OR travel

[Ilovenursing.]

Afternoon All,

I’m a circulator currently with 2 1/2 yrs exp. 5 1/2 yrs total. I was a med surg nurse before moving to the OR (I traveled as a med surg nurse as well) I was just wanting some insight from other OR travel nurses about how it is traveling in the OR. I’m about to start looking for assignments soon and I just wanted some insight.

Thanks

[Argo]

Pick hospitals that are within your skill set and be honest about what you can do. You cant fake it if you have never done a liver transplant or an alif/tlif/xlif.

Can you give more insight into what insight you want?

[Ilovenursing.]

I just want to know how it is as an OR traveler. I feel med surg is med surg no matter where you go. Is it the same for OR travel as well ?

[NedRN]

You cannot picture differences between medsurg and OR? Let me see if I can help focus your thoughts. Medsurg may have a different flavor from place to place based on local and work culture and patient population but it is not all that different. OR has the same variance, but is much more affected by the personalities of the surgeon and staff. You see that at your staff position. Now add to surgeons performing the same surgery in very different ways at a new to you hospital with minimal orientation, and procedures and services you've never experienced before, and surgeons who are passive-aggressive or just plain aggressive in ways you've never seen before... See any light?

If you can, despite your former travel experience, I'd suggest trying some per diem at a nearby hospital to see if your skill set and ability to adapt translate well.