OR to ICU

[Nursebruh]

Hi. I am a new grad in an OR program at a Level 1 trauma hospital. My dream has always been to get ICU experience then FNP or ACNP - or something similar. I love surgery but I do love critical care. I have realized that I miss interacting with patients and being challenged.

Should I stay and complete the OR training for another 6 months? Or should I transfer immediately to the ICU with my long-term goals in mind? If I complete the training or stay for a year, I would have the OR to fall back on and I can work an OR job per diem while pursuing other things. 

I don't mean any offense to anyone. I've realized that the OR isn't for me and I don't see myself in this setting for the rest of my career.

[tg2125]

I was in a similar situation but with the goal of becoming a CRNA. I am about 6 months into my new grad OR nurse residency at a level 1 trauma with a specialization in orthopedics and orthopedic trauma but being trained in almost every service but Cardiac. I'll tell you this I felt the same exact way until a started scrubbing in on gyn and general cases I LOVE SCRUBBING THOSE CASES it got to the point where I was considering NP with a first assist vs CRNA. I am now just learning ortho and orthopedic trauma and its way more work in terms of trays instrumentation and loaner systems and SPEED of the cases but I am getting better at scrubbing them and I like it, I lover learning the steps to the surgeries and having what the doc needs without them having to ask (the take note of that trust me). I feel like all programs should start with scrubbing first to see if the OR is really for you. There are days were im like damn I wish I was a CRNA but there are days where im like I like surgery more. We are new to nursing so the grass will always seem greener bro. there are times in the ICU where the patients are always sedated so verbal interaction is limited too remember that. You can still got FNP as a OR nurse I would argue that you have an advantage in terms of hiring if your good and the residents and docs see that. I know of a nurse that was great in GYN surgery and she is now hired from a resident that she knew since that resident was in their first year. Stick it out for a year and half so you can legit be an functional OR nurse and then think about ICU. Thats my plan 2 years in the OR and then ICU because you're not really an OR nurse after 6 months it takes a year in the OR to actually be a real competent level 1 trauma OR nurse and employers know that.

[RickyRescueRN, BSN, RN]

If ICU nursing is what you feel drawn to, do it. I was an ICU RN then ER/Trauma RN the a 19yr helicopter flight nurse before coming to the OR the last 2 years. That is the beauty of nursing . You are never "locked down" to one specific specialty and there is one specialty for every season of your life. If critical care is what you are interested in right now, go apply for an ICU residency /training program . I am sure they will be happy to have you. Best of luck.