O.R Tech to RN to the O.R or Med/Surg first?

GadgetRN71, ASN, RN · Aug 22, 2009

To any surg/tech that became an RN, did you have a difficult time getting hired in the OR? or to any RN who transitioned to the OR did you work in med/surg first? How did you guys do it? Was it everything you expected :yeah:or not:banghead:?

Not only did I have no problem going right to the OR, I had a job lined up months before I graduated(the same place where I was a tech). It wasn't bad, but I did deal a little bit with having to adjust to a new role. I also had to deal with those who were either ticked off that I went to the "dark side" by becoming an RN, or with RNs who had a hard time seeing me as a fellow nurse.

I think in retrospect, I would have still gone to the OR but maybe applied elsewhere(like a big teaching hospital). I ended up leaving after about a year and going to a level one trauma center.

RNman09 · Aug 22, 2009

Thanks for the info SquirrelRN71. I was just wondering since I was told before that my surgtech experience didn't matter when getting a job(in RN school). I'm in Los Angeles,CA. and it is tough out here for a new grad RN.

Editorial Team / Admin · Aug 22, 2009

If you apply for an OR job, you may have an advantage over other new grads because of your versatility- they'll teach you to circulate, but you already know how to scrub. Where I work, it goes in turns- either we're short on techs or short on nurses. Much easier to be short on techs because several of the nurses started out as techs and can fill in for them. New orientees only get a week of scrubbing experience, and then pretty much exclusively circulate.

RNman09 · Aug 22, 2009

Thanks poetnyouknowit that's what I thought also.

cornpoohRN · Aug 23, 2009

Thanks for the info SquirrelRN71. I was just wondering since I was told before that my surgtech experience didn't matter when getting a job(in RN school). I'm in Los Angeles,CA. and it is tough out here for a new grad RN.

I was a ST for several years and the reason that I got considered for the OR residency was because I had experience. There were so many RN's that wanted the OR but were turned down b/c of no experience. I think that being a ST works in your favor. However, they did tell me not to come in expecting to scrub (I loved it) b/c they have techs for that, I was hired to circulate and may get to scrub if absolutely necessary. :nurse:

Good luck!

Jeff RN · Aug 24, 2009

yeah, you will never hear an OR nurse tell you that you need to work on the floor first. It's like whatever. My OR director is a former scrub tech, its a good skill to have. Most good OR nurses can scrub.

MamaCheese · Aug 24, 2009

In the 2+ years I've been in my OR we've had two ST's make the transition to OR RN. Management was more than happy to have another RN on board that could double as a tech when we're short on staff. They got the whole AORN periop 101 course and full 6 month orientation just like all other newly hired RNs and it has worked out beautifully. If you're already experienced in the OR (prioritizing, multitasking, etc.) I, personally, don't see the value in spending time on a med/surg floor before coming back to the OR. Good luck!!

the1honeycomb · Sep 2, 2009

I went straight from OR Tech to the OR as an RN and I love it I did have many years experience on the floors as an LPN but I didn't take a break once I got my RN

Good Luck

fido34 · Sep 2, 2009

Just wanting to throw in my 2 cents in, feel free to move this if need be. This week as I so diligently look for a fabulous RN job, ( I think I have one!) I received a call from Abbot employment agency. I figured since I posted my resume online they got my number that way. What upset me some is how the recruiter spoke to me like a moron. She said after finding out I just got my RN in june, in a slow condesending voice, "What I want you to do is get acute experience and call us back after one year". I almost barfed and snapped back at her, but I didn't and just said ok and hung up. The moral of this story is, I am sick of non RNs and even some RNs harping about getting medsurg experience. I've been an LVN for 10 years and have so much experience and now that I have my RN am being offered a RN manager position where I used to work, I will be excepting the position. I feel that unless you are wanting to take your career in that direction med surg isn't absolutely needed for every nurse. (I am starting my BSN next week because I want to take my career where no Mexican male has gone before, LOL!). The reason this promted me to spill my guts here is that being a Nurse is what you want it to be. You decide where you want to go with it, sure you may run into some people who think otherwise but that's ok. There are so many different opportunities for us to do what we want and if med surg isn't your cup of tea, then don't allow anyone to give you a hard time about getting "med surg experience." I for one am confident that I would do fantastic in med surg, (Would I have gotten my RN if I wasn't capable? I don't think so!) but I chose another route and so can you... Best of luck to all of you since it seems the job market is tightening up. Don't give up and go and help people your way.:twocents:

scrubcircrn · Sep 16, 2009

I was a scrub for a couple of years and loved it but decided I wanted more so I went back and got my RN. Im just finishing my orientation now in the same place I worked as a scrub. Its going wonderful. My location experience has let me concentrate on the nursing job and not just learning where things are or having to figure out personalities. It has to be overwhelming to try to learn it all at once. My boss and co-workers have been great. They were invaluable during my time in nursing school too. If it hadnt been for picking up extra weekend call I would have starved. Whenever I was confused about something I had a whole department plus some doctors at my fingertips.

SandraCVRN · Sep 20, 2009

The only thing I can add is unless you plan on staying in the OR forever, having some floor experience might be helpful. I was aprivate scub for a Maxillofacial group before going to nursing school and never had any plans on doing anything other than the OR. Then I started tutoring and thought I might like to teach someday and didn't want to be that instrutor that only did the same thing for 20 years befor teaching.

I did 2 years on an ortho/medical floor and do not regret it one bit. If for some reason I ever tire of the OR I would be much more comfortable going to a floor or unit than had I never worked the floor.

Good luck....