OR Nurses that Make $$$$$

ortess1971 · Nov 3, 2006

What was your education like? I am considering switching to a nursing career and want to go right into OR. How does one do that? The program I am looking at is a 3-year direct entry program (I already have a BA); year 1 is full-time and you get your RN; next two years part-time or full-time, workign as RN but getting an MSN specialty. Can you, as an RN, go into OR?

Depends on your hospital and I've found it is far easier if you worked there already as a tech or as a student nurse intern. This way, you already pretty much have the scrubbing part down. My hospital wants the OR nurses to be able to scrub, which IMHO, is a great thing. Even if you could take any kind of a job in an OR, it might benefit you. A lot of nursing schools don't cover OR nursing all that much, so it's kind of up to you to get some experience..I graduated in May from an ADN program and had been a tech for 5 years so they were willing to take me on without having to do the classroom program that they put people with no OR experience through. I LOVE surgery and have no desire to be anywhere else(except the ER-another fast paced environment!)

bhabby · Nov 4, 2006

Hi,

I have been a CVOR RN for 3 years now, but I also have 6 yrs of Anes Tech experience and 3 yrs of Unit Asst in CVICU. I am barely making $20 an hour.

I can pick up all the call I want...I am expected to take weekend call every 8th weekend and call once a week on weekday nights, except on my call weekend...but like I said you can pick up as much as you'd like.

I am glad I can pick up and make extra money but what I would really like is a better base pay...hopefully that will come with more years in the OR...although I am not going to hold my breath.

Really research the hospital, area of the country and OR expertise you want. You can make good money from but what I am seeing and experiencing...you either have to be in the game for a long time to make good money....or you have to leave and move to another area of the country that actually pays RN's.

The OR is a wonderful environment for me but it can be hard for some. If you are type A you usually survive...I think it is a prerequisit for some institutions...but it usually needed being that surgery is going on. Good luck in finding the money you want.

Money is not everything but being able to live beyond paycheck to paycheck would be nice. GOOD GOOD LUCK!!

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Nov 8, 2006

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, whether they are "experienced" or not and age or experience do not automatically lend validity to someones opinion. Everyone is responsible for his/her own career, and you have to make the decision that's right for you. Signed, the uppity "new grad"..

LOL

Janet E Groll · Nov 9, 2006

I started in a busy trauma center as a nursing student with one semester of nursing in. I was fortunate to have been taken under the experienced nurses wings. I was also in the float pool, so as a student I worked on all the floors and ICUs. When I graduated from school I stayed in the float pool and worked all specialties for about 11 years, then in 1990 I went to the OR for an interview, during the interview I was told "you have no OR experience, we are really looking for a nurse with some experience". I then looked the director in the eyes and stated " How do you expect me to aquire the experience if you are not willing to hire me and train me"? I was hired on the spot. I can function independently in all areas of the OR. This includes both scrub and circulating. From ortho, neuro, and hearts to renal and liver transplants. I also harvest saphanous vein and first assist. My specialty now is hearts and I can honestly say that the "old fashioned way" of spending time on the floors has helped me in my career. I can speed through a chart and find the problems immediately. The other day the anethesiologist was prepping my patient for an epidural preop, when I walked in and I reminded him that my patient had active aspergilosis, where an epidural is contraindicated, lest you introduce the fungus directly into the CSF fluid where it will then go into the brain. I was able to avert harm to my patient, which is the whole reason I do what I do. I also continue to read journals regularly, so I can keep up with new treatments and find so much information thats helps me to completely understand the different systems involved in disease processes. I also keep the communication lines open with my Drs, the floor nurses, infectious disease, labs, blood bank and pharmacy. I also take my heart patients up to the floor with anethesia so that if the nurse or respiratory have any questions I can answer them in person. The hours are long, the pay is good and my coworkers are my family when I'm not at home. After all you end up spending more time with them than your own family. I'm not saying you should spend time on the floors before going to the OR, it just worked well for me. It is so much easier these days to go from school to the OR than when I tried. We hire direct from school where I work and some make really good OR nurses, and some you don't want to work next to. But I guess that goes with the experienced nurse also. You really have to work in the OR, there is no room for the lazy nurse in the OR. Make sure you have good preceptors and a good OR educator and you will do fine. Good luck!

pvnurse1 · Jan 10, 2007

I recently graduated with a BSN and will be beginning my nursing career in the OR. I must say after reading this thread, that several people it seemed had valid points. I think it important to mention that someone like me, who reads these threads because they are just starting out in OR nursing, would like to see a little more comraderie(?) and support for new nurses. It seems as though some of the nurses who posted to THIS thread, feel as though they shouldn't let new nurses in OR. All I can say is I'm glad my hospital has taken a chance with me being a new nurse and allowed me the opportunity to become an OR nurse.

Margot399 · Jan 22, 2007

I agree with Shodobe. I've worked at the same hospital, in Northern Calif (very high pay there)for decades. The combination of experience, versatility with scrubbing and circulating, and stamina with all the call you can handle will bring you the big bucks. If you enjoy the challenge, you will flourish and enjoy the extra money.