Med Surg vs OR as a New Grad, HELP!

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Hello All!

I've recently graduated nursing school and have interviewed at Beverly Hospital for a Med Surg floor and was offered a position. I also got a call from Valley Presbyterian hospital for their New Grad OR program, and I can't decide what I should lean towards. I've heard many say that new grads should start with Med Surg... and I've also heard that once an RN starts in the OR, it can be quite difficult to transfer to a different unit that involves patient care such as Med Surg, ER, or ICU.

Just wanted to get some guidance/advice. Also, the Med Surg position is a little over an hour away (which I'll be more than happy to make if I take this position), and the OR position is VERY close and pays about $10 more an hour. I know that money is not a deciding factor, neither is location... but these are factors that I am taking into consideration when I try to decide between the two. Thank you all for your help in advance!

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

Many opinions can be seen about new grads and med surg. I am of the opinion that if someone had a preferred specialty and is offered a position in that specialty, they should go for it.

As for OR nurses not being able to transfer to other departments, I have personally worked with many who have moved on to ICU, hospice, office settings, med surg, and several other areas. It really depends on the attitude and personality of the person making the specialty change and the support and orientation in the new unit.

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Specializes in Cardiology.

I agree with Rose. I started on a cardiac stepdown and Im glad I did. Im thinking about making the switch to OR as bedside is not for me. I dont think ICU is either.

Personally, I would at least get some med/surg experience and then go to the OR. That way you can practice your skills from nursing school and then when you want to leave the OR you can at least say you have floor experience.

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I will send you a PM. I have done rotations at VPH

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Specializes in Operating Room, CNOR.

I may be a little late to comment on this one but I've been in the OR for just over two years now, I had about 6 months of med-surg experience when I got the job. I don't feel that the med-surg experience really helped me to get the job or helps me in my every day duties now. In the last two years, I've seen more new grads do well and blossom into great Periop Nurses than experienced floor RNs. It really depends on you and what you want to do. I really struggled with being on a med-surg unit and was extremely unhappy. I'm very much more comfortable and happy with my hat and mask on.

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What did you decide? I would take the closer to home & more pay & med-surg jobs are a dime a dozen. OR can be hard to break in to. I am a new grad & started my first RN job in the OR in February. I am in a fellowship program. I am just now getting into the OR more. We had a lot of boring classroom.

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Hi OP,

What did you choose?? I'm guessing OR. Either way, congrats! If you chose Beverly can you please PM or comment about how work has been? I'm trying to find out more about the work culture at Beverly because I'm considering an offer. THANKS!!

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