OR nursing possible?

orrnlori, RN · Feb 28, 2004

You just described all the reasons I work in the OR. Go for it. I love the technology, the teamwork, one patient, etc, etc, etc.

futuregaspasser · Feb 29, 2004

I never wanted to be a nurse until I started working in the OR five years ago as a CNA. I LOVE it there, totally different than any other nursing IMHO.

suzanne4, RN · Feb 29, 2004

See if you can shadow a nurse for a day or two in the OR to see how you actually like it. I love the OR and all of the different experiences that go along with it. You definitely never stop learning new things.

Good luck with your choices. :balloons:

shodobe · Feb 29, 2004

I agree with the above posts especially orrnlori. I worked in the ED and also on a M/S floor before deciding the OR was the best fit for me. After 27 years it still is. Teamwork, the surgeons, anesthesiologists and other RNs make it more satisfying than anything you do on the floor. The surgeons seem to respect and trust you more. I like the idea that I can be a patient advocate for one patient at a time instead of trying to be one for 6-10 patients. The patient can be assured that you are concentrating only on them and nothing else and I know that puts them at ease. Try to find a program, if your facility does have one, that will train you from scratch. There are ones around the country that puts you in 1 year or more of intense training that gives you all the skills necessary to be a great OR nurse. See if you can shadow a OR nurse for a couple of days to see if you would be interested. Make sure you can be put with one that is interested in giving you all the info you would need because, to be honest, there will be the "burned" out ones that will try to discourage you. Even if that happens look for the positive aspects and ignore all the negative. What one person finds boring and totally uninteresting, you may find worthwhile. Keep an open mind and open eyes and drink in all you can. Good luck, Mike

javagirl · Feb 29, 2004

I never wanted to be a nurse until I worked in the OR as a CNA. I LOVE it there, totally different than any other nursing IMHO.

You work in OR as a CNA. That rocks!

What is the career path for new grad RN into the OR? med/surg first? something else? Or can it be done direct?

Thanks in advance. :)

futuregaspasser · Feb 29, 2004

You work in OR as a CNA. That rocks!
What is the career path for new grad RN into the OR? med/surg first? something else? Or can it be done direct?
Thanks in advance. :)

I know if you work in the OR at my facility as a CNA or scrub tech when you recieve your RN you go directly to circulating (an RN in the OR). I don't believe they will hire a new RN grad with no OR experience though. They like you to have a few years under your belt somewhere else in the hospital.

Good Luck!

Ferret · Mar 1, 2004

As with any career, hunt around! If one hospital does not want to take you on, find one that does. I've had enough of the wards, I'd say no questions, give the OR a try. You'll know within a few months if you love it or hate it... give the OR a few months of your time and you will never regret it.

I personally would look for a hospital that teaches you to both scrub and circulate, I've circulated for four years and now finally am learning to scrub, and it's FANTASTIC! I'm having a lot of fun.

texan · Mar 2, 2004

I am a nursing student right now. Looking into working as a CNA or student nurse this summer. WHat did you do as a CNA in the OR? Thanks.