yoland

I almost always draw my own blood. We have no phlebotomy team, so it's the RN or the PCT. Yes, definitely, the blood culture goes 1st, but I would not mind at all if a phlebotomist educated me on the order of the draw. You do blood draws for a living, for Pete's sake! I am not good at the order, like does blue go before purple? But I also like to ask PCT's how they prefer to do things with a patient if they have more experience than I do with either the patient or just more experience in general. Why not? She owes you an apology and she owes it to her patients to educate herself.

So true! I actually was a waitress before RN, and it definitely helped! Also, you learn to deal with a lot of baloney that people dish out, and just let it go. I don't know about other parts of the country, but around here "Patient Satisfaction" (read Family and Visitor Satisfaction, and surveys) requires the RNs and other hospital workers to go WAY above and beyond normal service and kindness and to put up with some very outrageous behavior. It is shocking just what people think they are entitled to!

I have heard that you also need to be careful about accreditation-that some MSN programs have restrictions on degrees from programs with certain accreditations. I'm also looking into BSN programs, and, so far, St Joseph College of Maine and Utica College look pretty good. Seems like I keep going in circles and any input/suggestions/comments would be much appreciated!

I did speak to the OR manager, who told me that, while my facility used to have an OR nursing program, it doesn't anymore as they now have an OR nurse educator, but always try to hire experienced OR nurses. She didn't even know of any program/place to learn, but wished me luck. Ditto from manager of surgery center when I called him. My relationship w my manager is ok, but she is not very supportive when faced w losing staff, and, if I can't find another job, I can't jeopardize my position! Great suggestion though, to talk to surgeons and PA's. They might know someone elsewhere. Thanks!

Thanks a lot and good luck to you, too! I have finally decided exactly where I want to be, and now I can't get in. Very frustrating! I did see programs in Arizona and California,but I have a family and that is not really feasible. But maybe it is for you. Southwest, Gateway(in AZ, not CT) and Mayo offering programs. Good luck!

Hi All, I would love to get into the OR after 5+ yrs in Ortho/Neuro at a large teaching hospital. Unfortunately, all the job opportunities I am finding require OR experience, and I'm really having a hard time finding any periop programs. I did try surgery centers and hospitals that offer Periop 101(I guess to employees?) and have called and emailed contacts listed on AORN Periop 101 list, but have had no luck. If anyone has suggestions, please help! Thanks