Pediatric O.R what are the nursing responsibilities

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Hey guys,

As some of you know I've been up in limbo about whether to stay with the N.A position I recently accepted (first day was friday... It was awesome) or to take one of the many nurse extern positions that I applied for. Being that I was not contacted for any of the HFH positions, I received a call for an interview with Childrens hospital as an extern in the O.R. Seems interesting enough but I really don't know what the job entails. I'm highly considering cancelling the interview tommorrow based on advice I received from a highly respected nursing instructor with HFCC. I'm just curious what would I have been doing? would I have been in the actual O.R (watching surguries would have been outstanding!), doing pre-op stuff (vitals, patient and family education, prepping) doing post op stuff monitoring I and O, close assessments etc. Does anyone have an idea? In the meanwhile... I'll do some research.

Thanks!

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I'm just curious.... why would you cancel the interview based on what one person said (respected or not)? Why wouldn't you just go to the interview, and then decide if it is for you?

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Specializes in ICU/Critical Care.

Candy, the best advice I can give you is that YOU have to do what is right FOR you. I agree with Veruka. I know that the HFCC instructor gave you advice and you respect her but you have to base your decision on how you feel and your opinions, not what the instructor feels is right for you. Think long and hard.

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Specializes in L&D.

I think all of the questions you have asked would be appropriate to ask the interviewer. I would think a nurse extern position would be much more desirable than an NA position.

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Thanks you guys, I haven't cancelled the interview it's today so I had decided that I would go just to see for myself. I didn't base the decision off of 1 person although I didn't state that for the sake of making a point, I asked the advice of several RN's and fellow classmates. Some were like check it out, some were like no no no stay where you are, and interestingly enough alot of the no's came from individuals who's opinions I highly valued.

I have decided however, that no matter what I do, I will stay where I am as a NA since it is only part time (16-20 hrs) and if I am fortunate enough to be hired for a nurse extern position that would allow me to work only work 1 day out of the week 8 or 12 hours (since I am only in school on tuesdays and wednesdays) then I could still do that too.

Why do I insist on staying with my new job as an NA I'm sure some of you are like ***? There is no comparing the 2. Well for me it, is a catch 22. If I take a job as an N.E of course I'd be gaining the experience I need as an RN and it would absolutely help me out in future clinicals etc yada yada yah...

I am an N.A at the most beautiful hospital in the state (Henry Ford West Bloomfield). I absolutely love it and it is a dream! I'll be an RN in 5 mos and I want to work there when I do become an RN. So I just like the idea of having my foot in the door, meeting people, networking and such... it's really a great place.

At the same time I'd like to gain some experience by working as a nurse extern, but not at the expense of leaving HFWB (I've been told more than enough times, how hard it is to get a job there...)The people that told me not to do it, have been to the hospital, they know my manager, knows that I'll be working on a great unit, and have said that my working as a N.A while in nursing school, can be, what I make of it. I've met many of the RN's on my unit who have been totally receptive and have said to me, anything we can do to help you... you've got it! SO it's not completely a step backwards.

I'll admit, I need to work on being more decisive but in the meanwhile, if I can get sound advice before taking a step in what may be the wrong direction I will.

Thanks Again.

-Candace

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Ok... so I went to the interview... It went well. I'll have to wait and find out if I got it so it obviously didn't go great but I'm glad it's over. It was an Intra-operative position so,running around gathering supplies and equipment and "scrubbing in" on every imaginable surgery would have been my job description. So that was definetely my cup of tea.

Also, they said if there were scheduled surgeries that I'd be interested in observing on my days off, I could have ALL access. Very exciting stuff! Oh well, I'm just glad I checked it out for myself either way it goes.

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Specializes in ICU/Critical Care.
Ok... so I went to the interview... It went well. I'll have to wait and find out if I got it so it obviously didn't go great but I'm glad it's over. It was an Intra-operative position so,running around gathering supplies and equipment and "scrubbing in" on every imaginable surgery would have been my job description. So that was definetely my cup of tea.

Also, they said if there were scheduled surgeries that I'd be interested in observing on my days off, I could have ALL access. Very exciting stuff! Oh well, I'm just glad I checked it out for myself either way it goes.

It's not that it didn't go great, they have to take everyone they interview into consideration. Stop being so hard on yourself. It sounds like something you are very interested in. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

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