NewtoOR

I attended BCIT in the past and bought all the required and mandatory books. I found that I didn't used the following books very much. 1. Physical Examination & Health Assessment 2. Canadian Fundamentals of Nursing 3. Mosby's Manual of Diagnostic and Laboratory Tests I used the above books mainly for PBL level 1. It's hard to sell books afterwards so maybe sharing the above books would be a good investment.

Hi AirForceRN, Thanks for your response. I've been independently taking perioperative theory courses the past year. I'm with Vancouver Coastal Health but not VGH.

Hi AirForceRN, I would like to meet with a NO in the Vancouver, BC area. How do I get in touch with one? I intend on applying online as well. Thanks for posting information on the CF!

Hello, There are several youtube videos produced by BCIT which cover many of the questions you posted. Here is a link to a BCIT nursing info session: Nursing Info Session - Program Advisor - YouTube Also, make an appointment with the nursing program advisor. Her contact information is posted in the above youtube video. I hope it helps.

As an update, I got the answers I was looking for in my original post by speaking to an experienced OR nurse and educator. I decided to focus on working in an acute care setting for a few years and getting some formal high acuity training before pursuing any specialty.

Hi, Congratulations on graduating from nursing school! I went through a similar experience when I graduated in BC over a year ago. I went back to the wards that I did my final clinical rotations and got a casual job. I was willing to be 100% short call which meant no pre-booked shifts and willingness to respond to any call for work that I would receive for day, evening and night shift. Try going to the wards you worked at during nursing school and speak to the managers. The face-to-face contact makes a big difference. Also, be open to taking whatever position you can get within any health authority and then apply for internal positions. Be open to taking 100% short-call positions which means being open to taking last minute staffing request calls and showing up on short notice for work. The market is tough for new grads but do what you have to do to get your foot in the door. Also, I did volunteer work as an RN in order to get more experience and network with other nurses. One year later, I am still struggling myself. I'm applying up North and the Interior in order to get more shifts and consolidate my nursing skills. Try the rural areas, Interior, Vancouver Island or Northern Health as well. Good luck in your search!

Hello everyone, I would like to get some objective feedback from new and experienced perioperative nurses anywhere within British Columbia Canada. Here are some of my questions. 1. Did you get two years of acute care experience before specializing in perioperative nursing? 2. Did you immediately enter perioperative nursing after graduating from nursing school (e.g. sponsored by health authority)? If so, did you find it challenging to work in the field without a few years of acute care experience. The reason that I ask the above is because of the changing requirements of health authorities for nurses wishing to specialize in perioperative nursing. As of Spring 2013, it seems most health authorities require 2 years of operating room experience coupled with a background in acute care/high acuity. In the past, new grads were entering perioperative nursing without gaining 2 years of experience on an acute care ward. Also, any advice for a new grad with one year of general nursing experience hoping to enter perioperative nursing. Should I focus on gaining a few years of high acuity experience? Will a strong acute care background assist me in the transition into perioperative nursing? Or, did you manage relatively well in the OR without an acute care background? I would love to hear from perioperative nurses in the Interior as well. Thank you for your feedback in advance.