Is it true that OR nurses......

I was just wondering if it is true that OR nurses don't get paid that well? I heard that wages aren't too good for OR nurses. Thanks!

Not true

Far from the truth. The fact that you can OT when the rest of the hospital is forbidden to stay even a few minutes tells you there is money to be made. Also working outside the hospital is a real advantage, especially if you have a number of years of experience. I made about $130,00 last year, you tell me if OR nurses aren't paid well. Also it does depend where in the country you live and other factors, so what I make in Calif might translate into lower wages for the same amount of work elsewhere in other states. Check it out.

Not true. The pay is the same for all RN's, not different rates for specialties. In fact, factoring OT, call pay, we might make a little more!!!! But, as a rule, the hourly rate is the same as any other RN in the facility.

Hourly rate is the same as the other nurses where i work. I won't brag and post the average yearly salary, though.

I've been in the OR 10+ years and wage has never been a issue for complaint....you will usually end up making more than your supervisors (call/OT/etc)!

I love bragging about what I make a year because it has taken me almost 30 years to get where I am today. I want younger nurses to know their potential and what is available if they apply themselves. Yes, you probably will make more than your boss because they can't get OT and call time. If you are ambitious, you can make what you want. OR nurses have always had that potential and they should always take advantage of it. Mike

Generally speaking, can you get a position in the OR right out of school, or do you usually have to have experience?

You can get one out of school.

If you do take a position in the OR immediately after graduation, won't you miss out on getting a basic foundation in nursing? I was under the impression that if you take a position like that, you won't ever be able to leave OR nursing if you wish and do something else. Is that true?

I was interested in OR nursing when I first started school, but now as I near graduation, I have been deterred from it.

As I re-read my post, I realized it may not have come out exactly right. I don't mean to suggest that OR nurses do not have that foundation, I just wonder if you can get there exclusively through working the OR. I don't know.

I think I am in the same situation as you. I graduate in 3 weeks, and am deciding if I want to go straight to the OR or do some time in Med/Surg. Have you came to any conclusions?? Have you gotten any advice. I doubt that I want to stay in OR for my whole career. But that is where I want to be now. Will I be ruining any opportunities later in my career?

Dee2b,

I'm sorry I didn't answer sooner, I just saw your post. Congratulations on your graduation!!!

I haven't come up with any conclusive answers to this question yet. It's frustrating trying to decide, because we have (at least at my school) very little exposure to the OR and perioperative nursing. I am really interested in it, but I have so many questions. I'm still trying to get more information. I'm going to a local AORN meeting that is open to students this month and I'm hoping to get more information there.

Did you decide to take a job in the OR?

Good luck!