On the job training VS college perioperative program

Published

Specializes in Dialysis (currently). Previously MedSurg.

Hi guys,

Currently love where I work b/c of how close it is from my house & the hours are really good. However, the OR has always been my dream, which I’m still planning to pursue down the road (likely in a few years). 

I’m from Canada & found several colleges that offer periop programs, which have been approved by ORNAC (Operating Room Nurses of Canada). The length of study ranges from 10 weeks to 6 months, depending on the college. There’s no college in my city that offers a periop program so I’d have to apply to a college in a diff city & do all of the theory online. I will likely have to travel to a diff city for the college’s lab portion then do a practicum placement in my city.

I don’t mind doing the schooling nor having to travel to a different city to do the lab portion as I don’t have kids & I’m single. What I do mind is the tuition fee for the course (ex: $5k for one of the colleges). I am likely able to get some of that tuition reimbursed through an education fund that my employers offer, but the max I can request is $750. 

Has anyone taken a periop program at a college before (doesn’t have to be in Canada)? If so, how was the experience? And was it worth paying the few thousands of dollars to do the course?

Is it better to just keep applying for OR jobs and just hope I get offered on the job training? 

Thanks in advance if anyone can help a girl out!! 

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi, you could look into hospital based Perioperative programs. They pay you and you get experience at that hospital vs some college programs that are not directly affiliated with a hospital.

I come from the Foothills Medical Center in Calgary and we run programs continuously.

It is a 10 Week full time program and  a 2 year commitment to gain experience.. busy place though.. Level 1 Trauma Center.

You had best be up for it, because it WILL challenge you.

You could contact one of our Educators directly. There are 4 but (MODERATOR EDIT OF NAME) # is (MODERATOR EDIT OF PHONE NUMBER).

Say Hi from Wendy in Houston!

Good Luck!

 

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

Moved to Canada forum for best responses. 

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Dialysis (currently). Previously MedSurg.
2 hours ago, RNfromCanada said:

Hi, you could look into hospital based Perioperative programs. They pay you and you get experience at that hospital vs some college programs that are not directly affiliated with a hospital.

I come from the Foothills Medical Center in Calgary and we run programs continuously.

It is a 10 Week full time program and  a 2 year commitment to gain experience.. busy place though.. Level 1 Trauma Center.

You had best be up for it, because it WILL challenge you.

You could contact one of our Educators directly. There are 4 but (MODERATOR EDIT OF NAME) # is (MODERATOR EDIT OF PHONE NUMBER).

Say Hi from Wendy in Houston!

Good Luck!

 

Thanks for the response!

Do you find that the 10 week program is enough time for a nurse with no OR experience to feel competent enough to work on her own in the OR? I was actually looking into Foothills for the periop program & was interested in inquiring but I believe they only accept nurses w/ Alberta licenses in the program ? 

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If this is your dream I would just pay for the preoperative course. It would give you more of a competitive edge compared to others who they would have to train. It shows that you have invested your own money into your training. 

10 week program is not enough time for a nurse with no OR experience to feel competent. This can be said about any program since there is continuous learning. 10 weeks gives you the basics and to be better you have to continually do it. 

It makes sense for the Foothills to require the nurses to have Alberta licenses. I believe they are training staff to work at their hospital. I don't even think that those who get training positions pay for the program instead they are getting paid while they have on site training. 

I guess you'll have to look into hospital programs where you live and see what their requirements are for working in the OR.  

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am an OR nurse in Ontario.  As far as I know, it is either you have to have previous experience in the OR or taken the Periop course.  Never heard of 'on the job' training around here. 
I def recommend to take the Periop course, there is a lot to learn about being in the OR and I found the course very helpful in preparing me for the workplace.  I can't even imagine going into the OR and not even knowing what the instruments are called or sterile technique in donning/doffing.  The Periop course will give you the fundamental knowledge.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Dialysis (currently). Previously MedSurg.
On 1/17/2021 at 3:34 PM, Dela RN said:

If this is your dream I would just pay for the preoperative course. It would give you more of a competitive edge compared to others who they would have to train. It shows that you have invested your own money into your training. 

