Need help on deciding to take an OR internship

suzanne4, RN · Apr 8, 2005

I would go with the facility that offers you the best preceptorship when you are just beginning. Once you finish your OR training, there is nothing to say that you can't work in both areas..............I actually do and even more areas. It helps considerably having that OR experience behind you...........

But you need to do what feels right for you................ :)

audreyttu · Apr 8, 2005

Thanks for the advice.

Toby's mum · Apr 8, 2005

I was offered an OR internship at a trauma level 2 hospital, but am also interested in ER. I also recently recieved an offer from a trauma level 1 hospital for the ER. I like the OR internship's hospital better, its location, and their OR staff, but am not positive I want to stay in the OR forever, how easy is it to transfer from OR to ER after working for a couple years? Or do you suggest I work in the ER first and then, if I want, transfer to OR?

See if you can shadow an OR nurse for a day or two during your ER internship. That way you can cover both to see what interests you more.

I applied for an OR intership too, but was told there would be a lot of standing around--so I decided to shift gears and seek a CCU internship and requested a couple of days shadowing a CRNA, since that's my long term goal. They were really nice about helping me accomplish this goal. So I'm going to get great exposure and experience in the CCU AND have my days shadowing a CRNA. I have to also say, however, that my mom was an OR nurse so I am already pretty familiar with what a circ/scrub nurse does in the OR.

They usually are pretty good about helping you meet your goals. Since you've been offered both places--I'd say you have a very good chance at accomplishing both to some extent.

suzanne4, RN · Apr 8, 2005

See if you can shadow an OR nurse for a day or two during your ER internship. That way you can cover both to see what interests you more.
I applied for an OR intership too, but was told there would be a lot of standing around--so I decided to shift gears and seek a CCU internship and requested a couple of days shadowing a CRNA, since that's my long term goal. They were really nice about helping me accomplish this goal. So I'm going to get great exposure and experience in the CCU AND have my days shadowing a CRNA. I have to also say, however, that my mom was an OR nurse so I am already pretty familiar with what a circ/scrub nurse does in the OR.
They usually are pretty good about helping you meet your goals. Since you've been offered both places--I'd say you have a very good chance at accomplishing both to some extent.

Alot of standing around???? I would love to know where that OR is. I usually don't get more than a couple of minutes ot sit and that is just finishing up the charting. And it dependson the role. The circulator needs to be constantly aware of what is going on at the table, not sitting in the back reading or doing anything else...........they need to be aware of everything, eyes in the back of their head most of the time..............

KrisRNwannabe · Apr 9, 2005

I agree you should shadow a OR nurse and a ER nurse. I always thought I would like the OR. after a day of observing I thought otherwise. it is whole different kind of nursing. observe both then make a decision.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Apr 9, 2005

Alot of standing around???? I would love to know where that OR is. I usually don't get more than a couple of minutes ot sit and that is just finishing up the charting. And it dependson the role. The circulator needs to be constantly aware of what is going on at the table, not sitting in the back reading or doing anything else...........they need to be aware of everything, eyes in the back of their head most of the time..............

I think maybe they meant as an intern standing around, not as a circulator.

suzanne4, RN · Apr 9, 2005

I think maybe they meant as an intern standing around, not as a circulator.

Thanks........... :)

grimmy, RN · Apr 9, 2005

i think maybe they meant as an intern standing around, not as a circulator.

regardless, as a new nurse in the or, i stood around for maybe 3 days...after that, i was off running! i think a lot depends on the program. some are better than others, different requirements over time. i imagine some people stand around, but they don't last long. :chuckle

TracyB,RN, RN · Apr 12, 2005

I got to stand around as a newbie in the OR, for my first 30 seconds... It's been pretty much non-stop since then.