born2circulateRN

Congrats! Welcome to the OR!

Yes, God is soooo good! Congrats! My first offer and position was at a LTACH; it's was an invaluable experience - you will learn lots. Best wishes to you :-)

Np! How'd it go?

Hey! First off, congrats! You have interviews for specialties that people would LOVE to take. I can help you out with OR, not so much with L&D. I graduated last year, worked on the floor for about 9 months then interviewed for the OR. Now, I am in the OR. Yay, lol. During the interview, I am pretty sure they know you are a new graduate, so 99% chance they aren't going to ask you scenario questions, then again, they may. They may also ask behavioral questions. When I interviewed, I did not have any scenario questions and I had 9 months of floor experience. Uhm, some questions that I was asked during my OR interview were: 1. Why the OR? 2. Why this hospital? 3. Have you had any previous experience in the OR during nursing school? 4. Name a time you made a mistake and what did you learn from it? 5. What would your co-workers say about you? 6. What are some of your strengths? They may ask about weaknesses as well (I wasn't asked about weaknesses) 7. How well do you handle stressful situations? Do you have an example? 8. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Short-term/long-term goals? 9. How do you feel about being on-call? 10. How long is your commute to work? Usually for call, they give you a 30-minute time frame to get from your house to work. --There are also tons of websites you can Google for interview questions. Also, have questions for them. If I would not have asked questions, my interview would have been only like 15 minutes; it was like 35 minutes. It also shows them that you're really interested and serious about the position. Ask questions like: 1. What's the biggest challenge for new orientees? 2. How long is orientation? 3. What does orientation entail? Classroom/lecture? Would scrubbing be included within the orientation? 4. What type of shifts are offered? 8s? 10s? 12s? nights? evenings? 5. What's the census of the patients? 6. How often are we required to take call? 7. Dress policy in the OR? 8. How many OR suites? 9. Types of services? *I would not ask about pay; I never ask about pay - I would let them bring it up. First, look up the average pay around your area. If they ask, say you're totally open and willing to negotiate; I mean, you're a new graduate -if you're too picky, they will let you go and interview the next person --if you're being unreasonable. Also, be confident and professional and CONFIDENT, lol. Hope this helps, Good Luck!

I recently had an interview; it only lasted 35 minutes. If I hadn't had questions lined up for them to answer it probably would have lasted only like 15 minutes; so make sure you have questions for them. I thought that was a bad sign because it seemed so short--but I received an offer within the next two weeks :-)

Hey, I'm a new perioperative RN as well. Well, I don't start until next week, but boy am I excited. My orientation will last 6 months, as opposed to a year like yours, whoa! I'm glad it's going great for you; I hope to be saying the same thing. What would you say your biggest pro, con, and challenge is thus far? Congrats and Good Luck on the new position!

I'm leaving bedside after 9 months. Hello to the operating room!

@Canes, thanks so much! I really appreciate the detailed preference card, definitely gives me a better idea. And I'll definitely come back if I have more questions. Thanks again for the great advice everyone! @Anniehow, Congrats again! When are you starting?

Yay! Congrats! Good Luck on the NCLEX and on your journey to become a great OR nurse!

I really really do like the idea of setting goals; I've been working on a list already. Thanks so much for everything and good luck!

Woohoo, Congrats and Good Luck!

The Otis elevator, haha.. Thanks so much all of you! I will definitely respect and be sweet to everyone. I'm am so looking forward to starting. Thanks again for the advice everyone.

This is an awesome article. I start in the OR next month and this has given me a better view of the OR nurse's role-- I'm so excited! Thanks again!

Most definitely. I 2nd that! Sent from my iPhone using allnurses.com

@ Encast - Congrats and Good Luck on the new position Encast! Wishing you the best of luck! @Kimberley.RN - Good Luck to you as well; with dedication and motivation you will find what you're looking for!

Thanks so much for the tips and Congrats as well! I will definitely keep your tips in mind. And do you have any recommended resources? I have Pocket guide for the perioperative nurse. But I haven't started reading it yet, so I probably should. And I know that you've only been in your fellowship for 3 weeks and everything is still new. But, what would say your biggest challenge is? Pros/cons? Thanks! Sent from my iPhone using allnurses.com

Hello! I have accepted an internship in the OR. I am so excited. I graduated May 2012 and have been working as a RN for 8 months. I start in June and cannot wait. I am so ready for this learning curve :-) I would appreciate any tips/advice. I also would like to hear from anyone in my shoes, in the process and anyone wanting to get into the OR. Thanks!

Fingers crossed! Wishing you the best of luck! Sent from my iPhone using allnurses.com

That's awesome! Congrats and Good Luck!

Depends on your location. Some start where they want --and some start in LTC or med-surg as one of the PPs stated. There are hospitals that will offer residency and internship programs for new graduates. However, I did not get in an official residency program - but I did get a 3 month orientation. I was hired at a LTACH which is like critical care/med-surg for my first job. It was my first and only offer, and I didn't want to be to picky and be without a job for God knows how long. It's been about 8 months now - I've been blessed with a great opportunity to get into a specialty of my choice. I start this summer. Good Luck!

Ahhh! Congrats. It must be so exciting. I recently had an interview for an OR position this month - first real interview. I was so excited for the opportunity as well. Wishing you the best of luck!

@BlueGrassGreenSkies - Hey! I see that you are looking for apartments in Temple. Did you receive an offer?

Oral surgery, IMO. It may not be floor nursing, which isn't all gold and candy anyway - but you will get lots of experience with your assessment skills and IV sedation. Also, I don't think you'd get burnt out so easily. And did I mention, tons of nurses would love to take that position. As far as LTC, there's nothing wrong with LTC - though I've never worked in one, but you would be an assistant manager - lots of responsibilities, then on top of that - they want you to work on the floor as well. Double work. So, if it were me, I'd choose surgery. Good Luck on your decision!

I'm in the same boat, however, I graduated May 2012 with my BSN. I am currently employed as an RN- but I want to try something very different and more challenging - and something is pulling me towards the OR. I interviewed for an OR internship last week - it was also a 3 panel interview. It's been a week for me as well; I followed up with the recruiter this week, but they are still in the process of deciding and maybe interviewing, I am assuming. The wait is the worst part! I really really want this position; I've even been looking at scrub hats, haha. So, you're definitely not the only one. :-) With dedication and motivation, we will get there. Also, my current employment - which is not OR, but I received an official offer in 2 days not counting the weekend. Sending prayers both of our ways! Good Luck and Stay Positive!