Famturn

Thank you for the information. I also have an update. I was able to land a job as an operating room aide and the hospital I shadowed! They said they would work around my academic schedule when I return for the fall semester. I found out that it's not mandatory to scrub but it is strongly encouraged. It's a 300 bed facility and a level 2 trauma center. Thank you again...I'm excited about how things seem to be falling into place. I'll be able to find out so much by working there.

Thank you!

Thank you! I'm in Pennsylvania. I'll look into what programs are available. I'm also going to look for perioperative 101 courses as well. The shadowing may have paid off. I have an interview as an operating room assistant per diem. I'm hoping they will be able to work around my school schedule...two different clinicals this fall.

Thank you!

I'm going into my third year of school and I'm interested in the OR when I graduate. Over this Summer, I reached out and was able to shadow a RN in one of the bigger ORs in my area! The experience confirmed to me that this is the direction I would like to go when I graduate. They were extremely welcoming, told me they hire new grads, and encouraged me to apply for the next upcoming externship. I also work as a per diem nursing assistant and was advised that I shouldn't apply for an OR position right out of school. Instead I was encouraged to do a year of med surg nursing first. Is that sound advice? I'm a 50 year old student and this is a second career for me. I know what I want to do and at my age would like to take the most direct route. However, if it would be beneficial to work med surg first I would. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

I'm not a nurse yet but for what it's worth, I would like to share my thoughts and experience...maybe it will help. I'm a 49 year old sophomore that has left a 20 year law enforcement career to pursue what I feel is a calling. Regardless of what people say, every career field that is related to service (whether it is Healthcare or public service) employees are going to feel expendable and undervalued. The key is finding your own value/worth. Never let anyone who is disgruntled or disappointed discouraged you. I'm not saying they don't have good reasons to feel the way they do, try to shadow or work in a hospital while you're in school to get a better picture. In my area most hospitals have some sort of student nurse assistant positions. They work around your school schedule and have been incredibly supportive. Best wishes in what you decide.

I think this is very sound advice. I'm not a nurse yet but I had a similar situation. Prior to being accepted into my BSN program, I've been a law enforcement officer for the federal government, a state law enforcement agency, and back to the federal government. While working for the state, my immediate supervisor had an issue with anyone who didn't look like him, females, and veterans. One day he said something very derogatory to a female agent in front of suspect that we arrested. He managed to sexually harass, discredit, and undermine her authority in one foul statement. I told the truth and gave her my full support. Of course I was retaliated against and things were miserable for me. I left before the "golden rule time frame". The reasoning that I gave was I missed my old agency and the new one wasn't a good fit. They completely understood and all was well. He was eventually held accountable for his actions and my statement helped. If it were me, I would build off what was said in the beginning his statement as a way to leave after 6 months: "but due to COVID had to move back home." I hope all works out well.