Job offers in Radiology and OR...HELP!

Nursing Students ADN/BSN

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Hi everyone how are you? I have been working in medsurg for a few years and have recently been offered positions as a radiology nurse at a medical group (not hospital) and in the OR at a level 1 trauma hospital. Both are about the same pay and the radiology job is extremely fast paced for outpatient practice. I am not too good with stress and the people who interviewed me for the OR position said it will be 10x worse in the OR than in medsurg, along with surgeons who are in terrible moods. Both jobs are 5x a week as opposed to what I'm used to now with 3x a week.

Any pros/cons to each one? Appreciate any help/feedback!

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Welcome!

Which job has more call time and what radiology procedures do they do?

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Here are my thoughts.

The trauma position in the OR would be more stressful with life or death situations and a lot of call....even on holidays. A crisis around every corner. A radiology position, unless they are doing angioplasty's, might be busy with some call....but most procedures will be routine and scheduled with most if not all holidays off....and will soon become very routine and repetitious.

Remember that most offices will be scheduled 8 hours (with some long days) with OT past 40 hours. Be sure there is call pay for both and OT if over 40 hours.

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The OR has more call time and for traumas you have to be there within 15 mins. The radiology unit is for MRI/CT procedures which requires me to take an IV cert. class and ALS/PALS as the OR only requires BLS. The base pay is the same for both jobs but the evening diff is about 7k more for the OR and only about 1k for Radiology. I just accepted both offers over the phone just so I would not lose them...ahhhhh what to do! I like routine but it seems as though OR nurses stay within the profession for many many years. Also the OR job has precepting for about a year where as radiology is 2 months.

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Thank you for the welcome btw!!

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anyone! thanks!

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

Have you had the opportunity to shadow for a day in both positions? With specialized fields where an applicant hasn't had experience, I strongly recommend a shadow day. It can give you some insight into the type of work, coworker relationships and morale, and many other little points that can help you make this decision.

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I really wish I COULD shadow, but that was not offered. I am leaning towards the radiology position as it will be less "stressful" than the other options. I have a lot of things going on in my life and I believe to come home with peace of mind it is ok to sacrifice 9k a year (OR).

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

The call time will in the OR be brutal!!! TRUST ME! I vote the radiology position. ACLS isn't hard and PALS...slow fast absent. Give them fluid. O2, and keep them warm.

YOU will end up with OT at radiology as well....you'll make it up trust me.

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That made me feel really good! Thanks a lot! For radiology it is outpatient with no holidays or sundays

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I am taking my IV certification course this sunday as well although I am proficient with IV insertion and maintaince

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Specializes in CRNA, Finally retired.

Outpatient radiology? I'd be running to get that job. If you not the kind of person who thrives on stress and the OR is in a high acuity setting, this is a no brainer! Enjoy your new position and congratulations.

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