New Grad OR Nurse Position

woknblues · Nov 2, 2008

hi everyone, i have been viewing the discussions and news posted. this is my first time being on this site and i am excited to join in. i am a new grad and just passed my nclex in 10/08 . i have been searching for a job. my friend who already works in a hospital for many years told me that they are hiring new grads for or position as a scrub and circulating nurse. she told me that if i start working in the or it is my "free ticket" to go to any unit if i decided to leave or. what are your thought about that and will i get enough experience from or to go to other units or should i start with med-surg first? and can i advance after working in the or? any ideas or suggestions are greatly appreciated. thanks.

how interesting. i am only a 4th year bsn, but my rotations in the or seemed to be completely unrelated to what most people would consider "nursing" (whatever the heck that is:wink2:). i am sure you would not be hurt by it, but "free ticket"?? i can't see how or nursing right out of school is a benefit to branching out.

cwuthers · Nov 2, 2008

Congradulations on passing your boards! Now comes the hard part...getting a job. Are you interested in working in the OR? Having friends pass along good information about a job is certainly a plus but unless something is in writing you can't count on anything being a 'free ticket'. But inreality: a job is a job. Getting a job in a hospital does give you certain advantages in hearing about other hosital postings first... but definately doesn't gaurantee you a job! I would start with something you like. Being a new grad is hard enough! Good luck

labcat01, BSN, RN · Nov 2, 2008

She told me that if I start working in the OR it is my "free ticket" to go to any unit if I decided to leave OR.

This is completely untrue. An OR position will only qualify you to work in the OR. It won't teach you anything about skill development, assessments or time management. You won't know enough to transfer to L&D/ICU/TELE etc. If the OR is what you are interested in then go for it!!! If your true passion lies elsewhere then you should probably keep looking.

Just my :twocents: . Good luck!!!

jen7393 · Nov 2, 2008

Hi everyone, I have been viewing the discussions and news posted. This is my first time being on this site and I am excited to join in. I am a new grad and just passed my NCLEX in 10/08 . I have been searching for a job. My friend who already works in a hospital for many years told me that they are hiring new grads for OR position as a scrub and circulating nurse. She told me that if I start working in the OR it is my "free ticket" to go to any unit if I decided to leave OR. What are your thought about that and will I get enough experience from OR to go to other units or should I start with med-surg first? and can I advance after working in the OR? any ideas or suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thanks.

I would make sure that the OR is your passion before considering it. It is A LOT of information to learn. It is a different type of nursing. I would talk to as many nurses as you can that have had OR experience or are currently working in the OR. You MOST definitely use assessment, skills and time management skills. They are just not the same as "floor nursing". The focus is different.

I am a new grad and I have been working in the OR for 3 months. I come off orientation next week. I have learned more than I ever thought possible, in such a short time.

Good luck with your journey!!!!!