My Dream: OR Nurse

Crux1024 · Jul 4, 2007

Being that youll be an RN, look into getting you RNFA instead of your SFA. (Honestly, not exactly sure what the difference is)

Definately look into internships and externships if your hospital offers them. You really get a feel for the OR during these things, and the OR had gotten lots of nurses to apply for the Perioperative Nursing Class just off of their experiences from externships. You might get to scrub, which will be fun for you, and get in good with the OR staff and possibly management. Good Luck!!

passionate · Jul 5, 2007

SFA is a term for a surgical technician who is certified in first assisting. RNFA is a nurse that is a registered nurse/licensed, CNOR and BSN prepared. All of the nurses I know who became RNFAs were experienced in OR nursing before becoming an RNFA. Get to know the ropes of the OR first. Do everything you can from mopping the floor to scrub/circulating, picking cases, SPD--anything that will give you a bigger picture before you specialaize within the OR. I found that by doing it all I do pitch in and can work as a REAL team member--especially during those fast turnover cases. Enjoy--hope you like the OR alot, we need more and more!!!

passionate · Jul 17, 2007

Hey Heaverboo--in re-reading your posting I just noticed something. You spelled "facinates" as "fasinates", get it? You are already thinking in terms of types of tissue--fascia. You are the OR of the future. Congrats and good luck!!! Good OR nurses are needed!!!

CDNORRN · Jul 17, 2007

I don't think that it's difficult to get into any specialty in the US. By taking a glance at the postings for travel positions you'll see just how much need there is. When I worked as a traveller, I could go to almost any location in the entire US and have a job. If you really think the OR is where you want to be, then follow that and not waive. Many will try to deter you by saying you need floor experience etc....I've heard it all. Keep an open mind, put your emotions and sensitive side in your back pocket and I think you'll do well. It can be a tough place to work but brings more satisfaction day to day than any other job in the hospital (my personal belief). Are you flexible in job location? If so, the world is your oyster. You post Richmond, VA as your home. You have a wealth of hospitals both there and your surrounding area, up into DC for job opportunities. I have a friend in ICU and he's back for a 3rd assignment. They are begging him to stay. So the jobs are there. Find a hospital with a preceptor program and run with it! I've never regretted it. Have fun!

P.S. The RNFA will make more sense once you see the role in action. Plus you need to be CNOR certified which takes 2years experience. One step at a time.

passionate · Jul 19, 2007

To become a CRNFA you will need your BSN

Chaoticdreams33, MSN, RN · Jul 27, 2007

I don't think that it's difficult to get into any specialty in the US. By taking a glance at the postings for travel positions you'll see just how much need there is. When I worked as a traveller, I could go to almost any location in the entire US and have a job. If you really think the OR is where you want to be, then follow that and not waive. Many will try to deter you by saying you need floor experience etc....I've heard it all. Keep an open mind, put your emotions and sensitive side in your back pocket and I think you'll do well. It can be a tough place to work but brings more satisfaction day to day than any other job in the hospital (my personal belief). Are you flexible in job location? If so, the world is your oyster. You post Richmond, VA as your home. You have a wealth of hospitals both there and your surrounding area, up into DC for job opportunities. I have a friend in ICU and he's back for a 3rd assignment. They are begging him to stay. So the jobs are there. Find a hospital with a preceptor program and run with it! I've never regretted it. Have fun!
P.S. The RNFA will make more sense once you see the role in action. Plus you need to be CNOR certified which takes 2years experience. One step at a time.

Thank you! Every time I mention the OR it seems like everyone is against it because I am a new grad RN. I am going to the OR again for a whole shift with the nurse next week and I can't wait. I'm pretty sure that I am the only one who knows what is right for me, no matter what other people might say. The thing that I am worried about is that I won't have any floor experiece- well 2 months doesn't really count. But what does that matter if I never want to do acute care on the floor anyway?

ewattsjt · Jul 28, 2007

take one step at a time. it is good to set goals but become a good or nurse before going for something like assisting.

clarification of assisting titles:

first assisting or surgical assisting is the same thing. the titles are different according to whom they are earned from. rns are rnfa and crnfa

you may go to this link for the aorn position http://www.aorn.org/practiceresources/aornpositionstatements/position_rnfa/ for rns, you will go through the competency & credentialing institute (cci). www.cc-institute.org

the main thing is you have to have your cnor first. you will have to be an rn, with 2 years of service in the or related field(s) and have 2,400 hours in the field. both part time and full time are accepted as long as the requirements are met. to be eligible to sit for exam.

registered nurse first assistant (rnfa) is an rn with cnor who completes an rnfa program accepted by the cci.

certified registered nurse first assistant is an rn with a bachelors or masters, who completed an rnfa program accepted by the cci, has 2,000 hours first assisting, and passes the certification test.

the non nursing surgical assistants and first assistant fields are cst/cfa (with the ast www.ast.org ), csa (with nsaa www.nsaa.net ) and sa-c (with absa www.absa.net ).

all the above mentioned assisting roles require 2 to more years of assisting.

TracyB,RN, RN · Jul 28, 2007

It's not that hard to get into, depending on your area. Some hospitals have new grad programs. Some don't.

The ONLY reasons I would ever recommend floor experience first, is so you are comfy in your own skin as a nurse & have developed some of the skills required for dealing with people. OR nursing is like no other. Some people seem to think it's a purely technical job. It's more than just technical skills. We have even LESS time to develop a total & complete trust with our patients. We are responsible for that patient while they are unconcious, sedated, intubated, exposed, etc and being able to QUICKLY prioritize and advocate 100% for that patient.

Don't get me wrong... new grads can do quite well in the OR & probably better than some well-seasoned staff members...

I just think it's a bit helpful if you already are confident putting in a foley (for some cases), cramming a pt assessment & interview into about 3 minutes, and being able to stand up for yourself & your patient when the surgeon is screaming at you about the schdeuling error that you had no control over, LOL. Add to this, the joy of sometimes being the licensed person in the room that is responsible for the actions of your unlicensed scrub person (one who is NOT a CST or LPN) NO OFFENSE... just trying to prove a point about being able to effectively manage self, others, pt care, etc....

ewattsjt · Jul 28, 2007

Do what you want to do. What is in your heart? There is a big difference between the floor and surgery. Some docs are mean no matter where they are and others are some of the nicest people you will ever meet.

See if you can observe some more in the OR. Most managers would love to have you!!!! Maybe this will help you.

badz · Jul 30, 2007

Wow what a great dream!!!I think if one wants to become an OR Nurse he/she must have strong feet power, hehehe, I think everyone knows that!!!.OR for me is very interesting!!!I love its stark appearance as people described it but I don't think my feet can endure the required time of staying there when an operation is to be performed!.Honestly speaking I love and idolized OR Nurses but my dream is to be a Forensic Nurse someday!!!Goodluck to those who want to be an OR Nurse someday!!!You have a good choice,hehehe, good salary awaits you!!!

RN Zeke · Jul 30, 2007

I spoke with a rather large teaching hospital last week. They are taking new ORRN's only once a year and that is about three months away. OUCH! I don't want to wait for that particular opening so I'm job shopping again.