Jadebsn

Hello W2019, I went through their Periop 101 years ago. I am now an OR educator and still admire their training. But...as in any unit, there are ups and downs about everything else. Please feel free to let me know if you have any other specific questions and I'll provide my private email.

Hello, I have my PHN (in California) and am very glad I did it. I believe it has shown employers that I am open to working with different populations, and did the little extra to earn the certification. It also comes in handy in jobs that are funded by government grants, who often require PHN certified nurses to qualify for funding. The license fee is nominal and gives one more distinction on your resume so your can stand out. Just my two cents. ?

Hmm...I had an agent do them (at an agency I paid to submit prints), but I am under the impression if you do them by yourself at home, that you are to sign yourself.

Where I work we make half of our regular pay for call and 1.5 for the first call of the week. The second and more is 2x. After reading all these posts I feel very lucky!

Wow, I am sorry this is happening to you! I hate to say this, but my fingerprints were rejected for bad quality and it took some time for them to notify me. I don't know if this is the case, but I didn't have to pay the place that took my fingerprints for the second try. I would recommend calling the place that took them and see if they are willing to do another set for you or to track your application? Also, have you called the WA Nurse License Dept yet? They actually have LIVE people that answer the phone, it's amazing. Maybe someone in their dept can help you expedite the wait? Don't know if this is helpful, but I did go through something similar.

Yes, to clarify I meant that AORN provides a "certificate of completion/passing" for a Peri-op 101 course. CCI soon will be offering a similar Peri-op 101 course and certification of completion/passing (in beta testing now). These courses would be for those who are new to the OR. CCI is also the organization that cerifies experienced OR RN nurses with the CNOR credential. (Totally different, sorry for lack of clarification).

Hello, Bravo for knowing what you want and going for it! May I suggest looking here on the site, as at least one other has asked similar questions with lots of replies that may be helpful. My 2 cents on your comments: Scrubbing is a valuable skill, however many/most facilities will use the RN as a scrub as a last resort, as the ST is paid less. Having said that, when no ST is available, they highly value the rns that have the skill. I have seen this in major hospitals that I have worked at...smaller facilities may differ. At my facility they will not train us to scrub as STs as ST students are usually abundant. I personally do not want to further my scrub education due to the long hours standing on a concrete floor or the "boredom" as many scrubs say they experience. It is physically challenging, especially if you have back/neck issues, weak bladder or just get itchy standing in the same place for up to 4hrs at a time. You may want to do a self check on these issues before comitting to learning to scrub. Of course you should learn if you are still interested tho! Again if you do, when they *do* need your skill, it means they are in a pinch. I agree that you will lose and gain skills, but don't worry since any department you go into will give you a proper orientation. Both AORN and (soon) CCI offer OR periop certification. If you have the $ and time, you could consider taking one of the courses to show future emplyers you are serious. Only certain places will actually invest in new grads in the OR, but if you are already certified, you can hit the ground running when you graduate. Keep in mind it takes 6 months to train a new OR nurse and about 2 years to really get on board, so being an OR nurse/scrub is a serious comittment for both RN and employer. Oh, and AORN has student membership rates and great job counseling available. I was able to chat with experts before I graduated to really get the nitty gritty. (I pretty much went straight into the OR as a new grad myself fyi). Good luck in your endeavors and I hope some of my rambling helps! ?

Wow! Congratulations on being so passionate about nursing! That is a great attitude and I applaud your willingness to reflect on the best path for you. I had a similar background and may have a few added insights for you(?)... I went into nursing school with the express desire to be in the OR, but ended up getting some other experience while I waited for an OR residency to open. (This experience came through multiple temporary placements through medical temp agencies). Although I found the experience very valuable I also found that I was still dedicated to getting into the OR. If you are unsure about the OR, there are always these kind of short term opportunities to help you check in on your choice. I have seen many new grads (including me) get into OR residencies, and what I saw as a common thread was a senior placement in the OR. I myself did not have a choice at my school but made sure I joined AORN early, completed some of their modules, and stressed my passion during the job interview for the OR. Any program takes 3-6 months to orient a new OR nurse so jobs are very careful who they invest their time in, if at all. If your candidate job does not have a residency, you may want to consider paying $$$ to get a certification from AORN or CCI (coming soon?) To show some readiness for the job if they do not offer training. Experience or an OR residency is essential, but certification (Peri-op 101) seems to be the preferred gold standard. Those are just my 2 cents from seeing your questions...I am more than happy to chat with you via email or phone if you would like a friendly ear. My email is [email protected]. As mentioned, OR nurses are in high demand and I would like to encourage anyone like you who shows interest! Good luck and feel free to get in touch. ?

Virginia Mason OR Nurse residency

As a new grad/BSN/RN that has been applying to Seattle hospital programs, I can confirm that the starting pay at most hospitals is $30 to $34 to start, plus differentials, and probably has better perks than the facility you are speaking of. IMO a hospital will give you a more formal training, lower patient ratios and more chances of advancement. I have seen that non-hospital jobs *tend* to pay the same or better, but I guess in the bigger picture, it would depend upon what kind of training, benefits, work and opportunities you are looking for in the future.

I am still wondering the same thing, as I am now in a position to choose between Swedish and VM. Any advice anyone?

Hi, sorry for the delayed response...was travelling to Seattle for OR interview. To answer a few questions, I recieved both a phone call and email from the recruiter for the floor job. If they like me, a second interview will be scheduled late July/early August. I must add that I have looked at other jobs in clinics and the pay is $5-$15 more in many places, but maybe less benefits too. been leaving messages for recruiters since February, without them returning my call. I was then shocked I got booked for a phone interview. That department seems a bit disorganized. To nswer the other question about salary, day shift is $30.62/hr and night differential is a dollar more. Pay increases at Swedish are yearly. My friend works there and says it may be the lowest of all the hospitals.I don't know. Harborview and Virginia Mason do pay more than Swedish, about $4-$5 more per hour I think. btw I also will be looking for housing in Seattle Also, they just published the list of November units that will have availabilities.

Hi Cyclone67/Coug_nurse, I just heard back regarding my November floor residency last Friday and had my phone interview yesterday. It was very quick; apparently they do not know (yet) which departments have placements for November, although the recruiter will ask you your preferences. She also said that they will book second interviews by the end of July/early August. Not sure if it will be the Hirevue method, although I am curious now that you bring it up. Btw, as per usual, new grads will be placed in night shifts, three twelves on a two year contract. She reviewed the salary and I honestly found it very low compared to outpatient clinics I have looked into. I am hoping the benefits make up for it? I have my panel interview for the OR next week, in person. I truly want the OR so I am hoping that will come through, but will settle for the floor...I think...

Hello BrittanyAlyson13, I applied to the OR residency for September 2017 and am going to do my first panel interview next week for it. Already did my phone interview...

Hi, I applied to Swedish for the September OR consortium in mid May, had a phone interview in early June and am now being scheduled for the in-person interview (neuro-surgery) sometime in the next two weeks...I would love to hear any advice/comments! :-)