Newbie Needing advise

[MedicGA]

:monkeydance: Hello,

I graduate with my RN in June and have interviewed for two positions so far. I really want to work in the OR, but several nurses have told me that I should start out in Med/Surg, that I'm boxing myself in by going straight to the OR. What advise can you give me?

MedicGA

[gt4everpn, BSN, RN]

Start small and work your way up, even if you know or think your capable of going straight into OR. Better to be safe than sorry- so to speak. You want to be sure you know all of the basics that u can before throwing yourself into uncharted/unknown territory. BUT, if you really feel you can tackle OR without a doubt go for it! Good Luck, whatever you do!:wink2:

[meownsmile, BSN, RN]

I agree if you think you want to go into OR,, do med/surg first for a while. Most facilities would want you to anyway just to gain some experience. The OR and the actions/attitudes of some docs in surgery itself would scare the begeebers out of a new grad. They are just protecting you a bit until you get comfortable in your role as RN.

[nursynurseRN]

Well, I work in med/surg right now I have been there about 7 years, I work with OR nurses everyday. OR nurses do not have good time managment skills, they don't understand the the floor works. They bring up patients within 5 minutes of giving report and expect the floor nurses to drop everything. I think experience on a med/surg floor will help you with time mangement and help you understand the broad spectrum. In OR you specialize in one area, Med/surg gives you a little of everything. Another thing is preop nurses need to educate thier pateints when they get postop to know what to expect. I don't know how many pateints I get that say they didn't expect this type of pain and that they have to get out of bed so soon after surgery to improve recovery.

[ginger58, ASN, RN]

My first job was the OR and I didn't find it a problem going back to M-S. You're either going to like OR and stay for a long time or you won't like it and go on to med-surg or whatever.

[jjjoy, LPN]

Start small and work your way up,

As if med-surg is "starting small" ?!?! High nurse-patient ratios, a wide variety of disorders to work with and learn about, a high turnover of patients (several new admits/discharges each day), and patients that are only slightly more stable than those on critical care units...

[confused101]

I agree if you think you want to go into OR,, do med/surg first for a while. Most facilities would want you to anyway just to gain some experience. The OR and the actions/attitudes of some docs in surgery itself would scare the begeebers out of a new grad. They are just protecting you a bit until you get comfortable in your role as RN.

Yeah about the MD's. That is why I can't do OR. Can't get yelled at all the time or think that they are God themselves.

[talondora1]

While one can get alot of great experience in Med/Surg, I must disagree with the advice of going there first. The O.R. environment is nothing like Med/Surg. The need for O.R. nurses is great. Both fields have merit, but you should go where you want to be. You won't regret going where you feel led. You can always switch later. Do what is right for you, not what someone tries to talk you into.