MM86

Hey! Just looking for some input from OR nurses on the best way to get into OR nursing. Here is my story/dilemma: I have been a nurse working in medsurg for a few years now, and have been wanting to enter perioperative nursing pretty much since I graduated. My first hospital didn't offer a perioperative training program, so I moved and accepted a medsurg job at a hospital with a perioperative program for their internal applicants. I've put in my 6 months at this new hospital and overall have not been impressed with the hospital or organization. I know training programs come with a two year commitment to the hospital following the program, this is something I don't feel comfortable doing at my current hospital. I'm feeling frustrated and stuck as a medsurg nurse. I don't want to accept a medsurg job at another hospital just to become an internal applicant for their perioperative training program, however I know there really is no other way to get in. I've heard of some colleges that offer OR nurse training courses. I've been thinking about doing that to get my OR training, but I'm wondering if hospitals consider that adequate? Technically I still wont have OR "experience" will that matter? Anyone heard of OR managers hiring a new OR nurse that has completed a training program but has no experience? I just don't want to waste time and money doing something that wont help me get to where I want to be, or if I'll end up having to enter a hospitals perioperative training program after I'm through anyway. Sorry that was a super long description to my question. Any advice would be fantastic! Thanks!

Looking into many periop training programs. It seems following training most have a minimum 2 year commitment. I'm curious what the typical repayment is for leaving prior to that commitment? Not something I would anticipate doing, but you never know what changes life will bring. Just want to know if the hospital I'm looking at is similar to others. What were the repayment contracts for other OR nurses and where are you located?