job in OR

My friend, also in nursing school, presently works p/t in the OR. I don't think these jobs are too easy to come by but our school is a hospital-based nursing program and they encourage student employment--helps pay for tuition as well.

I think you will be able to find a job in the OR. I would advise you to work medical floor or surgical floor first, but if your hart is in the OR, go for it. You will learn more than you ever thought you would. Good luck.

I think you will be able to find a job in the OR. I would advise you to work medical floor or surgical floor first, but if your hart is in the OR, go for it. You will learn more than you ever thought you would. Good luck.

What kinds of jobs are available to students who are still in school ?

Are these part time jobs or available second shift? What do you mean by working the medical or surgical floors first BTW?

What kinds of jobs are available to students who are still in school ?

Are these part time jobs or available second shift? What do you mean by working the medical or surgical floors first BTW?

Hi! I'm not sure what your background is so I'll start at the beginning. I don't mean to be condenscending. If you already know this stuff just skip on to the end! :wink2:

First, something experienced nurses assume everybody knows, but not every one does, is a Medical-Surgical floor (medsurg) is a general nursing unit, the kind you usually visit firends in in the hospital. A "medical" floor has patients treated by family practice doctors, internists, or some specialists but these patients are generally not having surgery, maybe a worsening of asthma or diabetic shock that will be treated with meds and fluids. A "sugical" floor takes care of pts expecting to have or after having surgery. Many floor are MedSurg and take care of both, makes sense since a medical pt may become surgical or vise-versa.

Medical-Surgical nurses are the nurses that take care of these pts (most pts in the hospital) Some floors are very generalized. Rm 1 has a respiratory pt, Rm 2 has a post-op gallbladder pt, Rm 3 has a pt with kidney stones.... Other hospitals have specialized MedSurg floors. 2nd floor mostly GI, 3rd floor respiratory, 4th floor orthopedics... Either way, a MedSurg nurse. As you go through school some people will tell you to try MedSurg for general experience before you try a "specialty" others will tell you to go right for the specialty you want. Something you'll decide around graduation. 'Nuff said.

Now- on to the OR. Here you have "peri-operative" nurses (OR and Recovery room) There aren't too many entry level jobs in the OR. Most of the work is done by Surgical or Scrub Techs or LPNs or RNs. We do use a few aides and what you find will depend on how many local hospitals use and if there is a high turn over (we have a very low turn over for aides. We have holding area aides who work in the unit the pt comes to right before the actual OR, they take vitals occasionally, set up equipment, prepare paper work, and push the pts in litters. We have aides that clean and sort instruments for sterilizing that work in an area of the OR. They have to learn the names of instuments and how to care for them. We have aides that set up rooms and pick instrument sets to get ready for upcoming surgeries. Some hospitals use aides to help housekeepers and nurses "turnover" rooms- make beds, move equipment, etc.

When I need help to hold an arm so I can prep it, I grab an aide (but a strong one) Sometimes our aides (esp in the instrument room have down time and I see them reading, talking, etc. If I knew there was a student in there I'd grab you to help out or observe. So who knows what you'll find?

When you get toward the end of school you might be able to find a student nurse internship in the OR in your area. Not too many hospitals have them but more are catching on to the idea. While you're looking for an OR job, ask about internships for students, too, maybe you'll inspire someone to start! Also, don't forget out patient surgical centers, you might find a job there.

Good Luck!

Miss JoRN - although I did not post, I read your response w/great interest. I will start my registered nursing program this month & am interested in the OR. I've only worked as a CNA for a few months in Med/Surg/Tele where it is extremely wild, & hope to explore other areas, especially the OR, as I hope to specialize. Tk U for sharing your experience.

