OR RN role in the military

[furryhat, BSN, RN]

Hi everyone,

Curious if anyone out here has experience as/knowledge of OR nursing in the military? I am civilian and transferring into the OR next month. My hospital trains us to circulate and scrub - it's a 9 month orientation. I anticipate liking scrubbing more and think I may want to pursue RNFA eventually down the road. I hope to apply FQ for OR to either Air Force or Army probably a year post orientation -- talking Oct '17 boards for AF.

Wondering if RN's do both scrub and circulator roles in the military? I've noticed that Air Force has an OR designation while Army has Peri-Op -- anyone know if that means Army Peri-Op is pre-op/OR/pacu grouped together? I've been in touch with Air Force healthcare recruiters, but am not at a stage (physically) where I am comfortable going in to meet with them YET - I have a solid year to get there before beginning the long app process :)

Thanks in advance for any information!

[jeckrn, BSN, RN]

In the Army a Peri-operative nurse works in the OR only. For the most part we only circulate and scrubbing is handled by enlisted or civilian scrub techs. We are taught how to scrub in the Peru-operative course. There are occasions which RN' s do scrub but it's mainly because they are extra that day and want to do it along with the scrub tech. The Army no longer has a RNFA' s.

[furryhat, BSN, RN]

Thanks for the info jeckrn! Much appreciated. Are you currently Army Peri-Op?

[jeckrn, BSN, RN]

For 9 more months.