Published Jan 28, 2018
AMM_5
29 Posts
I have a year and a half to go until I graduate nursing school, but I have been thinking of where I would like to work once I graduate. I am VERY interested in the ER and especially the OR & PACU, but do they hire new grads for the OR? Is there any special programs I can take over the summer to better my chances? I am just daydreaming about it all now of course since my main focus is just making it through the program, but I would like to have an idea for the path I need to take to make this happen.
Thank you!!
sallyrnrrt, ADN, RN
2,398 Posts
Normally I would say no......
But in 1972, when I graduated my RN program...one of my friends started in the oR......she was still there in 2011, when I had my last shoulder replacement...
It worked with new grads in ER, they actually did quite well....
I started out in CCU, major teaching hospital, and moonlighted in ER.......
I'm not sure that these speciality units don't, hone our critical thinking skills...
Maybe it's because I like to teach and bring a new graduate up to par.....as I know today's nursing programs do not have the clinical exposure, my diploma program did....
SaltySarcasticSally, LPN, RN
2 Articles; 440 Posts
I just got hired into the ER I did my final precepting in. I am basically a new grad, 7 months on a Tele floor. I had to leave the Tele job due to not enough hours, constantly being canceled. So I applied for the ER spot on a whim. What got me the interview was that I precepted there. So definitely try to get placed for that where you want to end up. Seems to be a good foot in the door.
Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN
6 Articles; 11,934 Posts
PACU is not a place for new grads- you would benefit from critical care experience and most job postings will outright require it.
OR will accept new grads in many places. OR nursing is such a foreign concept to most nursing specialties that even nurses with experience are pretty much on the same level as a new grad. It's also a speciality where you either hate it and get out ASAP or stay in it until retirement. There is really nothing you could do to help, as a good OR will provide a very thorough orientation- mine does 24 weeks with a 1 on 1 preceptor and an additional 8 solo in the room but with a nurse assigned to be a resource should issues arise.