Looking for some guidance!

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I am a nursing student, set to graduate in May of 2013. I know I want to be in the OR because every time I've shadowed and observed I have been in love. I have been told that I should start applying around November to line up a job. My question is, should I apply for my dream OR RN position or a Med/Surg to get some acute care background, or should I just wait and do a GN position or maybe an internship? Any comments would be super helpful. Thanks!

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I'll say the OR is a great unit, in that there isnt so much high stress as is on a med surg floor, but med surg floor would give you a solid background of the different kind of conditions in health. Although annoying to say, it's advisable for New grads to start on med surg because with med surg experience, you have greater chances applying to a variety of units. A med surg nurse applying to an OR unit has a good chance, OR to med surg, not so much, cos theres not much experience with bed side nursing. Im a new grad, working for 4 months now on my med surg unit, I dont love it very much, but its the experience Im trying to get, then move to a low stress unit like the OR. if you start on the OR unit, wit that experience, if you have a change of heart, applying to a med surg unit, or peds, or psych or something, it will be difficult because med surg is broad, and OR is specific.

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Specializes in OR and Midwifery.

Hi,* I'm in Australia and instead of during a graduate year I went straight in to working in theatre because I also fell in love with the OR and for the last 5 years never regretted my decision. Until now.... After having my 1st child I decided I wanted to do labour & delivery (midwifery here in oz). So I applied and got in to a post grad dip program. I feel like I'm not only learning the midwifery side of my new job but also ward nursing skill I never learnt like time management and patient interaction.* I recommend doing a general year 1st, you never know, you might like it.*

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Specializes in School Nurse; ICU.

I would apply for every position that you are interested in-if you get the OR and that is what you love then you have gotten the golden ticket. If not, then you at least tried. Every first year in a new position is hard. You will have to understand that if you move (which you may or may not do down the road) that you start over again from ground zero and you will have to learn at that level again. Nobody likes it but that is the way it is. You may love OR and stay there for the next 50 years-why would you want Med Surg experience if that was the case? However, if you change your mind, you know that starting over again is the price that you pay for the move. I never understood not going for a dream job. I know life never turns out the way that you want it to (from experience) but sometimes it turns out better than what you had planned. Apply for everything and take the job that you WANT if it is offered to you.

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Specializes in Peri-op/Sub-Acute ANP.

BTW, the OR is NOT low stress simply a different kind of stress. It is extremely fast-paced, technology driven, and case turnover times can burn out even the best of us. If you think you "sit at a computer all day" like some of the myths about the OR indicate, then you are going to be in for a very rude awakening.

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Thank you all for posting. I was thinking of doing a med-surg year just to have some kind of acute care experience in case I did move or like my prof said, it becomes too stressful with kids and being on call and I needed/wanted to change units. I do love the OR (had a clinical in the OR today in fact!!) and I believe I will apply for everything, and if I get it, I'll take it. And if not, I'll just stick out med-surg until I can transfer units. Thanks again everyone!

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Specializes in Only the O.R. and proud of it!.
BTW, the OR is NOT low stress simply a different kind of stress. It is extremely fast-paced, technology driven, and case turnover times can burn out even the best of us. If you think you "sit at a computer all day" like some of the myths about the OR indicate, then you are going to be in for a very rude awakening.

YES! Well said. I hate it when people think that OR nursing has no (or low) stress or the we do not use nursing skills. Do YOU want a monkey caring for your loved one in the operating room?

Sent from my iPad (so excuse any typos and autocorrects!!) using allnurses.com

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Specializes in Only the O.R. and proud of it!.

Also, I came to the OR straight out of nursing school. No regrets. I love it and I will be here until A) I retire or B) someone wins the lottery and gives it to me (I don't play). Oh. Ya. Or C) I die (either as a result of some undiagnosed pathological problem, or the OR kills me)

Sent from my iPad (so excuse any typos and autocorrects!!) using allnurses.com

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Thanks! I really do just want to be in the OR, nothing else has really struck a chord with me so far. Did you apply to a hospital that you were familiar with (like did clinicals or worked as a PCT)?

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Specializes in Only the O.R. and proud of it!.

When I graduated nursing school, none of the three hospitals in my area were hiring. I applied to (almost) every hospital in a 120 mile radius. As it so happens, I graduated when almost everyone was in one of those "tighten the buckle" phases. I found a hospital 90 miles from home that was looking for nurses in the OR and was willing to hire a new grad. I've been here almost 15 yeas now. I couldn't have made a better choice. Every institution has their positives and negatives. It is the people that you work with that make it worthwhile to come in or make you want to vomit.

Sent from my iPad (so excuse any typos and autocorrects!!) using allnurses.com

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