Recommend OR Nursing?

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Specializes in Emergency.

Would you recommend OR nursing? How's the future outlook? Do scrub and circulating RNs get paid differently?

The reason I'm asking is because I'm considering a switch (I'm a rather new nurse who may have an opportunity to become a circulating RN).

Thanks

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I love OR Nursing. It's very different from other floors specialties though so if you haven't you should do a shadow day or two to make sure you know what you are getting in to. The future looks good, I think. And once you get experience you are golden! It takes so long to train new OR staff that an experienced OR RN has endless opportunities, at least where I live.

I've never heard of a difference in pay depending on if you scrub or circulate but I don't know everyone's pay either. It's something you should ask HR.

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

Many places do not differentiate between an RN who scrubs and an RN who circulates- both are RNs and will be paid as such. However, many hospitals utilize surgical technologists in the scrub role and reserve RNs for the circulating role.

As for whether I'd recommend the OR, absolutely! I truly found my nursing "home" in the OR. However, if you have not had any exposure to the world of the OR, you need to set up a few days to shadow before you get yourself in over your head.

Tips for shadowing:

1. Eat a good breakfast. No one wants you to pass out.

2. Pay attention to what the RN is doing. Yes, watching the surgery itself is fascinating; however, you need to focus on the role of the RN to get an accurate picture. This is one of my pet peeves. Some people have a romanticized idea of OR nursing, shadow for a day but focus on the surgery, and then get a serious reality check when they begin working in the OR.

3. Ask questions, even if you think they're dumb questions.

3a. However, be sure to ask questions at appropriate times. Interrupting/distracting from patient care at critical times is not a good idea.

4. Be assertive. If the person you're shadowing doesn't introduce you to the other team members, introduce yourself. People like to know who's in the room and why they're there. Many of the surgeons I work with will enter teaching mode if a student/visitor is in the room that day- they just have to know who that person is and why they're there.

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Specializes in Emergency.

thanks - good suggestions!

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I would definitely recommend shadowing a circulator. It gives you a better idea of what really goes on. I think it is a good idea to think of things (make a list) of some of the questions you have. Because when you get there it will be busy and you may feel overwhelmed by all of the activity. I love the OR:) and if we put you over in the corner for a few minutes....hold on we will come back and get to you shortly:yes:

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