Advice-Getting Hired as a New Grad

[hopefulone25]

Hi Everyone,

I know that I want to work in the OR when I graduate in December. I've had the opportunity to do a couple of days in different ORs during my clinical rotations and I loved everything about it. I've done a lot of research about into scrubbing and circulating, and I've talked to as many nurses as I can because I wanted to make sure that when I applied I wouldn't be wasting anyone's time if I got the job. I know that its what I want and I think its a pretty good fit for me with the exception of the fact that sometimes I can be a little quiet but I've been working on that a lot.

A few hospitals near me hire new grads into their Periop Program. They don't let students shadow in the OR because of liability issues and there are no extern positions available either. My school doesn't do a traditional preceptorship like most others and what they replaced it as only allows you to do a few days on a med-surg floor, so, unfortunately, I can't get much more exposure than the few days I've had.

I was hoping to get some advice for other ways to make myself stand out more on my resume. I joined the AORN as a student and I was planning to do ACLS after I graduate in December, but I've been told by many people not to do it because they don't require it so it would be a waste of money.

If anyone has any advice or tips to make myself stand out, I would be eternally grateful.

[Sassy-RN]

Take a certified Peri-Op 101 class.

[lacerti, BSN, RN]

Hi!

I'm an OR Nurse Residency new hire and can give you some tips on how we've been orienting to the hospital (obviously, Your Mileage May Vary/YMMV). Sassy-RN notes to take a certified Periop 101 class, however that online-module course, provided by the Association for periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) will more than likely be provided by the facility that hires, along with a one-year complimentary association membership. In other words: don't worry about taking that until you're offered an OR position. Our departmental clinical educator also leads floor orientation and places us in observations and skill competency reviews throughout our Periop 101 course, even after we sit for the Periop 101 certification exam.

For my hospital, the Nurse Residency programs (there are a variety offered in various specialties) pretty much all sought the following: leadership skills and/or community involvement, reasons for interest in specific specialty (note: importance on what you have researched and educated yourself about it, and any relevant clinical experiences--nursing or other healthcare-related--to such), and commitment to program (demonstration of academic abilities, ability to maintain any contractual obligations). I would highly suggest to familiarize yourself with AORN and the roles and responsibilities of a perioperative nurse, and why you believe it best fits your nursing career path.

On ACLS, don't bother; Periop RNs aren't required to have such training, and are mandated to have just BLS. At my hospital, they will only reimburse us on relevant and required certifications (BLS, CNOR, and other surgical and perioperative trainings/certs.).

Hope this helped!