Route to the OR

[MichiganChris]

Hello All,

I am in process of making a career change from real estate into health care. I am planing on starting school this fall, but have a couple questions before doing so. I definetly want to work in the OR, most likely as a scrub nurse and/or circular nurse. But I also have interest in becoming a first assistant.

I'm curious what everybody thinks is the best route to get there (keeping in mind I'm 35 years old). Would there be a significant advantage to getting my BSN as opposed to going the community college route? I have a community college that is within 5 miles of my house and has VERY cheap tuition (about 25% of the university I would go to for a BSN), but at the same time I don't want to spend 2 years in school, if it will still be a struggle to get a job.

So, my question is, if I want to scrub and later get my rnfa is it worth the extra time and money to go for my BSN? Will I be any better off in terms of job opportunities and pay having a BSN vs an associates (keeping in mind, I plan to go for my rnfa)? Also, would you consider going the surgical tech to surgical assitant route?

I'm sorry for sooo many questions, but I have been holding on to a real estate career in a tough ecomony, and I just want to make sure I'm making the right decision, because I don't want to end up in this spot again.

Thanks for your help!

Chris

[linda2097]

1. Surgical tech training can take a couple years, so you might as well get your RN.

2. RN schools are very competitive now that so many people need jobs and nursing is an oasis in this economy. You need good grades to get in.

3. You are required to have 2 years of O.R. nursing experience before you can go to to an RNFA course, so plan on becoming an RNFA no earlier than year 2014.

4. Associate degree in nursing takes about 3 years because of all the pre-requisites, so you might as well get your bachelor of nursing. It's not required to become an RNFA however.

5. Do you have a college degree already? Some nursing schools have a one-year course in which people who any type of bachelors degree can get a nursing degree in just one year.

6. If you get rejected from nursing school, you might want to become a surgical tech. It's usually a fun job and pays decent, and the job security is excellent. It's one of the best-kept secrets in the career world.

7. If you do graduate nursing school, it can be difficult to get an O.R. position. So, if you get accepted into nursing school, I would get a part time job in the operating room doing anything, so as housekeeper, nursing assistant, secretary, etc. If your boss likes you, you are almost guaranteed an O.R. nursing job when you graduate.

[OrthoBoi]

well explained by Ms. Linda2097, all her info are correct & valid. Knowing the options she said, it is up to you to decide the best alternative on a career path. From your background I suggest doing a circulating job in the OR, from your experience in real estate it gives me the impression that you have good social skills, good in organizing & prioritization. Very important in an OR nurse. On the other hand however, if you are good in mechanical stuff, like in real estate you know how to do ~ home improvement & do it yourself projects, you might be a good scrub tech. You have a lot of avenues, it all depends on what you see yourself doing in the future. Whatever you decide, good luck!

[tclema]

I fully agree. We usually only hire with a minium of 1 year OR experience into the OR, but if you have experience as a Scrub Tech you will be considered as well. The same if you have worked in the OR as a Nurse Tech or Secretary or similar and they know you while you are going to RN school. At my hospital we don't differentiate between an Associates and your BSN.