OR nurse needs advice

[_0Rrn]

Hii,

I'm in a situation and I need your advice. Right now I'm currently working full time in an OR at a hospital out of state (I'm from California). I was accepted in their Aorn Periop 101 training program and I have already passed the final exam for the Periop 101. (This is my first nursing job out of nursing school and I love it!) I've been working here for about 6 months... now here comes my dilemma.

I'm really homesick and where I'm currently at I have no family/friends up here. This is the farthest and longest I've ever been from home... ever! I recently applied to a surgery center job back home in California through a friend. To my surprise, the surgery center told me they are willing to offer me a full time job or a per diem position whichever I want, until my lease for my apartment ends. I would be getting paid a good $17 more at this surgery center than the hospital where I'm at currently. I'd also be commuting about an hour or so to work instead of my usual 15min drive. This commute will take some getting use to, but its way better knowing I'll be home in Cali. I can't help but think that this commute will eventually cause me to look for work even closer to home =/ But... now my current employer has offered to train me in robotics surgery (Da Vinci)! Does anyone know if nurses trained in robotic surgery get paid more? I'm really interested in learning and being trained in this specialty but at the same time I know I will eventually want to work at a ambulatory surgery center later down the road. I really don't want to miss out on the opportunity to get a job back home in California, especially since the job market is tough out there. Also, did I mention this surgery center is kind enough to hold the position for me?! I haven't heard many stories of places doing that, moreso because of the fact I didn't have 6 months experience at the time when I applied >_

I really don't know what to do. Sorry for the lengthy description. I'd really appreciate some feedback! What would you do in my situation? Should I stay at my current job to get the "hospital experience" and pass up the opportunity to move back home?

[maxxilla]

Wouldn't you have to reimburse the hospital for training you in Periop? Also, you would probably be burning that bridge by leaving the hospital after they invested so much money in you. However, if you have no intention of returning to that area, and that hospital is not part of a large corporation, it may not affect you in the long run.

That being said, it is very nice being close to home. If you have (or will have) kids, a support system is irreplaceable.

Also, consider the fact of call: ASCs do not often require call.

To answer your original question: no, I have never been offered more pay because I can do da Vinci, but it does make me more marketable.

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

First, you need to find out the expectations of the hospital- when you were hired, was there an agreement that you would work for a specified amount of time or be required to reimburse the hospital the cost of your training? That's a big financial consideration you need to be aware of.

Second, think about how it will look on your resume. Some places may see a length of employment of 6 months and wonder why. This could make you a less likely candidate to some HR departments.

Third, how will this affect your rehire status with the hospital you would be leaving? If you are deemed as ineligible for rehire, that can be a big obstacle if the hospital is part of a large consortium.

Fourth, yes, as another poster pointed out, many ASCs do not have call requirements. However, this can still be a double-edged sword: you're in the middle of a case, and it's the end of your shift. However, there is no one to relieve you. Someone who left the OR where I work for an ASC didn't have to take call. The catch? There was no second shift to relieve, meaning that if the cases weren't done in her room, she couldn't leave. She was averaging a good 6-8 hours OT each week.

Fifth, in regards to the da Vinci training, I do not know of any places offering additional money for being able to work in robotic surgery; however, it does look good on a resume.

My final point is this: only you can make this decision. You'll need to think long and hard about the pros and cons of changing jobs, and decide which way to go from there.

[ORoxyO]

I would go back to California since you have the opportunity. From what I hear it's hard to get work out there and you never know what a good job will come along. You have to do what makes you happy. I've been trained in DaVinci, which I do not really see as difficult or a big deal at all. Never heard of anyone getting paid extra for that!