Med-Surg to Circulating Nurse?

WhoDatWhoDare, BSN, RN · Jul 14, 2017

Based on what you mention about working in each of the three areas, this might be in a standalone surgery center or some other ambulatory surgical site. I've only worked in hospitals, but have helped out our sister site (ASC) a few times when they were down a circulator. I much prefer working in my facility, but it might simply be because I was more familiar with the staff at my hospital, versus being the stranger in a facility a handful of times.

I would ask what their training program would entail since you are new to the OR. Learning the OR and the various services is quite a challenge and only gets more challenging when you're learning how to Preop and recover the patients as well.

brownbook · Jul 14, 2017

I agree with the above poster. I've worked a smallish acute care hospital pre and post op unit. And a large stand alone surgery center. I have never heard of OR circulators also doing pre and post op.

It sounds ideal to learn to circulate and do pre and post op, but honestly I can't figure how that would work? Get good clear answers about training, orientation, etc. Find out if you will need to take call.

I love working pre and post op. Never worked as a circulator but know enough to know circulating is really unique and different from med/surg and even pre and post op nursing.

BloomNurseRN, ASN, BSN, RN · Jul 14, 2017

Based on what you mention about working in each of the three areas, this might be in a standalone surgery center or some other ambulatory surgical site.

Actually it is an acute care environment but we are a smaller, critical access hospital so they like to have people cross trained for these positions. That's one major positive - I already know the people I would be working with and have a great professional relationship to start off with. Thanks for the response!

OR RN87 · Jul 16, 2017

Hi! I have almost three years of med-surg experience, and I recently went from med-surg to the OR. At my facility, which is a large, level one trauma hospital, nurses both scrub and circulate. Orientation is 9 months, so I am still in orientation. I personally emailed the OR manager and asked if I could shadow to see if it would be something that I would like. I highly recommend doing that because it was nothing like I got in nursing school. As for pros and cons, it depends on the person. I see only pros. I love the OR!!! I love the schedule, love the people, my manager and educators are amazing! Only con for me is that I didn't start earlier in my career. So, if you are interested and there are spots open, find out who the manager is. See if you can observe a day in the OR. For me, I observed and that same day, I applied for the job. Good luck to you!!

BloomNurseRN, ASN, BSN, RN · May 2, 2018

It's been almost 10 months since I posted this and thought I would update you all who were kind enough to respond. I did apply and interview for the position. Everything went perfect and I was the #1 choice of the staff for the position. Unfortunately/fortunately, there was a late applicant from an outside facility who had circulator experience and they went with that applicant to have someone trained faster. It all worked out though because there was a position through an Endoscopy department at a hospital within the same health network (closer to home even!). I applied, interviewed, and accepted the position all within about a 10 day period. It was definitely meant to be. I've been here almost 8 months now and it was definitely the right move. I'm still open to the idea of taking a circulating position some time in the future but right now I'm very happy where I am. Thanks for all of your input!

Editorial Team / Admin · May 3, 2018

Thank you for the follow-up, good it all worked out as it did!

Here's to a strong and positive work experience!