newname

I understand you completelly. I'm an OR nurse, I love my job but I believe almost EVERYONE has to go through those gossip, weird/crazy personalities...You have to be strong inside,don't let them make you down. They all started at your level. Also, it takes two years to feel comfortable to be an OR nurse, takes five years to be an excellent OR nurse. 12 weeks is really short. I suggest you to explore your OR supply room, ask a nice,experienced nurse whenever you have any question, have a working diary and update it everyday, write everything you've learned,review it once a week. you will feel more and more comfortable and confident. It must be a big teaching hospital,14 rooms. Get enough experience (one year at least),then you can choose any hospital as you want. ...ESL nusre, sorry about my English.:p:p

RN top wage is 39/hr, caregiver shouldn't be more than 20/hr. might be 15/hr:nono:

OR is a special area no matter how many years you've worked in ER,ICU......you do need a special training. If they hired you as zero experience in OR, you are lucky to get the job, BUT you would have lots of trouble when you work. make sure you could handle before negociation.

I'm also planing to move. Which hospital do you work? do all hospitals have unions? I'm an OR nurse, 3 years experience. thanks!

Hi, welcome back! I'm an OR nurse but have no experience in heart surgery. just curious, how did you get heart surg.experience? did you take a course or just got orientation in heart room? Thanks!!!

take perioperative nursing course in Canada, many college offer it. one semester, full-time. they teach scrub and circulating. Good luck!:redpinkhe

...yeah, you are right.

I had same problem months ago. Now I just got my SSN. What you need to do is to download a visascreen form, do everything as they asked, waiting for certificate. Once you get Visa Screen Certificate, bring it and your NCLEX result to find a nursing job. Then get an offer, bring VSC and offer to border, apply working visa, apply SSN by working visa, then mail SSN to BRN, you will get your RN licence. I passed NCLEX last August, just got SSN. BUT I applied visa screen 2 years ago. Hopefuly my status will give you some picture. Good Luck!

Thanks tettito! Yes, they did tell me that once they receive my validation of RN license, they will review my case, it takes about 6 weeks. The problem is BRN need another 6 wks to process validation. ......I feel guilty to let hospital wait for me FOREVER. Anyway, hopefully they will wait.

Thanks Dragon, I also did some research----Visa Screen cant be by passed.

I have California RN license, holding TD visa, Canadian passport, living in California. been offered by two hospitals, one hospital won't wait for me since I don't have SSN, no working visa. Another hospital is my first choice, I really don't wanna lose this offer, but it takes long time to get visascreen certificate. (I have to count Christmas time:o) Is it possible to by pass visascreen? since it's only for green card, what if I don't need it? Would they give me TN visa if I live in USA more than one year, have a tax number(ITIN) and have an offer in hand? Does anyone has any experience? or does anyone know border's phone number or website. they seem hard to reach? Thanks a lot!!!!!!!!!!!

I had two interviews lately, both hospitals wanna hire me, but they need to check my background. What does that mean? include criminal record, previous working performance, credit, etc? The hospital check it through an agency, I have to provide them my SSN, is it safe? One of my friends says they would get all of my informations and they could steal my money...., I dont really believe her words, but:uhoh3:....... Have you guys been checked before being offered a job? Why don't they call a reference instead? Thanks for reply:cool:

My educator says: It takes 2 years to feel comfortable, 5 yrs to be an excellent OR nurse. It really takes yrs, everyone has gone through the same process.

I HATE cataract case!!! :angryfire easy case but too fast, lots of set up, charting, and end in 10 minutes. Both scrub nurse and circulating nurse can't stop for any second. They really should do it in day surgery.

Thanks mike and bear. I agree...but is there any practice book with multiple choice or any review book like NCLEX? How did you guys prepare for CNOR?

Preparing for CNOR exam, which book is helpful? I have Alexander's Care of the patient in surgery & ARON standard, any review book? thanks!!!

too many questions. My opinion, Union is VERY helpful with EVERYTHING. Some nurses would complain that they pay too much, but when they need help, union is always there to surport!!! I have experience.

Thank you Kitten and Calicalm for those improtants info.

thx.

just checked online, RN rate 25-38/hr

i read some threads that some ppl say agency would exploit and sign a horrible contract (some nurse even got negative paycheck after hardworking...), but they do have lots of resources and credits... i feel its hard to get a job as a foreign nurse without ssn. i'm contacting a agent, they are professional and active, i haven't signed any contract though. how many traps are there? anyone has experience or heard of anything? i would terminate if its really terrible. thanks!!!!

Thank you suzanne! Yes, I do have the letter from BRN shows I passed NCLEX and meet all their requirements except SSN. I live in L.A county, and I did apply some hospitals, they seem don't understand even if I explained. Also, I will get my visa screen certificate soon----my NCLEX result is on the way to their office, mailed from BRN. Everything seems OK, but I really feel frustrate to get an offer. Hopeless. BTW, I'm holding TD visa, Canadian passport, 4 years nursing experience in Canada... not sure if many ppl have the same prob and how did they solved.. ........Again, I appreciate for your reply! Have a good weekend!:smiletea2:

hello suzanne, could you let me know which hospital in ca would accept foreign nurse? i have canadian passport, passed nclex, living in california, but can't find any hospital understand my situation. they all ask for rn license first.... thank you!

i'm currently living in california, passed nclex, but no ssn, so board of nursing won't issue my license unless i get my social number. while i try to get a nursing job, all hospitals want see my license first, they dont understand my situation...i feel so frustrate... i called brn, the lady told me i could provide my itin number instead of ssn, i got my itin, but when i called back to confirm, another lady gave me a different answer... does anybody has the same prob? how did you solve it? :crying2:

thank you alisa and commuter!!! i really appreciate for your replies. i did apply the hospital, the hr lady was so nice and friendly. i don't care how ppl pay their health care, as long as i am happy to work there. i'm waiting for their interview, hopefully i will be hired.