Man, how do you get into OR? these are my hopeful ideas.

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Hello all, it's good to talk to you again this evening. I have been applying to specialties such as OR, cath, GI, post-op, etc, but my 1 yr exp is not taking me very far since "pay your dues" is an absolute truth in nursing. I would like to work in OR since I will work closely to doctors, not a bedside nursing, and I get to help to give immediate impact for patient's well-being; MS is just too slow and "gradual" for me.

I know that OR is very coveted, highly desired, and very privileged unit to work for, and therefore tougher to get into compared to other specialties or floors.

Here is my plan. I have about 2 months more to fill my 6 months mark to do internal transfer. I plan to find an OR nurse and ask for a friendly advice on who I need to talk to in order to get into OR. Upon meeting that person, I will explain how privileged spot an OR is, how much I yearn to work for physicians and patients, and the awesomeness of providing immediate betterment for patient through helping procedures. Then, I will take it from there.

I also see 2 friendly surgeons who regularly visit my unit; I don't think it's a very good idea to chat them up for a way into OR since I don't know them closely, but maybe a opportunity to shadow their surgery to get to know some people?? Anyways, throw me some tips to get into this operating room please, I really want to be a part of it. Thank you!

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The other types of nursing you mentioned: cath, post-op and GI procedures do require ICU skills. You will need to be able to understand the EKG on the monitor, be familiar with airways, and have knowledge of conscious sedation. These are ICU skills, and most nurses hired into these areas have previous ICU experience.

You might want to consider ICU as your "plan B" if OR does not work out. The skills you learn there can take you many other places.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

I am very happy to encounter a new grad who wants to work in Periop. It's not a very popular specialty these days. Probably because it's not a focus area in most nursing programs. In my neck of the woods, the 'oldest' (closest to retirement) group of nurses are in Periop, so finding qualified replacements is going to be a huge issue in the coming years. There's not much turnover, so most facilities don't have any mechanism to train new OR nurses. OR training programs are lengthy - usually at least 6 months - and expensive. Only the really large hospitals have formal training programs.

Be sure to connect with AORN in your area. They have information on relevant education and job openings.

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yes, lots of nurses in those areas tend to recommend me to get ICU experience first, but I am absolutely an ER person over ICU, for various reasons; I actually have ER as my "plan B" right now.

I will try to get in touch with AORN. Do they have group meeting or something like that?

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