10 week program is not enough time for a nurse with no OR experience to feel competent. This can be said about any program since there is continuous learning. 10 weeks gives you the basics and to be better you have to continually do it. 

It makes sense for the Foothills to require the nurses to have Alberta licenses. I believe they are training staff to work at their hospital. I don't even think that those who get training positions pay for the program instead they are getting paid while they have on site training. 

I guess you'll have to look into hospital programs where you live and see what their requirements are for working in the OR.  

Someone also told me the same thing! That it would give me a competitive edge and that it’s worth it to take the separate periop program w/ my own money. And! Because of “on call money” the program pretty much would pay for itself down the road. 

The hospitals in my city do consider hiring ppl w/ no periop experience but of course would rather give it to someone who does. 

How long did it take for you to get comfortable in the OR after you finished your training? And do you see yourself doing it long term til retirement?

Thank you btw for the response! 

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Dialysis (currently). Previously MedSurg.
On 1/24/2021 at 6:11 PM, xmaay said:

I am an OR nurse in Ontario.  As far as I know, it is either you have to have previous experience in the OR or taken the Periop course.  Never heard of 'on the job' training around here. 
I def recommend to take the Periop course, there is a lot to learn about being in the OR and I found the course very helpful in preparing me for the workplace.  I can't even imagine going into the OR and not even knowing what the instruments are called or sterile technique in donning/doffing.  The Periop course will give you the fundamental knowledge.

The way they do the “on the job training” at the hospital where I live is getting us to do the periop 101 course online modules! And a few classes in person. Then being buddied with an OR nurse.

The format seems similar to what a separate college periop program would do so that’s why I’m kind of hesitant on paying out of my own pocket for a college periop program ?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
On 2/4/2021 at 3:06 PM, e19xx said:

Someone also told me the same thing! That it would give me a competitive edge and that it’s worth it to take the separate periop program w/ my own money. And! Because of “on call money” the program pretty much would pay for itself down the road. 

The hospitals in my city do consider hiring ppl w/ no periop experience but of course would rather give it to someone who does. 

How long did it take for you to get comfortable in the OR after you finished your training? And do you see yourself doing it long term til retirement?

Thank you btw for the response! 

I don't consider AORN periop 101 "on the job training". I actually did this and I consider it a periop program because although it did involved online modules, they also had classroom teaching (pre-covid), some hands on training before a preceptorship and final exam if I recall correctly. It was nice to get paid to do it and if this is available in your area I would absolutely apply. Where I work, you need to apply for a training position at the hospital who is running this course. They don't just hire a newbie and run the course for that one person if that makes sense?

I'm not sure if I'll do this until retirement. I think I'll always keep my foot in the door but who knows what will happen in the future and what other opportunities will open up.

I actually can't remember when I started feeling comfortable. Maybe around the 2-3 year mark? It really depends on how often you're working in the environment though? Are you taking up challenges so you get more comfortable or letting others do it? Lots of factors that you can do speed up or slow down your level of comfort if that makes sense.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Paediatrics.
On 1/24/2021 at 7:11 PM, xmaay said:

I am an OR nurse in Ontario.  As far as I know, it is either you have to have previous experience in the OR or taken the Periop course.  Never heard of 'on the job' training around here. 
I def recommend to take the Periop course, there is a lot to learn about being in the OR and I found the course very helpful in preparing me for the workplace.  I can't even imagine going into the OR and not even knowing what the instruments are called or sterile technique in donning/doffing.  The Periop course will give you the fundamental knowledge.

Did you take the periop course on your own via one of the colleges or did your employer pay for your course? Could you say the pros & cons of the college you went to and if you would recommend the college? I am currently deciding whether or not to pay for the course or wait for a hospital to make a posting about sponsoring employees. Thanks! ?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion