Vincent12

Thanks for your input benrosy! I'm in process of applying for Texas Tech. I work in ambulatory surgery right now so the schedule is pretty relaxed. I'm very excited to see that there are other OR nurses going into advanced practice. I think the FNP may be best since I'm thinking of RNFA as a possibility. Nursing is so great because there is so much we can do if we put our mind to it. There is a misconception in some circles that OR nurses don't do "patient care" and boy are they wrong! ������

I was looking into applying for the fall 2019 FNP at TTUHSC. Like some of you that have posted on this thread I did my RN to BSN through Texas Tech and really enjoyed the program. Does anyone know if the research course requirement for admission into the MSN program is fulfilled by the BSN course NURS 4373. Its "Introduction the Evidence". I ask because I'm concerned I need to take some other research course to qualify for the MSN program. Thanks in advance for your input í ½í±

Are there any OR nurses here who went to school for FNP? I am an ambulatory circulator and would like to venture into working as a nurse practitioner. I would love to hear about anyone's experience in this career track. I don't know if I want to stay in surgery as an FNP but I am very open to the possibility. I have med/Surg experience but love my schedule at the surgery center. Are you an ambulatory surgery nurse who is now an FNP? What has the transition been like? Thanks in advance.

MAC is working out so far☺️. Maybe we should start another discussion for those of us starting the program in January. I've chosen the 2 semester option....hope it's not too much. Did you happen to get a email that was regarding online orientation issues? I guess it was a general email sent to all and she doesn't want us to email or call back. I went through everything again to make sure it was done but no word that my stuff is complete from themí ½í¸

So doing the online orientation and finding that having a MAC really does not work. Anyone else having issues? Thinking I need to go to public library where I can use a regular PCí ½í¸

No. I actually found my niche in the OR. Thanks for asking í ½í¸‰

That is so awesome! Congrats!

Received a contingent acceptance!

Is it totally online? Thanks

HI Pacsun. Is it all online?

That's great twoy83! I think that because my prerequisites are incomplete that I may not get in í ½í¸. I wrote an email to the advisor hoping she could give me an idea about my chances of acceptance. I am a OR nurse and have been a nurse for a year now. I'm ready to get going with this next degree! Let's both hope for the bestí ½í¸€

Hello all! I'm reaching out to anyone who has applied to Texas Tech's online RN to BSN program either currently or in the past year. I wanted to start at Texas Tech next Spring (2016) but from what I hear it is very competitive. I have been an RN for one year and work in the OR. I have a 4.0 GPA for my prerequisites and a 3.75 GPA for my ADN degree. I am a Texas Resident but live in the DFW area. I have three prerequisite courses to finish. I am currently enrolled in HIST I and TX GOVT. and will complete those July 9th 2015. I am also enrolled in AMERICAN LIT. which starts 7/13/15 due to be completed by 8/20/15. I have turned in all transcripts and emailed the TTUHSC RN adviser proof of my enrollment in these last courses. Do I stand a chance to get in next Spring? Thank you in advance :)

So excited to leave med surg! I broke the contract, and paid the $5k. I am going to work day surgery and train to circulate! Really excited the pay and the hours are so much better as well. I have been pretty miserable and realize I am just not a med surg nurse. I am so grateful for the experience I gained but it's time to move on! í ½í¸ƒ

That's great wannabe í ½í¸ƒI got great news a couple days ago! I got an offer to work in a day surgery center and be trained to be a circulator. I am really excited to get my foot in the door and get started on my OR careerí ½í¸· NO MORE med/surg! I must say though, the OR manger I interviewed with was impressed by me going in to med/surg for experience. As hard as my floor is I know my experience there is invaluable!

Yes, curious if anyone has had that experience too. 12 grand is a lot!

