OR Nurse to NP

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This has probably been discussed before. However...just curious if there are any OR nurses out there who have gone on for their FNP from being an OR nurse. Thanks in advance!

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I can't speak from an OR perspective, but from someone who went straight into Pre-Op/PACU right out the gate. I can imagine there is an up-hill climb from OR as FNP school is a vastly different focus. Not seeing what people see normally in a nursing unit or clinic make school harder as you may not have the life experience to put it together. Where I found things like cardiology, pulmonology, or critical care easy, getting the primary care of a range of derm, GI, and less critical things was harder to learn in school. I don't say this to dissuade you, but to add perspective. I really can't speak to what OR nurses do behind the scenes regarding patient care, but I'm sure the uphill climb is at least as daunting as mine was. But it is absolutely doable if your schedule accommodates.

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Just curious, are you a practicing FNP now? I'm currently in my FNP program actually so...moving forward (graduate in 2020). I probably should have phrased my question more like...how's it working out? ;-)

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Just graduated and passed my boards. I will say my clinical rotations put a lot together for me and with certain preceptors I learned a TON. So I will let you know how I'm doing in a few months. :) What program are you in?

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I'm in a DNP program actually at the same school I did my BSN. I've been in OR since 2011.

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

I've worked with several who have moved from the OR into NP roles. It was not easy, but they did it

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Considering that many students go straight into FNP without every practicing as a RN, your OR experience can only benefit you.

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This has probably been discussed before. However...just curious if there are any OR nurses out there who have gone on for their FNP from being an OR nurse. Thanks in advance!

Haven't met one but I've known people who have absolutely NO nursing experience get straight into a direct entry MSN program graduated with their BSN and MSN at the same time and then never worked a day in their life as a bedside nurse but only as a FNP and they did just fine.

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I know it's been a while since this original post, but any updates? I've been in the OR for 11 years and believe I'm applying for an FNP program scheduled to start Summer 2019

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