Main OR to Med Surg

mamamiah · Jun 21, 2014

Are there any Main OR nurses who have transferred to MED Surg? What was your experience like? I feel that my skills are lost. I feel the need to make a change to MedSurg. I am scared though. Advice on how or what I should do?

CTRN'11 · Jun 21, 2014

I am in the same exact boat as you! I've worked in the Main OR for almost two years and I feel like I've lost all knowledge and skills of real nursing. I'm stagnant and bored in the OR. I interviewed for a medical floor position and they told me they would treat me as a new grad on orientation. I think that is totally appropriate since it's been 3 years since nursing school. I am also interested to hear from other nurses who made the switch from the OR to Med/Surg!

mamamiah · Jun 23, 2014

I can't say that I am bored. I love what I do and I know that I am making a difference. With that being said when it comes to the nursing skills aspect of it I also feel that I've lost nursing skills. I want to make that move, but what it boils down to, I am scared. There I've said it. I've worked in surgery for 17 yrs and I've been a nurse for over 6 yrs. I suppose what I should do is speak to a nurse recruiter at a local hospital and see what my options are. I am relieved other nurses are in the same boat.

CTRN'11 · Jun 23, 2014

I am also very scared. I just got a job offer today from a med surg floor and I am so nervous but I know that if I want to advance my career without going into management (which i feel is the only way up in the OR) I will have to make this leap! They told me I will be treated, in regards to orientation, as a new grad and I totally agree. I never thought I would go into med surg because during nursing school I did not like it at all. I shadowed on the floor and I loved it. The people I met were so nice and I felt like I was actually taking care of people instead of just running around grabbing things for the surgeon.

martymoose, BSN, RN · Jul 2, 2014

Just wondering- why would anyone want to go from OR to med surg?

Is it really such a bad thing to not"use your skills?"

I suppose if the docs treat you like a jerk in the OR I understand.

But Docs treat us all like crap in med surg too.

You really don't want to trade not having to deal with family members all day, do you?

I suppose if you really feel the need to use your skills, wherever you get hired should have a resource nurse/precepter for you.

CTRN'11 · Jul 2, 2014

I actually accepted an offer on an intermediate care/step down unit. A big reason I am leaving the OR is because if I ever want to advance my career and go back to school I can't really do that with only OR experience unless I want to go into management.

mamamiah · Jul 2, 2014

On the contrary, I have nothing but good things to say when working with or surgeons. I have worked there for quite a while and we work well together. I still deal with family members, but not all day long as you mentioned. I understand the nursing care received after surgery is a continuation of what we do. With that being said, I am fulfilled knowing that what we've done for our patients is complete. I do miss the fact that I didn't expand on the skills I have now. I am in the process of going back to school as well and in knowing that, management isn't something that isn't of interest to me. I would like to eventually teach the clinical aspect of what we do in the OR. Yes, I hope to venture out and be precepted.