Mdsokol

I am a 23 year old male, recent graduate nurse as of December 2015. This is my first career. I accepted a position in the OR in Feb 2016 as part of an accredited RN residency program. It is a nice program that ensures I am well supported with a preceptor for 22 weeks. I am finally on my own and I feel well prepared. The kicker is that I make a below average pay at $23.19/hr (~45k/yr). A big issue is that I am in Austin, Texas. The cost of living is high, and my pay is not enough to justify the high living expense. There are a lot of contract employees in my department, all of which make quite a deal more than I do. I understand increased pay comes with experience, but how much? It's a bit of a loaded question, but at what point should I seek more money? My current plan is to tough it out until I have a year's experience under my belt and consider transferring elsewhere. Any suggestions?

Apply to the positions. The demand for OR nurses is is high. At least in Austin, TX. I started in the OR in Feb of this year and graduated with and ADN in december. I applied to a residency before I even finished my last semester. I will agree with you that they would much rather have a BSN nurse than an ADN, but don't let that bother you. In my area the nurses loathed the BSN students and loved when us community college students came. The BSN programs generally are full of young kids with zero life experience and don't know what they're doing. A lot of ADN students have chosen this career as a second profession, so they come to the table as much more professional. Irrelevant info. Don't sell yourself short because you have an ADN. Like you said you have 10 years experience as an LPN, that's huge. They will hire the best candidate based on qualities. Nursing schools teach absolutwly minimal information about what being a circulator is really about, and there's a huge learning curve. Show you're PASSIONATE. Show up to the interview ready to ask questions, ask for a tour. Make sure you present yourself as a team player. Being a team player is huge. Show that you have a calm demeanor under pressure and you can handle the worst of surgeons. A residency program will be your best bet. They will likely pay you much less, but the training is necessary and worth it! The OR is insanely fun, and I couldn't see myself going anywhere else. Well, maybe ICU to eventually become a CRNA but then I'd come back to the OR where I belong.