SpookyCat

StringOR, I am newer to the nursing field. Because I joined the military as a new grad I had an opportunity to work on a med-surg floor for 1.5 yrs, a pain management clinic for a little under 2 yrs and the finally the OR (dream job) for 1.5 yrs. I just recently separated from the military in order to be with family. I am also planning to apply for an aesthetic RN position because of the perks of "no call," no night shift, and lesser stress of life/death/trauma situations. If I were in your position and I had an OR job available to me where the hospital was willing to appropriately train me with a periop 101 program, I would take it in a heartbeat. If you later decide that your dram job is actually in aesthetics, you can always go for it. Your OR experience will be extremely beneficial, IMO. However, if the aesthetic position is all that is available I would take it, stay at least a year for the experience and then look to apply for that OR job (at least a year looks nicer on your resume in comparison to "months.") Also, I posed a similar question awhile back in OR nursing section of this site before I became an OR nurse. Explore the reasons why people choose the OR and if you identify with those, you may be more settled with your decision one way or another. I hope this helps. Best of luck to you!

Thank you soooo unbelievably much!! Your answers are extremely helpful!

I have been becoming increasingly interested in the OR over the past 6 months. I wanted to ask a few questions. A little Hx: I am currently a Med-Surg RN in the Air Force and have been for almost 2 years. I have shadowed in the OR a couple times and followed a few patients through surgery during nursing school and during my time as a preceptee. I did an additional day about a month ago and loved it as I always have! At that last visit I tried to focus more on the nurse and her role than anything else. Still I thought her role was really interesting. I consider myself focused as a RN. I pay a good deal of attention to details. Perhaps too much in Med-Surg because my time management was very slow to come. I like working with one patient at a time and having many over the course of a day, rather than having many patients at the same time and keeping them all/or most of them over the course of a shift. I love surgeries and everything that occurs in the OR absolutely fascinates me. I feel like a fish in water there. As if I were meant for this. This Summer I plan to apply for a fellowship in the OR which will but me in a large military hospital for 3 months of training including some didactic. After, I will move to another hospital with some additional training for a commitment of at least 2 years. Thus far, I love the Air Force and the additional training opportunities I have previously been given. I am ACLS certified and have taken the didactic version of TeamSTEPPS as well as other courses including some Trauma lectures. Just today they let me Suture a pig leg! haha It was Awesome! 1.) What made you want to become an OR Nurse? 2.) What are some characteristics of a good OR Nurse? 3.) Is there anything you wish you knew before going headstrong into this field? 4.) What are some pros/cons of being an OR nurse vs a floor nurse? 5.) Is there any suggested reading material to get a head start in the field? I never want pursue anything blindly. If I am to do this, I just want to do well. I want to want it for the right reasons. Please help. Any comments/suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

I just graduated COT with the 10-06 class. For my class we were to report no later than 1600 on 23 AUG 10 and we graduated 24 SEP 2010. It ended up being 5 wks minus 1 weekend. If you just graduated (and have less than 6mos experience as an RN, I think) you will also be required to attend a Nurse Transition Program (10 wks). It is like an orientation program with a preceptor for new nurses. Just as an example: I was told that as a new nurse, it would be very unlikely that I would go overseas for my 1st duty assignment. However, I was selected to go to Elmendorf AFB, Anchorage, AK. This was my 4th choice on my overseas portion of my "dream sheet." (Yes, Alaska is considered to be overseas) Therefore, you will likely get an assignment at a base on your "dream sheet." But don't count on it being your 1st choice. The AF's needs come 1st. As long as you are open minded to it all, you could do just fine. :)

I was just on here trying to scrounge for more info about COT (starting in a little over a week). I agree with the others. That moment would be priceless in hilarity. Thanks for sharing!

Hello All! I will be moving to the Anchorage area in December '10 because I will be stationed at Elmendorf AFB. I currently have AT&T. It appears that I will have some sketchy service covering Anchorage, Eagle River, and possibly Wasilla. Verizon's coverage map looks a bit better. I also read about an Alaskan Cell phone service that is even better? I'd like to stick with a service that is reliable enough to use without getting a land line. I would also like a service that I could use when on leave in the lower 48. Any feedback/advice is greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Thank You Soooo Much!! This was VERY helpful!!!

Hey Ms Pooh! I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for all your help with this topic as well as many other USAF topics. :) FYI I just found out 2 hours ago that I am DEFINITELY getting the Loan Repayment for 3 yrs!!!!! No more Alternate list for me!!! :w00t:

Hooray for That!!!

thanks mt_nurse!

I'm actually a bit nervous/excited about it. I'll be soooo far away from home. lol It will definitely be an adventure though.

Thanks annabeap & mt_nurse!! Did/Do you have a car while you were there? I will not. Was it difficult for those without vehicles to access transportation? What kind of hours did you work? 12s? how many shifts per wk? Papers? Journals? Really??? What were they about?? How much of it is classroom vs clinical? I have an aunt that lives in Chandler AZ (20-45min away) and a friend that lives in Mesa. What is the likelihood that I'll be able to visit them? I'm graduating COT on a Friday. How many days will I have to travel? Is there someone there to pick you up at the airport? Will I start work the very next Monday? (I have heard that you do. Is this true?) Wow! Sorry to plague you guys with so many questions! Thanks for all your help!

Don't feel alone. :) Even though I'm commissioning this thursday, I still don't know how many years I'll be in for. I'm on an alternate list for loan repayment. My parents are freaked cause I'm swearing in but don't know whether its for 3 years or 4. We also don't know when I'll get orders. There is a chance that I'll have to keep my apartment even after I leave for COT in August because no orders = no move. I'm in a limbo boat for the next month and have been since graduation because no hospital would hire a new RN if shes leaving at the end of summer. It kinda drives one stir crazy to go from hectic busy in nursing school to nadda during the summer. lol Welcome to the military? Best of Luck!

Thanks but there will be no way my car will make it that far. It is almost junkyard status right now at 12 years old. lol

Hey All, I will be attending COT starting on 08/23/2010 and then graduating on 09/24/2010. After, I will be heading directly to NTP in Scottsdale, AZ. I had a few questions. Is it true that NTP at this location is not completed in a military hospital but rather at a couple different civilian hospitals? I was told that I will work with a preceptor in different clinical areas. What areas are included in this? Where do they house you for NTP and how far away is it from where I'll work? What items or clothing should I bring with me and what items should I be prepared to purchase? Will I have to buy scrubs or specific shoes? Anyone else out there going to this location at the same time? Any other comments on this location or about your experiences at NTP itself are welcomed and greatly appreciated! Thank you!