New LPN Grad who wants to work in the OR

[thompr2000]

Hello all,

Im a new LPN Grad in WA state who has found his niche in life in the OR during my clinical rotations but have come to the sad realization Im not qualified to work in an OR, or just can't find anyone willing to deal with a new grad. Does anyone have any ideas of positions I should look out for that I could work my way up in an OR setting to gain experience or what classes I should try and take to better my skills so I can be a Scrub Nurse some day???? I plan on getting my RN in a year or so but I really want to start working now.

Thanks for any help or advice in advance,

Thom

[HealingHands327]

Hey there !

I share your passion to work in the OR. However as far as I know, LPN's do not work in the OR, only RN's do in terms of nurses. Even as an RN, you need further training by the hospital to become an OR nurse. As far as I know, you will have to first obtain your RN license, and have some experience as a regular nurse, before any hospital will allow you to work in the OR.

[Jules A, MSN]

Hey there !

I share your passion to work in the OR. However as far as I know, LPN's do not work in the OR, only RN's do in terms of nurses. Even as an RN, you need further training by the hospital to become an OR nurse. As far as I know, you will have to first obtain your RN license, and have some experience as a regular nurse, before any hospital will allow you to work in the OR.

Maybe things are different in different states but I know of quite a few LPNs that work as Surgical Technicians in the OR. I'm a big fan of the OR also and happen to think that the Techs really got it going on. Much of the RNs stuff is paperwork while the techs are right there with their hands in it.

Anways it would be unlikely that they would hire an inexperienced LPN for an OR position. I'm not sure how hard it is to get into a RN bridge program where you are but here the 1 year Surg Tech programs aren't as back logged so that might be a way to get your foot in the door if you aren't able to get in RN school right away. Granted it might be a bit of a sideways step but in the big picture could be great experience and a foot in the door. Good luck, Jules

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

probably does differ by state, but around here, you won't find an LPN in the OR in any capacity. Sometimes, only sometimes, I've heard of new RN grads being offered spots, but they've been few and far between and for very specific roles, until they get enough time under their belts to diversify.

RNs who have worked in med-surge or cardiac for awhile have been taken in happily, however. Just a thought.

[SCRN1]

I have a sister-in-law who started out as a scrub tech before she went on to become an RN. Even after becoming a nurse, she still always scrubbed in and assisted with the surgeries instead of working as a circulating nurse but got the pay of an RN. Maybe you'll want to consider something like that?