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Discussion

OR Questions.

Hello guys, I'm starting nursing school soon and wanted to hope into the OR and I had a couple of questions.

How does one get into the OR?

Do they hire new grads in the OR?

I want to be come an RN first assistant, how many years of exp does this require?

How is your day going =D

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    • Featured Replies

    I'll take a shot.

    1. They apply to an OR position.

    2. Depends on the OR. You'd need to take that up with the OR manager in which you hope to work.

    3. Without prior scrub training, I would say at least three years, and possibly longer. In my OR, a circulating RN has to work at least two years before they'll consider teaching him the scrub role. Check out the AORN website - they've got great information on the different certifications.

    I'm planning to work on my BSN over these next two years while working full-time in the OR. After I finish my BSN, I plan to get my CNOR and start learning the scrub role with the eventual goal of RNFA. After that, I'd like to go back to grad school to work as an NP for a surgical service. That should position me well to assist in the OR and also to see patients in clinic.

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    • Admin

    1. Find a hospital that would allow you to shadow or volunteer in the OR. Apply for a position as a PCT/CNA in the OR. I work with a nurse who started in the OR as a PCT (they are responsible for transport, assisting with room turnover, running specimens to lab, etc) and then when she graduated became a nurse intern in the OR.

    2. Depends on the hospital, like PP said. Probably would be more likely to find a new grad position in a teaching hospital than in a small community hospital.

    3. Also check out CCI (www.cc-institute.org), as they are the ones who deal with the certification exams (CNOR and CRNFA).

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    Great Info.... I will look into the volunteering portion... Hopefully their is a hosp in my area is open to vol. in the OR....:)

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    There are many teaching institutions that have nurse residency programs in the OR (as well as in other areas). I've worked in 3 large hospitals (two Level I Trauma Centers) and they teach RNs how to circulate AND scrub.

    Do some research online on RNFA programs. I think AORN has some info on this. There might be some pre-reqs or years of experience required and then you can take the course. You will also need to find a surgeon willing to work with you to give you the clinical hours to complete your RNFA. I don't know if you can work and complete the clinical piece of it. Also, note that not every hospital uses RNFAs; some prefer PAs only.

    Good luck!!!

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