new grad in ambulatory surgery center? what do you think

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I'm a new grad and was offered a position at a private ambulatory care surgery center specializing in ophthalmology. I was told that I would be trained in pre-op/op/post-op. I'm afraid that it's too specialized and that I will end up losing the nursing skills that I went to school for. It's so hard for new grads to find a hospital job nowadays (which is where I really want to be). Will taking this position limit me from moving on to somewhere else after I get my experience? Any suggestions, comments? Thanks

Im a new grad and i'm looking for a job in ambulatory surgery..You should take it especially it's hard to find a job right now.

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Specializes in Emergency, Cardiac, PAT/SPU, Urgent Care.

I say go for it! Most eye surgeries (especially those done in ambulatory sites) are done with minimal sedation and topical anesthesia, so the risk of life-threatening complications are very minimal. I also imagine that a position like that might be Monday through Friday with no weekends/holidays which is golden in nursing!!!

I am a new NP who was hired for the short-procedure unit of a hospital and I am learning a ton. I am so happy that I was offered this position. We handle some eye cases such as cataract removal and retina surgery and those patient are typically older, have many co-morbidities, but are easy to handle because the surgery is so low-risk.

Best wishes with your decision!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

Camaronurse is dead on. I came to an ASC with alot of Med/Surg experience under my belt, but no PACU, ICU or ED experience. Any or all of those would have helped me at first. Another issue might be the size of the center. If you're processing 75 patients daily, all areas are under the gun to be quick in assessment, treatment, education and discharge. However, the fact that the ASC specializes in eyes will likely alleviate some of that intensity.

Keep in mind that as insurance reimbursements and our healthcare insurance climates continue to evolve, those ambulatory surgery centers aren't necessarily limiting themselves to ambulatory patients. I've seen trached patients, even a vent or 2 come thru. I've seen demented, contracted and nonverbal patients come thru. There is a wealth of experience to be had in the ASC.

And finally, expect to be spoiled...no week-ends, no holidays is easy to get used to.

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Camaronurse is dead on. I came to an ASC with alot of Med/Surg experience under my belt, but no PACU, ICU or ED experience. Any or all of those would have helped me at first. Another issue might be the size of the center. If you're processing 75 patients daily, all areas are under the gun to be quick in assessment, treatment, education and discharge. However, the fact that the ASC specializes in eyes will likely alleviate some of that intensity.

Keep in mind that as insurance reimbursements and our healthcare insurance climates continue to evolve, those ambulatory surgery centers aren't necessarily limiting themselves to ambulatory patients. I've seen trached patients, even a vent or 2 come thru. I've seen demented, contracted and nonverbal patients come thru. There is a wealth of experience to be had in the ASC.

And finally, expect to be spoiled...no week-ends, no holidays is easy to get used to.

I like the idea of no weekends, no holidays.... but then again pay isn't as good as the hospital and very little OT.

The surgery is small, i don't think they have 75 pts daily. I hope they expand in the future so I can see patients in other specialties! I'm really hoping to learn a lot from this position :yeah: now that I have a job... I'm nervous!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

A little bit of anxiety is a good thing! It keeps you on your toes. I would worry about a new grad in a new job who had no nervousness.

Don't worry. You must be very qualified to find a position in this nursing economy:yeah:, and no doubt you will work hard and do well!

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Specializes in psych, general, emerg, mash.

your a rookie..yes!

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So to update, the employer gave me a package that includes an application, HIPPA info, physical form...etc. We've discussed the salary & some of the benefits during the interview but I don't see it written anywhere in the package.

Is this normal in a private ASC/private office.. etc type setting? do you think I should ask for a written version of it?

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Specializes in psych, general, emerg, mash.

yes, this day and age, everything in writing! for your comfort and benefit!

IF during the course of duty, you get injured (back strain), ALWAYS file a report, no matter how trivial YOU may think

it is!

you WILL learn a lot! which is to your benefit. Always keep an open mind to learning new stuff.

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Specializes in cardiac, ICU, education.

You probably are not going to get anything in writing. Nobody gets a contract in this day in age except for doctors, lawyers, money market personnel and the like. You don't want things in writing either. Most of the time your obligations in a contract are slighted toward the employer anyway. When I owned my business I never provided employees a contract and it saved a lot of headaches. If you get hurt you are covered by state laws regardless of the profession. If you get fired after your probationary period you will get unemployment so there is really nothing else to ask for.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

Go for the job (wait, you already went for it ;) ). You'll learn a lot, gain good experience, and find that you'll probably be able to keep a lot of your nursing skills up. And besides, if you are concerned about your skills in the future and feel they do need brushing up, you could always go for a refresher course.

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Hi Everyone! So an update to the job.. It has been a week already and I've learned a lot in terms of paperwork, medications, inserting IVs ...etc. I'm a bit worried to be thrown in the OR after 1-2 weeks training (which my boss was implying). I'm a new grad and know nothing about ASC and I'm a bit worried about such short informal training.

Other than that, I'm glad I found a job!

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Congrats! Take a deep breath, everything will work out just fine. You are lucky to land such a position. I would trade with you any day. I work in a Family Practice clininc and I don't like the job as much - would rather be doing what you are doing! Good luck to you!!!!

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