Question for Those Experienced!!!

Published

Hello fellow Or Nurses,

It has been a long time since I've posted on Allnurses.com... But I still read the discussions weekly... I've Got a few questions to those nurses that have been around the block a few times... And would love to gain some information...

My hx.... Med/surg nurse 2 yrs... OR nurse going on 8 months... My primary position is Circulating, but I've been crossed trained in PACU due to Med/surg Post op care and My exp in icu from Floating on pick up days... (pick up days = Overtime days) I'm cert PALS and ACLS... Hospital: Small Rural hospital 103 bed Facility... And on a normal Day we have about 19 surgeries... Mostly General and Ortho (hips and knees)...

Questions I've been pondering on are as follows: If I decide to travel as an OR circulator, is it wise for me to get my CNOR? Should I seek out a bigger Facility in the next few months to gain knowledge towards my CNOR and Travel Nursing for example go to a bigger university hospital or Trauma Type hospital? If I decide to Go to a large hospital should I specialize in a certain type of surgeries i.e. Open Heart/ortho/general... I like longer bigger cases, basically open belly cases, What type of specialty should i look at? Or should I stay at My small hospital Until I get MY CNOR? Will it hinder my opportunities if I don't have scrub exp?

Thanks, Hope to see some Responses from you all... :yeah:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

I've only worked in one hospital, and when we had travelers, they went where they were needed, regardless of the specialty (except OHS- they found their own travelers). As for staying where you are vs going to a larger hospital, the larger hospital will probably have more opportunities for you to learn- to travel these days it seems you need to be proficient in all specialties. Not sure how it is elsewhere, but our traveling nurses only circulated and weren't allowed to take care of trauma patients.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OR, ER, Med-Surg, ICU, CCU, Home Health.

It is always good to get a national certification. AORN requires 2 years of OR experience before you can sit for the exam. So continue to get your experience and after your 2 years is up, sit for the exam. Best of luck and welcome to the world of the OR nurse. :loveya:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OR, ER, Med-Surg, ICU, CCU, Home Health.

It is always good to get a national certification. AORN requires 2 years of OR experience before you can sit for the exam. So continue to get your experience and after your 2 years is up, sit for the exam.

If you feel comfortable in your skills, you could try a bigger hospital. I think you should probably stay where you are for a while to get more basic experience.

Best of luck and welcome to the world of the OR nurse. :loveya:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks Beth... I think your Right...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg;Rehab;Gerontology; Now OR.

I am a former travelling RN. My advice: finish at least a year in your current OR then if you have an opportunity to get hired in a bigger, teaching or trauma type hospital then go for it. The bigger the OR, the more you get exposed to all kinds of surgeries, the more marketable you are if you can do a lot of cases. I only circulated when I travelled but if you ever get a chance and the hospital who is hiring you is willing to teach you to scrub, grab the opportunity.

You will gain more knowledge towards your certification by being in a bigger hospital. Also, being competent in all kinds of general, Urology, GYN, Ortho, Neuro, ENT cases will be a big plus if you want to travel someday.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Would anyone comment on the best specialties to be proficient in? I am able to scrub and circulate and soon I am going to have to choose a specialty. My hospital moves everyone through every specialty and you're required to be able to step into any room, but you are channeled to a group and within that group is three specialties that you become really good at.

Any suggestions? I really like where I work but I want to prepare for the future as well and I would like to do some per diem work when I reach a level of proficiency that I am comfortable with.

Thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

FlyOR,

In my mindset... If I was to Pick three... I would pick My favs... Even thou Ppl may suggest other wise... Because you got to do that you should like it then... RIGHT??

For me.. .Prolly be General... then Plastics, then Neuro...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion