OR RN who started out in OR in another position

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Hi everyone, I have a situation that I was hoping to get some advice and input from those who may have been in a similar situation and/or anyone who may not necessarily have been in this position, but would like to share your opinion/advice.

A little background: I am currently in an ADN-RN program (graduate in December 2011) and I am interested in a career in the OR. I may possibly have an opportunity to work PRN in the OR as a "support technician" at a leading Trauma I hospital. I am very interested in working in the OR at this hospital once I graduate.

My question is whether any of you have started out in the OR in a technician/support position and then moved into an RN position within the same hospital? If so, did you have any problems from supervisors/coworkers in transitioning from the tech position into the RN position?

My concern is that if I start out in the tech/support position, I may have a hard time getting away from the notion of the tech position in the eyes of my supervisors/coworkers if and when I move into an RN position. On the other hand, it would be great experience and may possibly help me to get into the OR at this hospital as an RN once I graduate.

I appreciate any feedback. Thanks!

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From what I have seen (through coworkers and personally in other departmetns) it is more the problem of the person doing the transition. You will need to remember what your new position and stick to it.

This would be an awesome opportunity that I would have loved to have. You can learn a ton, and have your foot in the door for when you graduate. You also get the unique perspective of working in a different role which can help you deal with other staff members when you do become an RN by witnessing first hand how RNs treat you. I am starting in an OR in a couple months and tried hard to be a tech there.... but at least I got in now!

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Thanks for the feedback and congratulations on the job!

You are right that it would be a great opportunity and I do feel lucky if I were to get this chance. Thanks for the insight.

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Specializes in OR Hearts 10.

Take the job. Having your foot in the door is the best thing you can do apart from doing the job you get to the VERY best of your abilities. Don't call in, don't be late, etc....you want to show them the ideal employee!!!

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Thanks Sandra for the advice, I will definitely do my best if I get this opportunity.

Another question for everyone...if given a choice, would you take a tech position in the OR or a nurse externship that may or may not be in the OR?

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Specializes in OR Hearts 10.

If you really want in the OR, take an OR position if you can get it. JMHO

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Specializes in PACU, Surgery, Acute Medicine.

Definitely, if the OR is where you want to work, take the position that gets you experience in the OR. If you behave yourself, you'll do fine transitioning to RN, especially since (presumably) everyone will know that you are already in nursing school anyway. Do be careful not to be snotty about it. I had a friend who did that (became a surg tech but couldn't shut her trap to anyone with ears about how she was getting her RN and would be a nurse soon). Did not make her any friends! But if you do your job well, you'll be fine.

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Hi, I appreciate the advice very much. Thank you!

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Specializes in Trauma Surgery, Nursing Management.

I don't think you will have any problems making the transition from tech to RN. I think if anything, you will garner MORE respect from your co-workers simply because they know that you have experience and are knowledgeable about what the job entails.

Good luck to you!

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I am a recent grad who will be starting in the OR shortly. Prior to obtaining my RN I worked in a support staff position in the same OR I am going to be a nurse in. Having been a previous employee put me at the front of the candidate pool, it was 100% worth it. I understand your concerns, I am extremely nervous about the transition. However, some of the nurses I previously worked under have already told me how excited they are that I got the job. And my former colleagues have expressed how they'll respect my new position bc they know how hard I worked to get there. Obviously being a new RN is extremely scary, but I have some relief knowing I'm already familiar with surgical cases, supplies, and aseptic technique.

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Thank you canesdukegirl for that perspective, it definitely helps!

rnee, thank you so much for sharing your experience, it's very encouraging. Congratulations on your recent graduation and good luck on your transition!!

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Specializes in O.R. Nursing - ENT, CTC, Vasc..

I agree with getting in the door as a tech. Where I work, a lot of RNs also scrub when needed. They don't really have to go to a OR tech program to learn it, either - they get taught. One day they'll probably teach me to scrub in (I'm not ready for that, though!....). My point is, once you're in initially as a tech, hopefully your unit is a really supportive one who will be happy for you when you get the RN and circulate, and maybe sometimes scrub in. In some ORs, RNs do all the roles.

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