I want to be an OR nurse

[NurslingNicole]

I graduate from nursing school in less than a month and I am currently precepting in an OR at a local hospital. I know that this is what I want to do. What I am hesitant about is my obvious lack of any nursing experience at all, other than what I've done in clinicals. Do my roughly 100 hours spent precepting in the OR count as experience? I try to jump in and be as helpful as I can and do any nursing skills that I can in an effort to show that I am interested and am a hard worker and that I want to be there. The nurses say that I am doing well, I like the work environment and the people in it, and I happen to know that they have open positions and need a couple more nurses... Should I talk to the director about my interest in working there?

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

While it may be taken under consideration when applying (especially if you apply at the facility where you're currently in clinical), it's not in any way going to count as nursing experience. You'll still need the same in-depth orientation that any nurse new to the OR is going to need- and I wouldn't be surprised if there are things that a licensed nurse can do at the facility that student nurses aren't allowed to do (whether it's followed or not is another story). Go ahead and mention your interest- but also take a look at job postings and see what they are looking for. If they're looking for those with OR experience, the need is likely right away, and they want someone who can be up and running independently relatively quick. If they're looking to start a new cohort of orientees, then you've likely got a shot at getting in.

[NurslingNicole]

Thank you for the response!

[Argo]

They dont count anywhere except where you're doing them. I would talk to the manager or director if they are available and let them know you're interested. I would hire a good fresh grad to train and did quite a few times. Let them know who you worked with so they can talk to them too.