New Graduate Offered Position in OR w/Concerns

Specialties Operating Room

Published

Hello,

I will be graduating from nursing school as an RN in June of this year. I have been offered a position in our local hospital's OR. I'm extremely excited about the opportunity and fully intend on accepting the offer. As a freshman I went to the OR for an observational and absolutely loved the experience. So I feel that I would enjoy my job. However, I do have some concerns. I don't know that I want to work OR and nothing else for the rest of my life. I've read that once you join OR that people rarely leave. Why is that? Is it because they love the environment and the work so much that they have no desire to leave? Or is it because once you've worked in the OR it's difficult to get hired elsewhere? Also, I'm concerned that I will not have many opportunities to practice my learned skills working a position in the OR. Will this be the case? Will I not need many of the skills that I have learned in nursing school while working in the OR? I don't want to lose valuable skills that would be beneficial to me in other areas of nursing. I really want this opportunity but I don't want to corner myself in to one area. If you could help answer some of these questions I would greatly appreciate the input! Thanks! :)

MAL, RN

Did you get called for an interview? Do you mind if we exchanged emails so I can ask you a few questions? I am awaiting a call and haven't heard anything yet. My email is [email protected].

Thanks.

Lisa

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MAL, RN

Did you get called for an interview? Do you mind if we exchanged emails so I can ask you a few questions? I am awaiting a call and haven't heard anything yet. My email is [email protected].

Thanks.

Lisa

Hi Lisa,

Sorry it took me so long to respond.

Yes, I did get a call for an interview-- But it wasn't at Florida Hospital, not even in Orlando. I never applied for the GN-OR opening at Florida hospital...My interview went well, no OR specific questions, just "how are you gonna hande all this" "tell me about a tough experience"... But most of all---they wanted to get to know me personally and see if I was gonna be able to "hang" with their crowd. It was alot of fun actually.

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I graduate in May, and I've been telling everyone that I plan on going to CCU, or even Med Surg. However, after using a little critical thinking, the OR would probably be best for me. The advantages? Monday through Friday schedule, one call weekend a month. No overnight shift work! I'll be able to come home at 5 and help with the kids, attend Little league games, dance practices etc. Also, only have to take call on one major holiday a year. I've been in our OR since 2003, so I'm very comfortable with the MD's, staff and all the nuances that come with it.

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Where I work I can bid shift up on a medical floor to keep my nursing skill set! So i work in the OR and once or twice a month I'll pick up a shift on a medical or tele floor so I dont lose my skills :). When I do work up on the medical floor with 5 patients ..it really reinforces the fact that OR nursing is the bomb!

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I am awaiting an interview from a hospital for an OR/Pre-Op position (the hospital called to say they would call to schedule an interview..odd, but i was just happy to hear from them!). I am a new grad (Nov 2011), and I hadnt really considered OR nursing just because I did not spend much time there as a student. Reading these posts really increases my confidence that this position could be a great fit! I love the schedule, the people seem great and the job in general is just cool. I would be proud to say I am an OR nurse! Say a prayer for my interview. :)

One more thought...any tips for the interview process/OR tips in general? Thanks Ya'll!

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