RN looking to do OR nursing

[Grande_latte04]

I've had a cool career so far. I started in long term care (which I loved) but military had me move. I moved to a big city and did urgent care. Also loved it. But then pregnancy 1 and covid had me out of work. I went back to work in acute care peds and loved that. But then pregnancy 2 made nights so hard. I struggled through nights for years before I called it quits and went to an LTAC. I loved the LTAC but got let go due to closing of the facility. Im now in an awesome hospital- magnet hospital, great hours, great benefits... management 4/10. Not crazy about them butttt the awesome thing about my job is that there is a lot of mobility. I have been at my current spot- Neuro ICU step down for almost a year. I see there's a positions open at our hospital for OR positions. There's a transition program that is 8 weeks. I have the opportunity to shadow- which is amazing and so cool of my company. But... I want to hear about other people's experiences in the OR. 

1) what do you like about it? 

2_ what do you hate about it?

3) why was it a good fit for you?

 

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

8 week transition? That is nowhere near enough orientation time to be safe in the OR! Unless that's a classroom session before a longer clinical orientation? 8 weeks is barely enough for an experienced OR nurse. Are you sure the position is for someone without OR experience?

[RickyRescueRN, BSN, RN]

I agree with Rose_queen. There is no way a RN without any OR /surgical nursing background can survive and be safe after an 8 week training period. Most training programs are 6months to a year for nurses new to the specialty. I urge you to get more details to ensure you are getting the training that both you and your future patients expect from an OR RN.