Perioperative Nurse Intern......

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Specializes in M/S Short Stay/TCU.

Hello Everyone,

I live in the Philadelphia area. I was wondering if anyone knows of any Perioperatve Nursing Intern/Residency Programs in the Philadelphia... or even in Pennsylvania. I am so passionate about entering this field ever since I had the opportunity to rotate back in college. I grad in Dec 09 with my BSN-RN and I was lucky to get a job in LTC outside of Philly. I start on Monday..... the position is parttime and I am incredibly grateful for this position because it's a learning opportunity. I had the pleasure of applying for a Perioperative Nurse Intern Position at Einstein Hospital... I hope that they call me and give me the chance to interview with them... Thank you in advance for your advice, guidance, and thoughts...:)

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Specializes in Med/Surge, Operating Room.

I did an OR nursing internship at Lehigh Valley Hospital in Allentown. It was an 18-week course, during which we learned to both circulate and scrub. If you made it through the course, and not everyone did, you were guaranteed a job, although not a particular shift. After the 18 weeks, then you got an additional 2 months orientation. It was a good course and I feel it prepared us well. We had to sign a contract, and we were obligated to work for Lehigh Valley for 2 years. I don't know if they're still offering this course as I haven't worked there for almost a year. Good luck.

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Specializes in M/S Short Stay/TCU.
I did an OR nursing internship at Lehigh Valley Hospital in Allentown. It was an 18-week course, during which we learned to both circulate and scrub. If you made it through the course, and not everyone did, you were guaranteed a job, although not a particular shift. After the 18 weeks, then you got an additional 2 months orientation. It was a good course and I feel it prepared us well. We had to sign a contract, and we were obligated to work for Lehigh Valley for 2 years. I don't know if they're still offering this course as I haven't worked there for almost a year. Good luck.

Thank you sooooo much for the info; I am currently working at a SNF... I want to get into an Periop program really badly... i have been checking around to see what hospitals in the Philly area offer this program... I hope and pray that I find one;)

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Christiana Hospital in DE usually offers a Periop program at least 1x/year. I do know that Christiana considers themselves "overstaffed" at this time, but if you wait I know that they like to "grow their own". They also are usually "new grad" friendly. You will owe them two years or a certain payback.

I would recommend reading as many posts as you can on this forum under Periop nursing though. I love the OR, but it's a different environment and increasingly OR coordinators are looking for a certain personality. It's expensive to train OR nurses, so they do their best to pick candidates that survive the internship and do the two years owed. Also, you'll find a lot here to help you get through the interview and ask the right questions. So many nurses have no clue as to what exactly Periop nurses do, and if you can really familiarize yourself, you'll impress the interviewer. Go back as many pages as you can, as with everything, do your research and you'll come out ahead.

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Specializes in M/S Short Stay/TCU.
Christiana Hospital in DE usually offers a Periop program at least 1x/year. I do know that Christiana considers themselves "overstaffed" at this time, but if you wait I know that they like to "grow their own". They also are usually "new grad" friendly. You will owe them two years or a certain payback.

I would recommend reading as many posts as you can on this forum under Periop nursing though. I love the OR, but it's a different environment and increasingly OR coordinators are looking for a certain personality. It's expensive to train OR nurses, so they do their best to pick candidates that survive the internship and do the two years owed. Also, you'll find a lot here to help you get through the interview and ask the right questions. So many nurses have no clue as to what exactly Periop nurses do, and if you can really familiarize yourself, you'll impress the interviewer. Go back as many pages as you can, as with everything, do your research and you'll come out ahead.

Indeed,you are absolutely right. FlyOR:)... I have been researching AORN's website regarding Perioperative Nursing and viewing select videos on this topic as well. Also, I have read sooooo many posts about the Perioperative field. I want to get into a program so bad. Thank you for the advice.... I do appreciate it very much I will keep trying and hopefully a program will open up for me in Philly soon. Again Thank you.;)

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Specializes in OR, peds, PALS, ICU, camp, school.

Did you look into Delaware Valley Community College? They have a peri-op certificate course. The editor of "Alexander's Care of the Pt in Surgery" text teaches it (or used to) I think they have classroom stuff then help you find a clinical site if you don't have an OR position lined up. I guess it helps you find a job/network/looks good on a resume.

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Specializes in M/S Short Stay/TCU.
Did you look into Delaware Valley Community College? They have a peri-op certificate course. The editor of "Alexander's Care of the Pt in Surgery" text teaches it (or used to) I think they have classroom stuff then help you find a clinical site if you don't have an OR position lined up. I guess it helps you find a job/network/looks good on a resume.

I never thought about that route Xing...... Thank you soooo much for the info.... I inquire about it and see how much it costs....:rolleyes:

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Hello! I am a recent graduate of an ASN program who just passed boards - (YAY!!) I am very interested in OR nursing. Do you remember if the 18 week course was held at LVH or did they send you somewhere? Was it paid training? Also - if you don't mind me asking - did you work there the 2 years and why did you leave? Thanks for your input!! :)

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I would recommend reading as many posts as you can on this forum under Periop nursing though. I love the OR, but it's a different environment and increasingly OR coordinators are looking for a certain personality. It's expensive to train OR nurses, so they do their best to pick candidates that survive the internship and do the two years owed.

I am going to interview for a periop 101 internship soon and was researching the interview process when I found your point here. I had an idea that an OR nurse has a particular personality but could you lend some insight to me and please expand on this?

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
I am going to interview for a periop 101 internship soon and was researching the interview process when I found your point here. I had an idea that an OR nurse has a particular personality but could you lend some insight to me and please expand on this?

Here's a few other threads that talk about personality qualities:

https://allnurses.com/operating-room-nursing/personality-qualities-of-678948.html

https://allnurses.com/operating-room-nursing/qualities-of-a-464381.html

https://allnurses.com/operating-room-nursing/what-do-operating-426443.html

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