OR experience for a surgical NP?

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I know.. it is beneficial to have OR experience to be a surgical np. I am going to school this fall semester. I talked to a manager in OR today. She expects me to work full time while I am in orientation, which is 7 to 9 month. 7 to 9 month!!! I never knew that orientation would take that long( I am woking on med-surg unit now). It is going to be really hard to work full time, study, and raise a kid...Do I need OR experience to be a surgical NP? how beneficial is it? Give me an advise please.

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What's a surgical np? Where is the program?

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There is no surgical np program. But there are np's working with surgeons.

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Oh. So you're in an acute care program and will work on a surgical floor? I think working in OR during your time would be very helpful so you can see the procedures. Just tell your manager your in school and need them to schedule work days around class/clinicals.

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I am going to NP program this fall semester. I have been working as RN for 7 yrs on med-surg floor. I like to work with surgeons. That way I am considering working in OR. While I am in oridentation, I have to work 8 hours shift for 4-5 days. I also need to go to school and study. I can do just 12hour shift 2 times a week on my floor-med-surg. If I don't go to OR, my life will be much easier because I have more time to study. I am trying to figure out that transfering to OR is really necessary to work with surgeons. I would like to be their first assistant...

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You don't have to be an acute care NP to work as first assist in the OR. There are family NPs that work as first assists. Having scrubbing in experience would be beneficial.

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Specializes in APRN, ACNP-BC, CNOR, RNFA.

I'm a Surgical NP/First Assist, and I completed an ACNP program, because 1. I don't like sick kids, 2. I wanted to be able to do procedures (Central lines, art lines, etc.) and 3. AORN endorsed the track. I'm a CNOR too, so I thought AORN knew best. Actually, if you do FNP, you can do congenital cases, so it makes you marketable across the board. The toss up is that very few places will allow you to do procedures. As far as the OR experience, you'll do a longer training for the first assist if you have no OR experience, but that's it.

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I'm currently an OR nurse and i just finished my FNP last month. I think its probably beneficial in terms of becoming familar with the pre-op family/patient interaction, surgery and knowledge of instruments and sterile technique, and post-op flow but actual "operating" you won't get to do much of as regular staff RN, aside from hold a retractor or help suction..

I'm similarly looking to find a surgical postion but i don't have my RNFA, and basically burned out from a double Master's and am hoping my work connections will help me in my search..

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Specializes in Anesthesia, Pain, Emergency Medicine.

If you want to do procedures in the hospital as a FNP (in my states). Just attend a class, there are many available. Then work with your surgeon as a preceptor until the credentials committee is satisfied and gives you privileges.

Central lines, alines, chest tubes are all easy procedures to learn.

I'm a Surgical NP/First Assist, and I completed an ACNP program, because 1. I don't like sick kids, 2. I wanted to be able to do procedures (Central lines, art lines, etc.) and 3. AORN endorsed the track. I'm a CNOR too, so I thought AORN knew best. Actually, if you do FNP, you can do congenital cases, so it makes you marketable across the board. The toss up is that very few places will allow you to do procedures. As far as the OR experience, you'll do a longer training for the first assist if you have no OR experience, but that's it.
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Specializes in APRN, ACNP-BC, CNOR, RNFA.
If you want to do procedures in the hospital as a FNP (in my states). Just attend a class, there are many available. Then work with your surgeon as a preceptor until the credentials committee is satisfied and gives you privileges.

Central lines, alines, chest tubes are all easy procedures to learn.

It's more a matter of what the BON says you can do in Texas, than just getting someone to train you to do it. For instance, Texas is the only state that requires NPs to complete a RNFA program. All other states accept advanced practice status as proof that you're qualified. Whatever state you live in, follow the scope of practice for your specialty based on what YOUR BON says.

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Specializes in Anesthesia, Pain, Emergency Medicine.

Yep, Texas is far behind and very restrictive. If you notice, I said "in my states".

I hold licenses as a CRNA and FNP in Texas and I refuse to practice there until things change..

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Thank you for your thoughts. Thank you very much. I am going to shadow one of OR nurse next week.

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