Is it impossible to get in OR or what?

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Specializes in Psych/OR.

I’ve been an inpatient psych nurse for the past almost 2 years since I passed my NCLEX. It is the only experience I have. I’ve decided to pursue different paths (even outpatient psych) now and have been considering transitioning to hospice or OR but wow it seems like getting in OR is impossible or something. Did you guys have the same problem getting into OR or is it because they just don’t take psych experience at all?

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Are you looking at community hospitals or large centers (ex academic centers)? Many big academic centers have OR training programs. Community hospitals may not want to or have the resources to train OR nurses with no prior OR experience.

I got into the OR by way of a training/residency program. There are a TON out there.

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Specializes in Psych/OR.

I’ve been looking into both. What I’ve found is that even the residency programs out there, which are not much for some reason, demand acute care experience of at least one year or two and as I noted above I only have psych experience so I have not been able to get into any of the residency programs I’ve applied to. Which area did you manage to get into the OR residency and did you have acute care experience?

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Specializes in Endoscopy/Operating room.

I would keep looking. I recently graduated and I have an interview with my hospital for the OR fellowship. It’s an intensive 6 month program. It is a teaching hospital and they take new students and nurses from any specialty. I think if you keep looking or if you’re willing to travel a little farther from your area you could locate a good program. Good luck. ?

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Specializes in Psych/OR.
32 minutes ago, Laceyk321 said:

I would keep looking. I recently graduated and I have an interview with my hospital for the OR fellowship. It’s an intensive 6 month program. It is a teaching hospital and they take new students and nurses from any specialty. I think if you keep looking or if you’re willing to travel a little farther from your area you could locate a good program. Good luck. ?

What are were you able to get into a residency?

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Specializes in Endoscopy/Operating room.
7 hours ago, bryan_del said:

What are were you able to get into a residency?

Do you mean where?

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On 4/24/2019 at 11:44 PM, bryan_del said:

I’ve been looking into both. What I’ve found is that even the residency programs out there, which are not much for some reason, demand acute care experience of at least one year or two and as I noted above I only have psych experience so I have not been able to get into any of the residency programs I’ve applied to. Which area did you manage to get into the OR residency and did you have acute care experience?

Hmm, not sure what you're asking...in terms of previous specialty - neuro progressive care.

In terms of geography - SE United States.

We take psych nurses into our program, ours is designed for all new to OR nurses.

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Specializes in Psych/OR.
3 hours ago, FurBabyMom said:

Hmm, not sure what you're asking...in terms of previous specialty - neuro progressive care.

In terms of geography - SE United States.

We take psych nurses into our program, ours is designed for all new to OR nurses.

Yes I mean within the U.S and which state and city. I live in L.A and all residency programs that are available require acute care experience but for some reason it seems as though they do not take psych.

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Specializes in Endoscopy/Operating room.
11 hours ago, FurBabyMom said:

Hmm, not sure what you're asking...in terms of previous specialty - neuro progressive care.

In terms of geography - SE United States.

We take psych nurses into our program, ours is designed for all new to OR nurses.

I just had my interview for the fellowship in my area in Pennsylvania. I won’t know till next week (fingers crossed) with that being said, during my interview I was told that I would take the fellowship with new grads like me and RN’s with no OR experience. Possibly those types of programs are more competitive in your area?

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Specializes in Psych/OR.
48 minutes ago, Laceyk321 said:

I just had my interview for the fellowship in my area in Pennsylvania. I won’t know till next week (fingers crossed) with that being said, during my interview I was told that I would take the fellowship with new grads like me and RN’s with no OR experience. Possibly those types of programs are more competitive in your area?

Yes I wish I was able to find such a program around here. They all want acute care or OR experience specifically which makes it really tough if you have neither.

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
10 hours ago, bryan_del said:

Yes I mean within the U.S and which state and city. I live in L.A and all residency programs that are available require acute care experience but for some reason it seems as though they do not take psych.

LA is one of the competitive markets due to oversaturation of nurses. If you are not having success getting into the OR in LA, you may need to consider relocating to an area where there isn't such a surplus.

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Specializes in Psych/OR.
7 minutes ago, Rose_Queen said:

LA is one of the competitive markets due to oversaturation of nurses. If you are not having success getting into the OR in LA, you may need to consider relocating to an area where there isn't such a surplus.

Yes I was thinking that. It seems like other areas do have them but over here they are scarce.

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