New grad in OR?

Specialties Operating Room

Published

Hi!

I am gonna be graduating in 3 weeks. From the beginning of school, I thought I wanted to work in the OR. I interviewed last week, and some how became all nervous to start in the OR. I have no doubt that I will enjoy it, but wonder if I will spend my whole career there. I truly doubt that. That is the great thing about nursing, you can do lots of things.

So my question is...if I start in the OR, will I have problems going to other departments? Would I be better off getting some time in med/surg first?

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Specializes in Tele, OR.

I thought the same thing but I have met other nursing and OR managers who say you dont have to do floor nursing to do OR. it's all about what you want.

I turned down a OR position in Feb 06 and just today I accepted a position at another place in the OR. I think I am going to LOVE it. ( by the way it's $3.00 more an hour) than the first job offer

Good luck on what ever you choose

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I think- from my own self and from what I've seen in OR co-workers- that even if you do several years of med-surg or other specialty then go to the OR (or other specialty unit) for several years you will not have any more of a head start getting readjusted to med-surg when you return than a nurse who just went straight to the OR then switched to MS later. Get what I mean? I work with a lot of OR nurses who would never survive a day in med-surg, etc, including the ones who used to do it all the time. No biggie, if you decide you want to do MS or long term care or L&D 6 years down the road, chances are good someone will be willing to train you as long as you have the right attitude and you'll pick it up if you want to!

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Thanks to both of you for posting. It was great to hear! MissJoRN made an excellent point... no matter where you go you get a certian type of experience. And then it is like starting over if you want to go back to a place you have been. It was really great to hear.

I just don't think that my heart would be in med/surg if I started there. And I can se burnout being a factor there for me if I don't want to be there.

kyd007rn - congrats on your job offer and more money. I hope you get the respect that you deserve there.

I truly appreciate the contributions from both of you. I have more confidence now, and feel I can make an informed decision.

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