I have been a med/surg RN for 2 1/2 years and would like to make a change to either OR or ICU. I know they're both very different. Nursing is a second career for me. I hope to experience many areas of nursing in my career (maybe I'll do both at some point), and will probably jump over to the management side in the long-term future (management background--old career). For now, I love nursing. While some days (and docs, and pts, and families, and mgrs) can be rough, I still believe I am making a positive difference in the lives of others.
I understand the amount of direct patient care required in the OR is not the same as the floor, but I think just being there and able to contribute to a smooth work flow is contributing positively to patient care. That said, if I find an area I absolutely fall in love with, I may never want to leave.
Any thoughts? Does one pay better than the other? Are jobs more plentiful in one area than another? If so, why? What about career opportunities for advancement? Thanks for your help.
for those in the OR: did u enter that area right away or work for some time in other areas of nursing first? i've heard it's very difficult for a nurse to come into the OR unless she or he started as a surgical tech. I was just wondering because i think it seems like a place i might like to work (I just started on a telemetry floor, so I'm cardiac for a while).
I did a couple years on the floor, but I knew 6 months into it that I wanted the OR. It just took a little longer than I wanted to get there! If there is an OR position open and you are interested, take it! They are truly few and far between.
SrnD
39 Posts
for those in the OR: did u enter that area right away or work for some time in other areas of nursing first? i've heard it's very difficult for a nurse to come into the OR unless she or he started as a surgical tech. I was just wondering because i think it seems like a place i might like to work (I just started on a telemetry floor, so I'm cardiac for a while).