New grad wants OR...or psych

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I'm currently an RN with <1 year experience. I'm really interested in working in the OR or psych. I'd like to apply for positions within the hospital I already work at. I was looking into certifications, but some require at least 2 years of work experience. Are there any certifications or classes I can take now to make my application stand out to transition into my dream role?

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2 Answers

Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.

Congratulations on graduating, passing the NCLEX, and landing your first job!  

Here are my thoughts on your situation. Given that you've been an RN for under a year and are contemplating a switch to two distinctly different specialties, you risk appearing indecisive to hiring managers.

In addition, diving into a specialized area prematurely can lead to drawbacks. If you were to focus on behavioral health, I'd be concerned you might feel confined to that field later. Getting back into acute care could be challenging.

Likewise, dedicating substantial training to the OR is beneficial only if you are sure it is the right path.

It would be wise to take enough time to know what you want.

Know Yourself

If you are drawn to behavioral health's emotional and interpersonal work,  will you be satisfied in the sterile OR environment with minimal patient contact? Conversely, if you are drawn to the precise and technical aspects of the OR, will you be comfortable in the unpredictable, chaotic behavioral health environment?

 Consider arranging shadowing experiences in both areas. OR training is extensive and demanding. Be sure it's your desired path before taking up your educator's and others' time. Training is not beneficial if you do not plan to commit long-term.

Certification

As far as being certified, certification is not a prep course to get you started in a specialty; it's a demonstration of expertise and mastery of a specialty.  By definition, you cannot master a specialty without clinical experience.

You can easily find continuing education modules on all subjects. 

Take Time

I know the possibilities you see for yourself are exciting. And they are! But there's no need to rush. You have so much to learn. Why don't you give yourself the gift of time and stay where you are for a year?

I wish you the best, whatever you decide.

Nurse Beth

 

 

Specializes in Psychiatric and Mental Health NP (PMHNP).

The last semester of my BSN program, there was an internal job fair for positions for new grads at the university teaching hospital our school was affiliated with.  One of the recruiters was looking for OR nurses, new grads welcome.  The hospital surgery department had an intensive training program for new grad OR nurses and they needed RNs.  One of my classmates went into the program and loved it.  However, this department was very clear that if someone started the program, they were expected to finish it and work in the OR for a certain period of time.  Not doing so would result in a lot of burned bridges.  (This hospital was the largest hospital and outpatient provider in the entire state).

As for psych, if you are truly interested, then apply.  A lot of psych departments need RNs, too.  Be very sure you want to do psych, as this can be very emotionally draining.  (I'm a psych NP). 

I don't believe everyone has to be a med-surg RN first before moving into other specialties.  

As Nurse Beth touched on, please be sure of what you want to do before applying to other positions.

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