ILUVFLRN

Thank you all for the insightful advice. I have applied for a position with my current employer in hopes of getting an interview based on my reputation. I love the OR and the surgical team I work with but am planning on furthering my education and pursue a career as a CRNA. Problem - most universities require at least one year experience in a critical care environment prior to applying. Keeping my fingers crossed that I get a stroke of good luck. Thanks again for the advice and well wishes.

I have been a OR circulating nurse for three years and am considering transferring to a Level 1 trauma center with the hopes of securing a position in the Emergency Room. The problem is the job openings I have applied to require at least 1 year experience in an ER setting. Any suggestions as to what I can do to get an employer's attention and consider my experience in the OR? Thank you!

I, too, suffer from test anxiety. Went to therapy for a few years which helped me gain my confidence back and improve my test taking strategies but after failing NCLEX (received the entire 265 questions), I was distraught and went to see a hypnotist who specialized in anxiety disorders. After a few sessions, I rescheduled the exam, continued to study 3-4 hours per day, attended a Kaplan classroom-based course and passed NCLEX on the 2nd attempt with 76 questions. I felt much more relaxed, didn't have "butterflies" in my stomach and was able to focus better the second time around - hypnosis worked for me. Tell your husband not to give up. Good luck.

I am a RN in So. Florida and make $26/hour (hired and trained as a new grad last year). I love everything Florida has to offer - great weather, beautiful beaches and a laid-back life style which may take same time to get used to if you are from a big city (I am originally from NYC). I recently relocated from an area in Central Florida on the East Coast known as "The Space Coast". It is a wonderful place to raise a family. Check out this fairly new town - Viera, FL. Quite a few of it's residents work in the Aerospace Industry (NASA, Harris, Norththrop Grumman and Rockwell Collins all call the area home) and a new hospital as well as shopping malls, restaurants and schools have been recently built to accommodate the fast growing population. I left after graduating with my BSN and relocated to So. Florida to procure work in a large city. I love the casual life-style and am thrilled to call Florida "home". Best of luck to you and I hope to welcome you to the sunshine state!

Butterflykissesxo - Suggestion: apply as soon as possible for your California license - it can take 6-8 weeks to actually get it. I am sure you have heard the job market in San Francisco is very competitive. If you do not have at least 2 years of RN experience, it can take a very long time, if luck is on your side, to get an interview. As a new grad with a BSN, I was unsuccessful in obtaining employment in the SF Bay area. After six months of applying to every RN job (hospital, LTC facility, nursing home, per diem, agency, etc.) I relocated to my home state and secured a position immediately in a perioperative training program. Best of luck to you!

I am currently in the OR and was hired as a new grad for a perioperative training program (6 months). The hospital required a three year commitment after the completion of the program (I signed a binding contract). I heard many negative comments about the OR environment (you will lose your bedside nursing skills, it's so stressful and high paced, the doctors are nasty, etc.) but I truly enjoy working with a team of very talented and dedicated surgeons, techs, etc. In 10 months, I have learned so much and presently believe this is the best place for me. Good luck to you.

The university I attended had hundreds of applicants for their nursing program and were very selective as to who was accepted - only 120 seats (which included the accelerated BSN program as well). Most of my fellow colleagues were A/B+ students (prerequisites) - the university required a minimum 3.0 GPA for consideration. Good luck to you!

In the OR M-F 8hours/day - on call 2 times/week (4 hours OT/per call).

Never give up - I battled test anxiety throughout primary and secondary school as well as college. I invested in Kaplan's classroom based NCLEX RN review after graduation which guaranteed "you pass or receive a full refund." The instructor coached me and boosted my self-confidence which eliminated any apprehension I had regarding NCLEX. I was able to focus and look at test taking differently - I was no longer intimidated by NCLEX and when I sat for the exam, I passed with 76 questions. You'll get through this - just keep trying. Best of luck to you!

Miami - Speciality $26/hr base

Never give up. You have come this far - you will pass. Good luck to you!

Congrats RN!

So true! I accepted an OR position as a new grad and work with many seasoned RNs from med/surg, ER, L&D, etc. Most have no desire to return to bedside nursing - reason being nurse to patient ratio and the work schedule. I don't plan on spending my entire career in the OR - I like change - but for now, where I am, is fine by me. Although I don't have any basis for comparison as OR nursing is all I know, I do enjoy going to the OR every day and working with such a skilled surgical team. I also make a few dollars more per hour than my fellow nursing school grads. Good luck to you whichever route you choose!

Kaplan classroom based NCLEX RN review worked for me. After completing the course, I had a much better understanding of NCLEX and passed the test with 76 questions.

Once - 76 questions. I attended a Kaplan classroom based NCLEX RN review. 21 hours of instruction and they guarantee you pass or you receive a full refund. It was well worth the initial investment.

I am an OR nurse and was required to obtain my ACLS certification within 6 months of employment. This was stated in my contract and was paid for by the hospital.

CONGRATS RN!

You got this!

My hospital offers the courses too and I obtained my ACLS three months after beginning employment (already had BLS which I acquired after graduation and NCLEX). This particular course was required and had to be completed within a certain time-frame according to my OR hospital contract.

I work in the OR. Monday-Friday 7:00am - 3:00pm. Perhaps there is a hospital in your area that is willing to train you for a perioperative position. Good Luck!

Congrats RN!

As a new grad, I too, accepted a job (only offer I had) in the OR at a trauma II hospital. After completing an intense 6 month training program, I am now working as an OR RN with a highly skilled surgical team. The environment is extremely stressful and face-paced and each and every day is challenging but I love what I do and wouldn't want to work anywhere else. It is very rewarding to know that your surgical team has tremendous trust in you as their OR nurse. Good luck and no doubt you will be a wonderful addition to the OR!

I took Kaplan's classroom based course which really helped me understand the questions on the NCLEX. I strongly recommend it if one is offered in your area. It was a bit pricey but it was well worth it - I passed with 76 questions! Good luck!

When I walked into HR with resume in hand, I was told by the administrator in a stern voice that the hospital accepts on-line applications only. I wasn't even given the opportunity to leave my information and it was very clear to me if I did, it would end up in the trash can. I didn't have much luck as a new grad obtaining employment by completing on-line applications - I attended a job fair, interviewed on site and was offered a position in a perioperative program (which I eagerly accepted) and have been happily employed for 7 months. Best of luck to you which ever way you obtain employment!

Kudos to you for your sound advice! Never give up! As dbrenda says "you got this"!!!!