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!

My recruiter recently informed me that it would be a good idea to know the SOBs prior to COT. (Is this true? Until last week, I haven't heard of this.) I have searched everywhere for info related to this and am coming up empty handed. Where can i find this info? Thanks!

I've seen things posted on the site somewhere about specific items to bring to COT and now I can't seem to find it. Many were speaking of bringing printers, paper and other items (I think it was Ms. Pooh). I can't seem to find this info at the moment. (can someone send me a link to any threads related to this?) What I thought of doing is compiling a shopping list of sorts for things one must/should have prior to arriving to COT. "It's a good idea to purchase your military footwear (i.e. combat boots/low quarters) in advance and start to break them in early, as you will be doing a lot of marching." -OTS website. Ok, so where do I get these combat boots/low quarters? And what are the rules/requirements of them? What clothing items and quantities do I need in order to only have to wash clothes 1x/wk? My COT is 10-06 (hottest & most humid time of year) so are there any suggestions for clothing? The following is a list that I found on the OTS website (it is said that these can be bought in the shoppette?): - Shower shoes (recommended) - Pens/Pencils - Small scissors - Bath towels (recommended) - Eyeglass strap (black) - Sunscreen (Seasonal - recommended) - Toiletry kit - Ruler - Razor - Black Briefcase/Backpack (beneficial) - Alarm clock - Hangers - Shoeshine kit - Notebook - Laundry bag (recommended) - Highlighters - Laundry marker - Lint roller/Brush I was going to ask if anyone had traveled by plane to COT (it seems that there were a lot more people on here that drove)? If so what items did you bring? Did you leave the night before and stay in a hotel? Were you able to make it to a store of sorts prior to reporting to buy items that you were unable to pack? Did you feel at a major disadvantage being that you were unable to pack a carload of items? On other threads it suggests to leave almost everything in your car. Well I'm not going to have a car, so how hellish is it going to be lugging around 3 suitcases a large laptop backpack and a large purse while the instructors are screaming at me as I manage my way through the crowds??? Any suggestions for that situation? I'm going to stick out like a fat kid at an anorexia convention which isn't good if the ultimate goal is to blend. lol but uh oh! For me, I will be packing for not only COT but also NTP, which will be directly afterward. 15 weeks and 3 suitcases sounds like typical nursing. Prioritization Prioritization Prioritization!!! (ACK!!) Any tips are greatly appreciated. Sorry this post is so long and disorganized. Thank You in advance for any help!

Thanks Mid! So I'll be closer to the rear of the line (what line though?) being that my commissioning date will be this Thursday and I'm in the 10-06 class? (Yep I'm Clueless! Forgive me please!) Oooh another question: I have heard about different positions that carry extra responsibilities that one is "VOLUN-TOLD" to do. Some of these require one to complete loads more work than others. What are they exactly? I've seen a list of them somewhere on this site and now I can't find it again for the life of me. What are the responsibilities of each exactly? When/Where are these assignments made? Is there a website out there with this info? Which ones do I NOT want? lol

Hey All, I am an RN as of 6/22/10. I'm waiting to commission and hopefully it will take place sometime this week. I was just wondering what is required to access a uniform store on a base. Also, what do I need to get a military ID? I was going to travel to Wright-Patterson AFB which is about 3.5hrs away from me. Can I show my commissioning paperwork or do I have to wait till I get orders? How long does it take from the time of commissioning till I get my orders? Thanks.

Hey Mid, What do you mean about your commissioning date? There are perks to it? Thanks

I'm kind of excited to "play on the jungle gym." The thing that bothers me is the fact that I'll be there during the hottest season. I HATE Humid Heat. I'm from Ohio where there is definitely humid heat but nowhere near what I've experienced when I visited New Orleans in July. I was told it worsens in mid-late august. Yeah I know I'm SOL by being in the 10-06 class. How much physical fitness and outdoor activities does one complete during the day on average (I mean with the sun beating down on you)? What are you wearing(ABU vs PTU)? When people say bring civie clothes, what restrictions are there? Are shorts allowed or do I always have to dress business casual? (I'm referring to other posts where I was told to bring civilian clothes for the first couple/few days because not everyone will have uniforms yet.) I know I've heard of provisions for the winter months and colder climates. What about extreme heat? I really don't mean to sound whiney. I more worried about becoming ill and passing out.

Hey All FYI It worked for me!! I took my test yesterday morning. Yesterday evening I got the Good Pop-Up. Today, the Ohio Board of Nursing posts on their verification website that I AM A REGISTERED NURSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :clpty:

Same here. My motto was not to take anything for granted until that "fat lady" has gone and keeled over from hypoxia. Just out of curiosity, has anyone ever got the "Good pop-up" and failed? I've read about those who didn't and still passed. Also, not to change the subject away from PVT. Anyone on here know what the real deal is with "unofficial" results anyway? (My state offers them) Has anyone ever been told "unofficially" that they passed but then "officially" failed? Thanx and Congrats to everyone who passed!

Hey all, FYI. I took my NCLEX-RN today (0900 Eastern time) and stopped at 115ish. I got the "Good" Pop-up too! Please Please Please let it be Accurate!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! -prays to the Nursing Gods:bowingpur-

One day at a time.. Don't think of EVERYTHING that is expected. Don't be overwhelmed on the day they hand out the syllabi and state all the expectations they'll have of you until the end of the semester. Set up a daily/weekly agenda filled with short term goals. Think about when the major assignments are due and work them in little by little. You'll be fine. Just take everyday as it comes and don't forget to Breathe!