New OR Nurse

[RNCaroline]

I just started as a new OR nurse. I worked on med-surg for 4 months, but that is all the experience I have since I just graduated last December. My ultimate goal is to work in the NICU. I took the position in the OR because it was the only open position for new grads and this is the hospital I really want to be at, plus it has a level 3 NICU. Through this program, I am going to get certified as an OR nurse.

My question is this: will I be able to get a job in the NICU after being in OR for a couple of years?

I know OR is very different than bedside nursing, so I don't want this to hinder my efforts to get to the NICU. I would love feedback from those with experience.

[TakeTwoAspirin, MSN, RN, APRN]

Make the most of where you are and do what you can to pad your resume with peds experience. Once you are done with training and orientation express a desire to be on the peds specialty team (if there is one) and take initiative to make changes in the OR that will make the environment more conducive to peds patients and their families. Get creative and document everything on your CV so that you can demonstrate going the extra mile for kids by developing kid-friendly programs within your current environment.

[RNCaroline]

thank you! At the least I plan to get certified in ACLS and PALS, but unfortunately there is not currently a pediatric team. I can choose to specialize in something like ENT surgeries that would have more peds cases, but I'm hoping things like that will be enough. Thanks for the advice! :)