate and pass NCLEX.

NabiRN, BSN, RN · Apr 18, 2009

You will find lots of info here:

https://allnurses.com/operating-room-nursing/

Good luck.