Hi! I'm not sure what your background is so I'll start at the beginning. I don't mean to be condenscending. If you already know this stuff just skip on to the end! :wink2:

First, something experienced nurses assume everybody knows, but not every one does, is a Medical-Surgical floor (medsurg) is a general nursing unit, the kind you usually visit firends in in the hospital. A "medical" floor has patients treated by family practice doctors, internists, or some specialists but these patients are generally not having surgery, maybe a worsening of asthma or diabetic shock that will be treated with meds and fluids. A "sugical" floor takes care of pts expecting to have or after having surgery. Many floor are MedSurg and take care of both, makes sense since a medical pt may become surgical or vise-versa.

Medical-Surgical nurses are the nurses that take care of these pts (most pts in the hospital) Some floors are very generalized. Rm 1 has a respiratory pt, Rm 2 has a post-op gallbladder pt, Rm 3 has a pt with kidney stones.... Other hospitals have specialized MedSurg floors. 2nd floor mostly GI, 3rd floor respiratory, 4th floor orthopedics... Either way, a MedSurg nurse. As you go through school some people will tell you to try MedSurg for general experience before you try a "specialty" others will tell you to go right for the specialty you want. Something you'll decide around graduation. 'Nuff said.

Now- on to the OR. Here you have "peri-operative" nurses (OR and Recovery room) There aren't too many entry level jobs in the OR. Most of the work is done by Surgical or Scrub Techs or LPNs or RNs. We do use a few aides and what you find will depend on how many local hospitals use and if there is a high turn over (we have a very low turn over for aides. We have holding area aides who work in the unit the pt comes to right before the actual OR, they take vitals occasionally, set up equipment, prepare paper work, and push the pts in litters. We have aides that clean and sort instruments for sterilizing that work in an area of the OR. They have to learn the names of instuments and how to care for them. We have aides that set up rooms and pick instrument sets to get ready for upcoming surgeries. Some hospitals use aides to help housekeepers and nurses "turnover" rooms- make beds, move equipment, etc.

When I need help to hold an arm so I can prep it, I grab an aide (but a strong one) Sometimes our aides (esp in the instrument room have down time and I see them reading, talking, etc. If I knew there was a student in there I'd grab you to help out or observe. So who knows what you'll find?

When you get toward the end of school you might be able to find a student nurse internship in the OR in your area. Not too many hospitals have them but more are catching on to the idea. While you're looking for an OR job, ask about internships for students, too, maybe you'll inspire someone to start! Also, don't forget out patient surgical centers, you might find a job there.

Good Luck!

A hospital here says they have positions for sterilizers and OR Assistants.

I want to become an OR nurse someday and am now taking prereqs to that end.

Should I drop a job that pays 45K a year in order to take one that pays 30k?

If so which job do you think I should go for? I was thinking sterilizer, but I do not know.

A hospital here says they have positions for sterilizers and OR Assistants.

I want to become an OR nurse someday and am now taking prereqs to that end.

Should I drop a job that pays 45K a year in order to take one that pays 30k?

If so which job do you think I should go for? I was thinking sterilizer, but I do not know.

Hmmm...not sure...

What are the job descriptions for each?

Where (physically located) does the sterilizer work? We do initial processing in the OR work room- rinsing, decontaminating, sorting, packaging, then send the sets to a seperate sterilizing department on another floor of the hospital. That staff has very little exposure to the OR or the actual instruments

Is the pay the same for either?

Is there an on-call requirement? How does that fit your schedule, what's the pay for getting called in?

I can't speak for your financial status- I assume those rates are for FT pay? Will you be able to work FT?

Depending on your line of work now, a hospital job may be more flexible toward your school schedule- surely there will be a PT position if you need it, then do more hours between semesters, work days or evenings as needed?

Can you afford the 30% pay cut? It might be worth it to get the experience? You really won't find an aide position of any type for more than that. (actually, I know CSTs that make that!) Can you still do some extra work in your current position for extra $ if needed?

If it doesn't work out, financially or you don't like it, can you return to your current line of work?

I'm curious as to what the "OR assistant" does and would be tempted to give it a try to get that OR "in"