New Grad Perioperative Nurse Residency Program - Advice?

DomLaki · Dec 27, 2013

I don't really have anything to say but Congratulations! I want to be an OR Nurse just like you! I'm currently starting my Pre-Nursing Courses. I hope to Grad Nursing School in 2017. But Congratulations.

Quendi · Dec 29, 2013

I am also very interested to hear about the experience of others in this respect. It is definitely a specialty I am considering. If you don't mind my asking, which schools residency program are you doing?

JillyRN · Dec 29, 2013

Congratulations! I can't speak for the experience of a new grad starting an OR program but I went through the program as an RN with 3 years of outside experience. I thought it was excellent since I had no prior experience in the OR. There is so much to learn and it takes a lot of time to become proficient so the longer the program the better. The only advice I can give is to take every opportunity they offer in regards to specialties and cases. If you see a craniotomy/CABG/trauma (etc) scheduled, ask to go observe it. If you aren't sure what is going on in a procedure, ask! (Use your judgement on timing though). No matter what specialty you end up, it helps to have exposure to everything. Good luck!

BostonRN13 · Dec 29, 2013

We have 12 new graduates in my OR currently. They are all doing quite well ! Each must learn to circulate and scrub in every service (General, Plastics, Neuro, GU, ENT, Ortho). The total orientation will be about 8 months for them. Congratulations to you!

Pros of being in OR:

-You have ONE patient to care for at a time.

-Real lunches and coffee breaks where you get to sit and relax without being harassed by family and or patients like on the floor

-Gaining knowledge of procedures and instrumentation and sterility

-Limited patient/family contact

-You don't need to buy scrubs!

Cons:

-Limited clinical experience. We occasionally start IVs (anesthesia resident or attending usually does it), never give medications (anesthesia). So you never really learn about meds as you would with floor nursing. We start foley but clinically that is it! Our focus is patient safety, positioning, maintaining sterile field and documentation and "party planning" making sure everyone shows up and consents are signed/patient is marked.

- At times long cases can be physically hard. I.e, if you have to wear a lead apron for a 5 hour spinal case (minus your 30 min lunch) you will feel it by the end of the day..

-Limited patient/family contact

ILUVFLRN · Dec 30, 2013

Thanks for the insight and best wishes. I am beginning my residency program with the University of Miami and am looking forward to a challenging as well as rewarding career as a OR registered nurse.

DomLaki · Dec 30, 2013

We have 12 new graduates in my OR currently. They are all doing quite well ! Each must learn to circulate and scrub in every service (General, Plastics, Neuro, GU, ENT, Ortho). The total orientation will be about 8 months for them. Congratulations to you!
Pros of being in OR:
-You have ONE patient to care for at a time.
-Real lunches and coffee breaks where you get to sit and relax without being harassed by family and or patients like on the floor
-Gaining knowledge of procedures and instrumentation and sterility
-Limited patient/family contact
-You don't need to buy scrubs!
Cons:
-Limited clinical experience. We occasionally start IVs (anesthesia resident or attending usually does it), never give medications (anesthesia). So you never really learn about meds as you would with floor nursing. We start foley but clinically that is it! Our focus is patient safety, positioning, maintaining sterile field and documentation and "party planning" making sure everyone shows up and consents are signed/patient is marked.
- At times long cases can be physically hard. I.e, if you have to wear a lead apron for a 5 hour spinal case (minus your 30 min lunch) you will feel it by the end of the day..
-Limited patient/family contact

I want to be an OR Nurse, my concerns for myself is nervousness how could I control it? I have hand tremors when I get nervous or put on the spot (having no clue what I'm doing) they kick in sometimes it's pretty bad. But if I'm passing something or say I was told to help plug a "leak up" with my finger apply pressure I'm usually okay (85% of the time) i won't tremor.

Another thing, all these things, as stated I REALLY want to be an OR Nurse, I'm okay with blood and guts, but sometimes it can get to me. I'm focused when I do stuff like working or studying. I was just wondering if you had any tips? Thanks.

Quendi · Dec 31, 2013

Thanks for the insight and best wishes. I am beginning my residency program with the University of Miami and am looking forward to a challenging as well as rewarding career as a OR registered nurse.

I had no idea that UM had a periop residency program! I live in South Florida. Congrats! UM is a great program.

ILUVFLRN · Dec 31, 2013

Dear CheesePotato,

A heartfelt thank you for your insight on what to expect as an OR nurse. The suggestions to make life a bit more comfortable in a very stressful and hectic environment are indelible and forever in my mind. I especially appreciate the advise on mint chewing gum – smells are definitely my weakness. God bless and may the New Year bring you good health and happiness. Thanks again for posting!

PS - My apologies for not replying to your private message - I am not considered a "seasoned" member yet - I am short a few posts!

efthimia519, ADN, BSN, MSN, RN · Nov 29, 2014

BostonRN13,

I am just north of Boston and will be completing the RN toBSN program at Salem State in May. I returned to school to actually help facilitate a transfer to OR nursing. I have over 15 years of nursing experience, mostly psych and community health. I am unable to find ANY residency or fellowships for nurses wanting to work in the OR, new grads or experienced. I see that your post is just about a year old now, would you be able to say if your employer still does the OR residency? thanks for any insight that you might be able to offer.

Editorial Team / Admin · Nov 29, 2014

BostonRN13,
I am just north of Boston and will be completing the RN toBSN program at Salem State in May. I returned to school to actually help facilitate a transfer to OR nursing. I have over 15 years of nursing experience, mostly psych and community health. I am unable to find ANY residency or fellowships for nurses wanting to work in the OR, new grads or experienced. I see that your post is just about a year old now, would you be able to say if your employer still does the OR residency? thanks for any insight that you might be able to offer.

I can't specifically answer your question, but in general, unless there are multiple open positions, my facility does not run their AORN Periop 101 orientation program. With the employment market the way it is, it is quite possible that facilities are doing away with these programs and choosing only to hire experienced OR nurses. And because that poster may not still be on the site, you may want to check directly with the HR departments of facilities where you are interested in working. If such residencies/programs are offered, it may only be at certain times during the year. They would be able to inform you when that is and possibly when positions will be posted.

efthimia519, ADN, BSN, MSN, RN · Nov 29, 2014

Hi Rose_Queen

thanks for the response. I do believe that you are right. The market here in the greater Boston area is so saturated that it is quite difficult to find ANY job. New Grads are having a tough time finding anything at all. This may in fact be what has happened with regard to these residency programs. I went to an open house last week at one of the big teaching hospitals in Boston and was actually able to meet and talk to the Nurse Manager in the OR and she said they are only hiring experienced OR nurses and won't be running any residency programs any time soon. I have tried contacting HR at all hospitals within an hour drive from me and it is almost impossible to get a human being to speak to you and when they do, the answer is always the same....experienced only. I (meaning my family and I) are considering a relocation. I am also looking into programs in North Carolina as well. We have contemplated a move before and this may be the time.