breebree177

Hi! And welcome to the world of the OR! I just graduated last spring and also had my senior practicum in the OR so if you have any questions feel free to message me or ask! I also just started my first nursing job in the OR. Ask lots of questions and do lots of research. You'll have to go through the initial training of learning to scrub/instruments/circulating. But further in look at the OR slate for the next day and search up the procedures you'll be doing. Research them in detail of the steps that occur (will help you a lot when you scrub for the procedure), or print off the surgeon's preference card to know what they like for that procedure. Don't be afraid to ask questions! Good luck the OR is a whole different world of nursing :) but a good one!

As I have just graduated and completed my preceptorship, I can tell you what a student likes from their preceptor. I liked when my preceptors would ask why questions to develop my critical thinking, like "Okay, you're going to go do this task, but why? Why does the patient need this task done?". My preceptors and I (I had two as both were part-time) would do a check-in at the end of the day. It wasn't always long, just like "You did good today, I liked how you're progressing with this" or "Next shift we're going to work on this". Also every morning we would set a goal, and a weekly goal and how I was hoping to achieve it. And be prepared for lots of questions! :)

I recently graduated beginning of April, and planning to write my NCLEX in about two weeks (fingers crossed it goes well!) The issue I'm having is finding a job right now. I did my final preceptorship (360 hours) in the operating room which included multiple experiences (smaller hospital so 5 specialities) including a day with anaesthesia, respiratory therapists, pre-op, scrubbing and circulating etc. I wanted to get the full experience and loved it. My preceptors said I have a really good potential to be in the OR as I picked up concepts quickly. However in Canada, most jobs in the OR are looking for nurses with a peri-operative course behind them. My problem is that this course is very expensive and since graduating I don't have any money to afford this type of course. I've been applying for multiple OR jobs but haven't heard back yet, is there anything anyone could recommend to better my chances of getting a job in the OR? Is it possible to get a job in the OR with experience from my preceptorship? I've even applied to one operating room in person but still no calls back. I would love to start my career in the OR as this is what I'm passionate about.

Congratulations! I'm currently a new grad who did her final preceptorship in the operating room (and I am too studying for the NCLEX now lol) I found operating room nursing textbooks worked really well as a resource when I was learning about scrubbing and circulating, the one I recommend is "Berry & Kohn's operating room technique", really helped explain a lot about the OR. Good luck in your new position!