New rn wants to become "or " nurse

Nurses General Nursing

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HEY EVERYONE!

I AM A NEW GRADUATE NURSE THAT WANTS TO KNOW HOW CAN I BECOME AN OPERATING ROOM NURSE. DO YOU HAVE TO HAVE CERTAIN CREDENTIALS OR CAN YOU JUST BE TRAINED TO WORK THERE? :banghead: I HAVE BEEN AN LPN FOR 5 YEARS IN LTC.MOST HOSPITALS PREFER RN'S TO LPN'S. THOUGHT ABOUT GOING TO MED-SURG OR ER BEFORE TRYING TO GO INTO THE OR. ANY SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.:saint:

Specializes in Operating Room.

You said you were a graduate nurse...I took this to mean you just finished your RN program, correct? Your next step is to contact hospitals and ask if they do an internship/training program for OR nursing. Many hospitals will take new grads.

The orientation for OR nursing is a long one..it can range from 6 months to a year, especially if you have no prior OR experience(ie as a surgical tech) I was a surg tech before I was a nurse and my orientation was still about 8 months.

Before, many places would require previous time spent on the floors but in most places, this is no longer the case. It will require some research and determination to find the places that will take you into a program. Good luck!

Ps..as far as credentials. Most of the RNs in my OR are ADNs or Diploma nurses.BSN isn't required. There is a credentialing exam but you have to put in 2 years before you can take it.

thanks for the information I found it quite helpful and will take your advice and contact the areas hospitals

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