swank123

Hi BSN_RN, I would be interested to know where you ended up and how you like it. And I'd like to know what your take on the Austin OR scene is. I'm an Austin native who is considering a move to nursing and I'm really attracted to OR nursing. Hope everything worked out for you!

Thanks for the help, y'all!!

Thanks for the answers, Rose_Queen and edel254. So I'm wondering now: Let's say you want to be an RNFA one day...how would you get the scrub experience required for RNFA training if most places use STs? Because don't you have to have scrub exp. for RNFA training or do you just have to be CNOR certified? Thanks.

Hey guys, So I'm a ways away from being an OR nurse, but different things I've read here on AN have led me to ask: How common is it for an OR to train a newbie for the scrub role? I've read about nurses not really getting to scrub since there are PAs/residents/former surg techs/NPs with surgical exp/etc who would more likely supercede a new employee. So I'm wondering, would a new OR nurse get scrub training after some time (like a year or so)? Or would one have to proactively ask for that experience? Or am I completely wrong and it actually is common for newbies to get scrub training? I only ask because it seems like I keep reading about newbies that only get trained as circulators or something like that? Can anybody speak to this? Thanks!!!

I was under the impression that getting your NP and working with a Dr. as an RNFA paid very well. I seem to recall reading on one of these AllNurses forums about NPs who have OR experience and first assist experience who end end up doing the same job as a surgical PA more or less, and making some $ in the process. Am I mistaken? Can anyone validate this?

So, phe677239, any luck in landing that OR job? Give us details if you did!

@kaswyroo - that's a pretty darn well-rounded pre nursing background. You could probably get in to any nursing school with that experience. @ms311 - I think you're a shoe-in, too. You guys will be halfway to the NCLEX a year from now.

@Flyonn: Got your CNA cert yet? Any luck finding a job? @ms311: How was that anatomy summer session? Summer Chem I kept my nose in the book but I pulled an A somehow. Still taking an 8 week Patho. It is TOUGH!

Welcome. I think among TT's admitting criteria (grades, work exp, volunteer exp, online class exp, general background) if you're showing up in at least 4 out of 5 fields, then you're a competitive applicant. That's what I think based on TT website and other forums. So ms311, I think you're in a good position.

@Flyonn: Yeah, I've considered nursing homes, I just figured since I know a few people at hospitals I'd try to go that route. But I'll probably turn to the LTC option if I can't get in a hospital. That's pretty cool your wife is a PA. That will be an all-medical family before long. @brabuckl: Sounds like you're on the right track. Tell us how the TEAS treats you. Good luck! The coordinators told me they look for experience with online classes. Anyone been through those? I've taken a few but not necessarily a load like what they throw at you.

Flyonn, Yeah, I'm in Austin. I'm taking 3 classes right now and two more in the fall. I've got some bad grades from undergrad (like, 10 years ago) but my last two years were pretty good so I hope that upward trend helps. Plus I've had some online courses and heavy course loads. I got my CNA through ACC but I can't get a freakin job. I've got two "ins" at two different hospitals but they both tell me that right before summer hit their departments hired all the clinical assistants/patient care techs they needed and that it may take a month or two for anything to open up. It would truly suck if that lack of CNA work experience kept me from getting in. I've got some volunteer experience, like 75 hours, so I'll try to focus on the quality of those hours in my application. Anywho, good luck on getting a job, my friend. My advice to you is to start a volunteer position now and try to parlay that in to a paid gig. Even if it doesn't turn in to a job for you, the volunteer exp. looks good. Peace out for now.

I'm currently taking prereqs at ACC. Just finished medical terminology, anatomy, and developmental psych with good grades. About to take chemistry, patho, and nutrition as summer courses. Yikes. Got some volunteer experience but trying to get a hospital job with my CNA certification. Where the jobs at, yo?

Anyone applying to Texas Tech's program, specifically the 2nd degree Austin program? What is your work experience? What prereqs have you taken/still need? Volunteering? GPA? Heard anything interesting lately about the program? Let's get to chatting!