littlemango

Will I be able to access these modules from home to review after the workday is over? Or does the PeriOp101 course offer physical material with the same content from the modules? I currently work on a medsurg unit as a tech where although I don't mind it one bit for now, I can foresee burnout working as a nurse and have spoken to some of the newer nurses who are already feeling it. So I'd like to avoid this as much as possible and jump right into OR nursing, if I can. And if I had the chance to choose between the two- OR, all the way.

Such good advice!

Rose_Queen, thank you for responding! At the teaching hospital I am hoping to interview for, I was told by one of the circulating nurses that orientees go through all of the specialties for the first three months, and following this, are able to select a specialty they are interested in and continue their orientation there. Is this the same at your facility? Also, do you find that new grads that go through PeriOp101 find the material easy to understand with little nursing experience? What is the format like? So far in my periop elective course, the information is coming naturally to me- very easy to understand however there is a tremendous amount of information. It really is the basics, but I'm sure learning through this elective course will help me in the long run. I've heard of Alexander's from my professors and saw it on the AORN's online bookstore, so I will see to it that I will have it in my hands before interviewing. I'd like to impress the clinical educator and OR manager, and I'm sure having a basic knowledge of the major surgeries will help me in accomplishing this. I'm sure they will expect that I won't know everything, as I am still very, very new to perioperative nursing. (I also am a student member of AORN and have been receiving their journals through the mail, so I've been keeping myself updated with some of the articles so I can possibly mention them.) I've also bought a surgical technology book from my local community college that explains (with pictures) the basics on aseptic technique, scrubbing in, and specimen collection to mention a few. I've been reviewing it here and there, as I hope to scrub in the event that surgical techs are short. At this time, I am between the idea of starting in the OR or starting on the medsurg floor I currently work in at the same hospital. Some OR nurses I've spoken to that started in other specialties have told me to start on the floor first in order to develop the organizational skills. Others have told me to start in the OR. I've been unsure as to whose advice to listen to, but I am happy you, Rose_Queen, and WhoDatWhoDare have given me insight as to what practicing OR nurses' perceptions of new grads are, and now I am hoping that the interview with the OR at this hospital will go through successfully. The current program I am hoping to interview for is for graduating seniors in nursing school who would like to have practicum there, but in return must sign a contract to stay on the unit for 2 years following graduation. I was told that I am possibly the only one hoping to end up in the OR for this cycle, and I'd like to take this opportunity to start gaining experience as soon as possible. I'm very passionate about this specialty! If I am able to get in, I don't see myself changing specialties in the future. :)

Understood. I hope the year's time in orientation will help me with this. (If I get the position!) Regarding booked cases, how early in advance are you able to view them? Per recommendation from one of the threads here on allnurses, I bought Maxine Goldman's Pocket Guide to the Operating Room, 3rd Edition in hopes that it will help me to review cases prior to receiving the patient the day of surgery. I expect there to be hours of studying after each workday as well, and I'm sure this guide will help me. I love it because it is so easy to read, even for a newbie like me. However, I was speaking with my periop professor about the book, and with the guide being from 2008... we were wondering if there was a more recent alternative, if you, Rose_Queen, or any seasoned OR nurse can suggest any?

Hi, WhoDatWhoDare! Thanks for the interview advice! Also... I'm glad you understood what I meant! I spoke to the clinical nurse educator at the hospital I am attending for clinical, and she said the same about having the right attitude for learning in the OR. I've observed about five procedures (peds, OB, vascular) and there is certainly a large amount of information to learn... so I can see where learning new material can be hard for those who have experience working floors. That is part of the reason why I'd like to start my career in the OR right out of nursing school. Hopefully my memorization skills will come in handy! Thanks again!

Hello! WhoDatWhoDare and Rose_Queen, in your experience seeing new OR nurses being oriented, what seems to be the average amount of time a new OR nurse becomes accustomed to and more comfortable in the OR? I have been told the more orientation, the better... but I am assuming the orientation depends on the nurse. Also, what is your opinion of new grads entering the OR? There is a possibility that I will be interviewing for an OR position in the future. Any tips on what I should emphasize during the interview?

Good luck, everyone!

Thank you for replying, Rose_Queen! I will be sure to ask when I call for more information on the program. I am debating whether or not to become an RNFA, as (I've been told) I have excellent hand-eye coordination with my previous interests and current job, and I am sure this will come in handy (no pun intended) if I am to assist a surgeon.

Yes it is! Today was supposed to be our first day back (first day of senior year for me), but many of us cannot even get out of our homes because of Jonas. Tomorrow's classes have also been cancelled. When I have the chance I will ask my professor if they will have the perioperative elective available in the summer. I surely hope it will be, as I am so looking forward to it!

Hi everyone, I'm very new to the world of OR nursing. As a student nurse, I am very interested in the specialty and am looking to join an OR fellowship at one of the hospitals I work for, which trains new grads and seasoned nurses how to circulate and scrub. Once in the OR, are you able to choose to scrub or circulate that day, or are you hired specifically as a scrub or circulating nurse? (Sorry, I hope this isn't a dumb question.)

You guys got this!

This was very informative! I hope to take the perioperative elective next year, as I am interested in this specialty of nursing. I'll make sure to refer to this FAQ beforehand. This will also be helpful if I get into the OR Nurse Fellowship I am aiming for post-graduation! Thanks again!

Congrats!!! I am between OR, wound care, and infusion nursing, but I am now seriously leaning toward OR nursing just because of the post-graduation fellowship opportunity at the hospital I will be working at. I hope to be in your shoes by this time next year! :) Again, congrats! 2016 will be a very stressful, yet rewarding year for us both!

This was a great article, just what I was looking for! I have an interview for a student nurse position tomorrow at a pretty reputable hospital in my area, so the information in this article definitely helped calm my nerves. Along with the second comment, I was also told for my interview tomorrow to either come in scrubs or bring a pair for share time after the interview. I'm planning on ironing a pair that I use for work and hanging it in the backseat so it doesn't wrinkle-up with the seat belt while I am driving. Thanks, Bridgid! Wish me luck.

Thank you for the replies! :) I've been looking into senior practicum and have been told to do medsurg or oncology by my professors. What would you suggest I do in order to prepare myself for infusion nursing? During my first few years as a nurse in either field, I intend to study for the CRNI examination and join the local chapter in my area once I have a national INS#.