ds3000

OR nurses, where I work, get the same base rate as everyone else but have a $12500 yearly differential added on.

Hi, I have a very similar background to you it seems, 4 years of floor, 2 years of ER and have just completed 2 in the OR (ENT, bronch, robot, general/onc, peds) The ER and OR are polar opposites in my experience - completely different beasts. Positives about OR - 1 pt at a time - Less overall stress - Some surgeons very nice and make you feel part of the team - when teamwork works it's great - More money (at least where I work) - Scrubbing can be a nice change from circulating, however multiple CSTs are in da house Negatives - Very limited pt/family interaction, I really miss that (I think!?) - Hardly use any 'nursing skills' from the ER, Anesthesia completely in charge of pt's hemodynamic status - ******* surgeons - Can be a bit 'dull' depending on your service (obviously this is not true for Trauma/CV/ect, especially if you're scrubbed) All ORs are different though....... I was more burned out from ER than I thought - I don't feel that anymore. I don't think I could do ER full time again though - sometimes think about going back per diem. Not having OR experience is not an issue In summary - give it a go - you can always move again if you don't like it.