Looking to shadow an OR nurse in Chicago

[VMarie84]

Hi everyone,

I am a new graduate nurse working in L&D. I really enjoyed the job at first but now i'm convinced it is not for me. I have had the opportunity to work as a circulator in the OR during c-sections and I love the OR. Everything about it fascinates me. I will be applying to some OR jobs but before I do I wanted to shadow an OR nurse for some more experience (other than c-sections). I have called several HR departments asking about any shadowing opportunities they have but they all tell me the same thing, "You have to know a Dr or nurse that is willing to let you follow them." Unfortunately, I don't know any. I would ask at my current facility but the OR manager is friends with my manager and I don't want them to make any speculations. I really don't want to burn any bridges there. Are there any OR nurses in Chicago willing to let me shadow? Any suggestion are also highly appreciated. Thanks!

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

Have you asked to shadow in the OR of your current facility? Many facilities have strict requirements to be allowed to shadow, such as being a student assigned for clinicals, an orientee observing the types of surgeries that will be in their unit post op, an interviewee being considered, etc. it may not be as easy as just finding a random person to say they'll let you shadow them.

[VMarie84]

I have not asked about shadowing in my current facility simply because the OR manager is a friend of my own manager. If my manager were to ask me questions about why I want to shadow on another unit I wouldn't be prepared with an answer. I'm sure her first assumption would be that i'm trying to leave OB. I don't want to cause any complications for myself as I am still new.