Is it hard to transition from OR?

NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN · Aug 4, 2016

Well lets see. I've never worked OR. But I have too many years in med/surg. Transitioning from OR, it is safe to assume that you will leaving one unconscious/sedated/non-verbal patient for 5-7 rude, demanding, demeaning, self-absorbed, me-first-and-to-heck-with-everybody-else individuals and their families and friends who just cannot get graham crackers and Diet Cokes any place else in the city but the hospital pantry. I'd say the transition should be a piece-a-cake.

But seriously, it would be a huge awakening that you probably would not want to handle even if you could, especially without having had the preceptor-free floor experience prior to going into the OR. I would highly recommend floor/unit nursing FIRST, if you know without a doubt you won't be staying in the OR for long. There again, I've never worked the OR before....just my opinion based on years in the trenches.

GingerySnaps, ADN, BSN, RN · Aug 7, 2016

The OR is a completely different environment than med surg, ER, or any other area. I started work in the ER straight out of nursing school. .My next job was in home health. Then I ventured into the world of the OR. Oh yeah, the OR is an entirely and completely different world separate from all others. You either hate it or you love it. Without experience, you won't be on your own. A general rule of thumb, is that most will not be entirely comfortable for about one year. Sometimes I felt as if I was losing all my nursing skills, but on the other hand, I gained OR nursing skills. If you don't have "thick skin," you'll grow it. When I started, I was much quieter and not so sure of myself. When I left, I was much more outspoken, way more self confident, and no longer a door mat (so to speak).

roser13, ASN, RN · Aug 7, 2016

Once you get into the OR, you will likely be required to stay for a while. The orientation to OR is lengthy and expensive. Most employers (in my experience) will require you to sign a contract for X number of years so that they can redeem their investment.

Editorial Team / Admin · Aug 7, 2016

First, do you have interest in working in the OR? If not, I would strongly advise not taking an OR job.

If you are worried about being able to change specialties, that will depend greatly on the support the nurse is given and the nurse's personality. I've worked with OR nurses who have gone on to work in ICU, ER, hospice, and many other specialties. It is doable.

ladyvp05 · Aug 9, 2016

My sister started out in the OR. She did it for 2 years. Since then she has worked med surg, mental health, home health, and now rehab. She said she was afraid that she would lose all her nursing skills, but it all came back to her when she started working on the floor. Personally I'm enjoying the OR. I just started a little over a month ago. I talked to my friend last week and she told me one day she had 8 patients on the medsurg floor.