OR Internship Interview

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I just graduated with my BSN and have an interview today for an OR internship (6 months) at a Level 1 Trauma Hospital.

I'm interested, but not sure this is what I want to do. I've been an ED tech in the same hospital for 2+ yrs; did not wish to stay in the ED d/t management issues. I owe the hospital 2 yrs for my scholarship money.

I'm also interviewing for CCU, but want to hear from OR nurses why they love or don't love the OR? I had the opportunity to rotate through the OR on a few of my clinicals and really enjoyed it. In the ED, I love setting everything up for a trauma, knowing what the trauma team wants before they have to tell me. I like the technical aspects of the job. I like a fast pace and being on my feet.

I am told this is an extremely well run training program and one of the best OR internships out there. So I'm sure I could go from this hospital to any other hospital. Is there a great need for OR nurses? Can they also be travel nurses?

Thanks very mucgh in advance for any feedback, insight, etc.!

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Specializes in PeriOp, ICU, PICU, NICU.

Not a nurse, just wanted to wish you the best of luck though.

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Specializes in GI, OR, Oncology.

Congratulations on the opportunity! I've been working in the OR for over 8 years. I was an LVN/Scrub until I graduated from the RN program in May. I've been orienting to circulate since then, and I still take scrub call. I love doing both. I love everything about my job - pace, technology, teamwork... but I really hate the call. It's the one thing about my job that always makes me re-think my future plan. It's not always bad, but when you've worked 16 hours and have had an hour of sleep and the phone rings at 3am that you have to hurry back for a STAT C-Section... well, I really hate my job just then. If you don't mind the call, that's great (and the money is great!).

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Specializes in Home Health, Primary Care.

Congrats on your interview and I know you will nail it. I graduated back in June and am currently working in the CTU. Well, at this moment I'm thinking that was a big mistake. I'm not too happy and have since applied for an OR nurse residency a local ortho hospital. I've worked at this hospital prior to graduating nursing school, so I know the atmosphere there. I know what I would like about the OR is the technology and the technical aspect of it and also the one-on-one relationship you have with each and every patient. I had my interview earlier this month and have a follow-up interview next week. I'm praying to get it. Good Luck to you!! I know you'll get it.

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Specializes in OR.

I am not an RN yet (graduate in May 06). But I am doing a nurse internship in the OR. The reasons I like it are:

I like that there is a beginning, middle and an end

Your patient load is one person

I like that it is detailed oriented (counting instruments, etc.) and that specific rules apply

Watching the surgery

What I don't like so much:

Paperwork

Standing long hours (if scrubed in)

I would like to hear more about your program. If you don't want to write about it in the forum, please PM me. I am curious if they accept ADN RNs

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