$5000

It's definitely tough being a new grad because you take whatever job comes. I also was afraid not to take the first job offered. Now I'm trying to do what I really wanted to do. Grateful for the experience I'm getting for the time being. I can only go by my area Xaldin but I'm pretty sure 17 an hr. For an RN is pretty low. The lowest GNs start here is about 23 to 24 an hour. Good luck in your pursuitsí ½í¸Š

Sorry about that. I thought I included location. I'm in North Texas. Actually I am open to hearing from nurses across the country. I'm transitioning from hospital to ASC and would like to know what to expect salary wise. Thank you

Greetings! I have been trying for an OR RN position with local ambulatory surgical centers. I have interviewed for one and loved the facility and staff I met. I have another interview coming up as well. My only concern is salary. The hourly pay is higher than my hospital job but I have heard that you often don't get your full hours each week so hence the higher hourly wage. Would any nurses be willing to tell me what there annual salary is so I can compare to my current position? I don't mind having dry spells in hours as long as I make up for it in overtime. Its the yearly salary that concerns me. Thanks in advance.

Thank you for sharing your experience. I will probably never be able to work at that facility or its affiliates because of the breach and I am willing to take accountability for my actions. I wish I knew then (at contract signing) what I know now. 2 years can be a huge commitment when you're miserable in your job. Thanks for your words of support.

I am looking for advice from any GN nurses that had signed a 2 year residency contract and then breached it. I will owe a fee if I break the contract but I may have a job offer in a specialty I really want to do. I am willing to pay the fee since this new job pays far better than my residency job. I would like to hear your experiences. Thank you

That's great Wannabe! I sure hope I get an interview soon. Your story gives me hope!

To my knowledge most all hospitals have some sort of residency but length of residency, contract agreements, and pay vary. As a GN I was desperate for a job and signed a 2 year contract on a Med/surg floor. The facility has a great reputation but boy do I hate med/surg. You never know till you actually work on a floor what it's really like. My contract states that I must stay on my unit the full two years but arrangements can MAYBE be made to transfer to another unit. I am now hearing from past residents that managers will make it very difficult for you to transfer before your contract is up. I understand their perspective because they are paying lots of money and time to train new GNs. Many of my cohorts got jobs in "less desirable" facilities, did there 6 mos. and now got jobs in areas with better pay and an area they enjoy. Although they initially worked in an area that wasn't a first choice they got experience, $, and were free to leave if they chose. It is very difficult to get in the specialty of your choice especially if your an ADN like I was. Working in a nursing home, outpatient clinics, and non-hospital jobs usually only have an orientation period with paid training. Some smaller hospitals in rural areas have very brief orientation, no contract, and you are on your own pretty quickly. These are all options and all have their good and bad points. The main point is to get experience. If you are lucky enough to get a big hospital residency in a specialty you really enjoy then that's great! If you just need experience in a hospital without residency contracts check out smaller facilities in Weatherford, Wise County, or Granbury. Please know that this is info based on my experience and information shared with me by friends in other facilities. Nursing is a great journey and we all have different paths. Just be aware that every facility, every unit, and area of nursing is different and it may take time to find your niche. Although I am not happy in the area I work I take every moment in my job to learn and gain experience. Good luck everyone.

Residencies are not what they seem. Please be warned...a contract as well as low hourly wage are part of the deal. Yes, the wage is better than nothing and yes a job is better than no job but there are jobs out there that don't have a contract. My advice is to work six months to a year doing something like dialysis clinics, vaccine clinics, or something to get experience. There are a lot of small hospitals that hire new grads all the time and thats because they always leave to greener pastures. But at least you can look for your dream job while you work and get experience without getting stuck in a contract. I was in a residency and my cohorts that got jobs like those I mentioned were payed better than me and were eventually able to land jobs with hospitals after 6 to 12 months doing something they really wanted to do. Don't give up. Keep looking. Keep applying. There are jobs. You may have to commute are work in an area your not in love with but its at least a step in the right direction. Good luck

Dont lose hope WannaBNursey. I think we just need to apply, apply, apply. I would try HR again if you don't hear anything. They really should contact you either way. Did you email a thank you letter to the manager after the interview?