How long for orientation?

The usual is about 6 to 9 months, although I've seen as long as a year and as short as a couple of months..I think it depends somewhat on if you have previous experience, etc.

my orientation to the OR was a very intense 6 months and i learned to scrub and circulate. it was the perfect amount of orientation. good luck!

I am also a new RN in the OR. I was told my orientation is 6 months (give or take). I started mid Nov. and have been circulating alone since like end of January. I have not started taking call or scrubbin in yet. We circulate on all cases since we are a small hospital. Mainly general stuff and OB/GYN, ENT, ortho, eyes, some plastics and some spinal. Though we getting new ortho who does spinal work. I havent done any eye cases and only 1 hip case (with help). I've been told the bulk of ortho training is done on call however lately they are getting those that are 'weak' in ortho into the rooms. Good luck....

My orientation was 4 weeks in the classroom doing the AORN periop program and 6 months in the OR of just circulating, no scrubbing at all. It was very intense and although I've been off orientation for 4 months I'm still learning each and every day and don't feel like I'll be up to speed for at least another 6 months. It's true what they say. You have to give the OR a full year before you get even a baseline level of comfort in there.

I have been offered an Internship that will last 9 months at a teaching hospital.

yeah, cross your fingers for me. i dont think my orientation will be anywhere near as long as 6 months.

Best of luck to you!

My OR Nurse Educator recommended to me to purchase the AORN standards book....not sure of the exact name right at the moment.

She said it comes out around April, so make sure to get the newest edition. She said it costs around $100, but it would a great investment.....sort of an OR bible.

Our orientation is about 14 weeks, and that's for scrubbing and circulating. I can't imagine 6 months or more!! wow :)

best of luck to you!

my or nurse educator recommended to me to purchase the aorn standards book....not sure of the exact name right at the moment.

she said it comes out around april, so make sure to get the newest edition. she said it costs around $100, but it would a great investment.....sort of an or bible.

it's also tax deductible next year when you file, if you itemize. :)

Thanks for the tip!

yeah, cross your fingers for me. i dont think my orientation will be anywhere near as long as 6 months.

I think it will depend on "how small" small is. I worked in a 2 OR 25 bed hospital where we did a very limited variety of procedures. So was circulating on my own after a couple weeks. Of course in that small of an area my supervisor and the other RN were very close at hand for any questions or needs. Also our other team memebers were VERY helpful.

Good luck

I will be starting an OR job soon in a very small hospital. I was just curious how long people were on orientation for as a circulator RN?

Our orientation is 4 weeks in AORN's class and 6-7 months clinical. You circulate and scrub.