How do I get into the OR?

[Anniehow]

I'm feeling very discouraged, the reason I went to nursing school was becasue I wanted to be a circulating nurse.

When I was a new grad, I got and interview for the OR, I didn't get it because I didn't have experiance. So I've been working on telemetry for a year (a job I LOATH, it's totally not for me but I do it without complaining), I recently got an interview in the OR at my hospital and I didn't get get :-(. I found out it went to a new grad. I'm so discouraged, I don't know what to do. How does one get into the OR. I became a member of AORN hoping I could network and meet people but I haven't met anyone from any of my local hospitals. There are no OR training courses locally that would help me get some training and make me more attractive to an employer.

It feels like I have tried everything I can think of to get a job in the OR. I just want to be an OR nurse but I can't seem to get a foot in the door, I would never have gone to nursing school if I had know I wouldn't be able to work in the OR.

[anustart]

I was fortunate enough to be hired into an OR that was offering a Peri-Op 101 course. I was working on a tele floor to get experience that would allow me to find the position I loved. All I can say is DON'T GIVE UP. Peri-op 101 courses are VERY hard to come by and I consider myself SO fortunate. Keep gaining experience. Work on your interview skills. Maybe look for a job on a surg/ortho floor. Our PACU nurses and surgeons have a lot of contact with the floor nurses. Sometimes it is all about who you know. Ask if you can shadow in the OR. Network. Take OR CEUs. If it's what you really want, don't give up.

[Anniehow]

Thanks Becca, I'm not going to give up, I was just feeling demoralized and needed to vent. It really irked me that a new grad got the job when I have been working at this hospital for a year. I though my interview skills were pretty good, in fact I used to manage a business and hired people all the time, I know how to interview.

Networking however is not my strong suit. And in Louisiana it is all about who you know, I'm not originally from here so I'm really at a disadvantage. I'm not going to quit. I plan on trying to shadow, and I have been making a better effort to learn the names of the OR personnel I do run into, as well as the surgeons. I've taken a PRN job on the surg/ortho floor to get to know them better.

Being a member of AORN does anyone know if I can pay and take for Peri-op 101 on my own?

[NedRN]

Can you move? Start interviewing nationally, preferably at teaching hospitals, until you find one willing to hire. Don't worry about location, just do it and work there a couple of years. Then you will be able to get a job anywhere, even at the hospital you are at now. Also, you mentioned "circulate". Don't limit yourself there either. A really good hospital will teach you to circulate and scrub. Even if you end up just circulating later, you will be a better nurse for it. Just as your time on telemetry will also make you a better circulator. Ability to scrub will also make you more competitive at some hospitals.