RN thinking of transferring from the floor! Advice please!!!

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I need advice...I'm in a dilemma at the moment where I might have the opportunity to leave floor nursing forever and work in the OR! I am struggling with this decision because I feel like the OR is very "unknown" to me. Like some foreign country that I've only read about and really don't know a damn thing about! Having spent mayyyybe 16 hours in an OR through nursing school, I feel like I am taking a huge leap of faith leaving my comfort of the floor and doing something different. Pursuing this route wouldn't be so intimidating if I felt very passionate towards this specialty but it's kind of hard to feel passion when you have limited exposure! I do know the idea of having 1 patient really appeals to me, as does the technology, the instant gratification of "fixing" a problem, the critical thinking, and the interaction with the surgical team. What others aspects of the OR should I consider when seeing if I'm cut out for it? I was hoping some ex-floor nurses who made the transition to the OR could give me some insight. What helped make your decision? Are you happier now? I just feel unfulfilled right now on the floor and for awhile have even considered leaving nursing altogether. I keep thinkig maybe I'm one of those rare breeds of nurses that just doesn't like typical nursing and I belong somewhere else. Should I just go for it? I am so conflicted!!!

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Speak with some current OR nurses, and find out how they feel about their jobs.

P.S. Why do you feel like if you take this OR job you will "leave floor nursing forever"? Forever is a mighty long time...

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Specializes in med-surg, OR.

It's a huge transition. You will feel like a new grad all over again, and it takes years to feel comfortable especially if you scrub/circulate and rotate through all the specialties often (like I do.) It can take a long time to learn your surgeon/anesthesia/coworker's idiosyncrasies. If you enjoy one on one conversation with patients, you may miss this, as there is not much time to get to know your patients in the OR. We rarely get thank you cards, from patients or families, like you would on the floor. Sometimes the lack of autonomy in the OR is frustrating, but then again, working with a great team makes for a nice day. I enjoy my job for the most part, and I rarely take my work home with me. I say give it a try, before you decide to leave nursing.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

We've had some OR nurses that didn't like it, mostly due to the demands of being on call excessively and expected to be available for several hospitals in the system. So find out what the call expectations are before you switch jobs. They may not be happy with floor nursing either, but we aren't on call, although we can be mandated up to 16 hours so it's not perfect. One RN was being recruited for OR because she had experience, but it was specifically for a "difficult" Dr who yelled etc and had burned thru the OR staff and they quit over having to deal with him. These are things to think about, plus standing still in one position for long hours, being all gowned up, will it be hot or cold in the ER. I wouldn't want to stand like that for long hours, just standing some people get lower back pain or varicose veins.

I would suggest you shadow a nurse in the OR first and get a feel if you would like it or not. It is common practice where I live to have nurses shadow before hiring to decrease turnover. A chance for you to see if you would like it and also a chance for fellow staff to vote on whether they would want you. I've heard that hiring decisions are being shared with regular staff as well as management in some places. If you did take this position, try to leave on good terms so you could go back if OR wasn't what you thought. Maybe you could stay on as pool staff.

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I would suggest you shadow a nurse in the OR first and get a feel if you would like it or not. It is common practice where I live to have nurses shadow before hiring to decrease turnover. A chance for you to see if you would like it and also a chance for fellow staff to vote on whether they would want you. I've heard that hiring decisions are being shared with regular staff as well as management in some places. If you did take this position try to leave on good terms so you could go back if OR wasn't what you thought. Maybe you could stay on as pool staff.[/quote']

We do group interviews. If our boss is interested in you, then you would meet with a group of nurses/scrub techs and they will as you all sorts of questions. That is also your opportunity to ask questions of them about hours, work environment, etc.

I would also recommend shadowing... And for more than just a few hours. Come back on another day so you an see different types of procedures. And I know that surgery can be fascinating, but you would be there to observe with the nurse. Pay attention to what they're doing and ask questions. Don't get so caught up in the actually surgery that you miss what the nursing responsibilities are.

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Specializes in Surgery.

It is a totally different arena of nursing. In my 20+ years in the OR, the biggest surprise that new OR nurses from the floor experienced is "Wow, Dr. xxx isn't mean. " Many floor nurses don't get the surgical experience that would really tie in the care that is needed to heal a body. If you like complicated tasks, can handle pressure and are results oriented, I say go for it but don't expect to be happy immediately. The OR is intimidating and filled with very strong personalities. You will cry, but NEVER cry in front of the person that made you cry, it is like blood in the water and the sharks will come from all sides. Find someone that you feel you can trust in the OR and seek guidance and advice and you will do well. Good luck.

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It is a totally different arena of nursing. In my 20+ years in the OR the biggest surprise that new OR nurses from the floor experienced is "Wow, Dr. xxx isn't mean. " Many floor nurses don't get the surgical experience that would really tie in the care that is needed to heal a body. If you like complicated tasks, can handle pressure and are results oriented, I say go for it but don't expect to be happy immediately. The OR is intimidating and filled with very strong personalities. You will cry, but NEVER cry in front of the person that made you cry, it is like blood in the water and the sharks will come from all sides. Find someone that you feel you can trust in the OR and seek guidance and advice and you will do well. Good luck.[/quote']

This was excellent advice. I one day hope to work in the OR. Thanks for sharing your insight.

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