NewGrad OR prgm mistake?

LuRN11 · Nov 20, 2016

Hey all,

So I'd really love to hear your opinions! I have the chance to start off as a new grad in the OR.

I think my biggest concern is, if I don't end up liking it...how hard will it be for me to transfer out to another unit like say the Emergency Department, or Pediatrics?

I've heard that other specialties don't respect the work OR nurses do and often say that the skills don't transfer well.

I don't want to be looked over because I was in the OR. And before you answer, know that I do know it's hard intense work in the OR. I've just "heard" other specialties think it's so different it doesn't really transfer well.

Would I have a problem later? I mean, I could end up loving the OR, but still I'd like some input. It's a big decision.

Thanks!

KristinWW · Nov 20, 2016

I think it is wise of you to consider your options now. The OR is tough, has one of the longest orientation periods, is not critical care, and has little transferable skills. I absolutely love it but I was one of those who panicked and wanted to try something else because I was afraid I could never go anywhere else.

It is extremely difficult to transfer and think about it from a business point of view - a lot of time and money invested in orientation for you to possibly change course again and leave. That's why units want either new grads or experienced. I'm assuming you've shadowed an OR nurse? You have to like the everyday work and environment, or you'll be miserable. Do you already know and like the ED environment? Peds?

LuRN11 · Nov 20, 2016

I think it is wise of you to consider your options now. The OR is tough, has one of the longest orientation periods, is not critical care, and has little transferable skills. I absolutely love it but I was one of those who panicked and wanted to try something else because I was afraid I could never go anywhere else.
It is extremely difficult to transfer and think about it from a business point of view - a lot of time and money invested in orientation for you to possibly change course again and leave. That's why units want either new grads or experienced. I'm assuming you've shadowed an OR nurse? You have to like the everyday work and environment, or you'll be miserable. Do you already know and like the ED environment? Peds?

This kind of confirmed what I was already thinking. Nurses switch around all the time. It seems like the one profession where it's actually almost encouraged.

However, I can see that the OR is so specialized it would be hard to switch over. I was not able to shadow in the OR. I've toured an OR before and seen(for seconds) procedures happening, but that's about it. So it would be a big risk, whereas I know I love pediatrics and I love the ED. Guess I'll just keep holding out!

Thanks for your reply though, helped a lot! :)

jeckrn, BSN, RN · Nov 20, 2016

That is the problem with going to any specialty area straight out of school. You can get pigeon holed into it. The skills a OR nurse has for the most part does not translate to floor nursing.

Editorial Team / Admin · Nov 20, 2016

I have worked with nurses who have successfully transferred to positions in case management, ICU, med/surg, ER, hospice, and home health. Skills can be learned/re-learned. What matters is a supportive environment, thorough orientation, and the attitude of the nurse changing specialties.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Nov 20, 2016

multiple threads merged as per the Terms of Service

Eluka1 · Nov 21, 2016

Well, that's awesome you got offered the OR. I have been trying to get into the OR or PACU. I was hired in the ED and HATED it. It was way too stressful to transition from an LVN with home health to ED with 6 weeks training. I was told I could transfer after 6 months. I didn't even stick it out that long, sure wish I did as I may have been able to transfer to the OR, and not get rejected for the position. You may want to start out in the ED to see if you like it.

Good luck.

elcue · Nov 22, 2016

Hi, Lu. I have been an OR RN for 30 years after having worked a few years on surgery and oncology inpatient units. I think it is a mistake for OR programs to accept new grads. We have a program in our OR, and just accepted new grads for the first time. They educators have decided they won't accept new grads again. The "interns", as we call them, had a tough road to navigate.

Yes, the skill set in the OR is unique, and yes, we are not respected as "real nurses" by some peers in other specialty areas. We have fought that marginalization of our professionalism forever.

The truth is, we care for patients immediately after meeting and interviewing them for only 5 or 10 minutes. After that, they are asleep, and all the information we have is what we've been able to glean from that brief initial interview and the chart. That requires an ability to connect and establish trust quickly with patients and their families, and sharp assessment skills. Assessments must be mentally translated to care plans immediately. In addition, the ability to prioritize needs and to delegate tasks within the OR is key to efficiently facilitating a case. The OR is a "tough room", where it is necessary to stand up for your patient's needs in the face of impatient and/or rude and/or angry docs. (It can also be a place of quite satisfying professional relationships with anesthesiologists and surgeons.) The pace is extremely rapid. It is very demanding, physically and emotionally. It can be very satisfying work.

I believe that at least a year on the general patient care unit provides the new grad with an opportunity to "get her legs under her". That is, to further develop the skills and judgement that began in school, gain confident and reliable assessment skills, and gain overall confidence in herself as an RN who can function independently and oversee techs and assistive staff.

I do not mean to discourage you from perioperative nursing. Rather, I encourage you to enhance your chance of success by building a stronger foundation after graduation before you attempt to join us in this tough specialty.

Best of luck to you,

Linda

Ruby Vee, BSN · Nov 28, 2016

First off, what is a "prgm mistake"?

I've never worked in the OR, but I have been the preceptor for two former OR nurses who transferred to the ICU. In both cases, they were transferring just to gain that all-important ICU experience for their applications to CRNA school. One of them did really well, the other one was more or less a disaster in the ICU. The difference was that the first one came with a healthy level of curiosity about the ICU, the patients, the medications, the procedures and she actually WANTED to take care of ICU patients. (Just not for long.). The other had a "know it all" attitude that she already knew everything she needed to know for anesthesia school and she was present in the ICU only to tick off a check box.

If you go to the OR and don't like it after giving it an appropriate length of time to get used to the job and become competent (about 2-3 years, according to Benner), it is possible to transfer to another specialty. BUT you have to actually be interested in the other specialty and work hard at learning what you need to know. You'll have to study at home on your days off -- just like you have to do when you're a new grad.

Anecdotally, the OR nurse who did well in the ICU has a reputation as a great nurse anesthetist. The other nurse, not so much.

LuRN11 · Nov 28, 2016

Not exactly sure what you were getting at, but I f you want people to actually read your post you might not want to come off so hostile in your first remark...

ProperlySeasoned · Nov 30, 2016

Some encouragement - I graduated 15 years ago and went straight to a speciality. I have worked in 3 specialties since then (one being OR for over five years). When the right opportunity presented itself (one that I would have never been exposed to without the OR), I transitioned out of the OR. I have always been gainfully employed in nursing with a career I love. I have never worked in a traditional bedside capacity. I wouldn't have it any other way.