Published Mar 18, 2017
CVORnurse123
4 Posts
Hello, I recently just passed nursing school and passed the NCLEX. I was eager to start working so I applied to every job I could find online. Weather I qualified or not. I was just offered a job in the CVOR ( cardiovascular operating room). This is a first time the unit has hired a new nurse straight out of school with no experience. Any tips or suggestions? Or words of encouragement? I've been working there for about a month and I have my good and bad days. I really really love it, but some days I feel like it's too much for me and they are expecting so much from me
Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN
6 Articles; 11,936 Posts
What is your orientation structure? Do they have you going through AORN Periop101 or a similar class? Keep in mind that in general it takes about a year to feel competent as a nurse, and the OR has an incredibly steep learning curve since it's one that students get very little to no exposure to in school. Head on over to the OR forum, and check out the threads under the FAQ and Articles tabs.
TheCommuter, BSN, RN
102 Articles; 27,612 Posts
Moved to the Operating Room Nursing forum.
For right now they just have me following one of the nurses. There has been talk about them sending me to a periop course at another hospital but I believe they are waiting to get it approved
Boomer MS, RN
511 Posts
Congratulations on your new job!I am glad to see that RoseQueen has piped in.She is an excellent resource for you.
Any new grad experiences a steep learning curve, and the specialty units add another variable, especially if you probably had little to no exposure in school. Having good and bad days is the norm. I would advise you to keep a good attitude first and foremost. You are there to learn and soak up everything, and I mean everything. Good preceptors and educators will push and challenge you, sometimes to your dismay. One step at a time...it's all doable. Another advantage to being an OR nurse is that they are always in great demand. I have several experienced OR friends who have been able easily go volunteer and go oversees.
I an only imagine how interesting your new position will be. Have fun and good luck.
Thank you for your kind words. I do have my good and bad days. I just try to constantly remind myself that I'm "learning" and that everything will take " time" . I really love my job, I just hope I can be the type of nurse that they need me to be