Starting off the floor in the OR

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I have been wondering what I will do once I am out of nursing school. Right now, I'm a tech on an ortho/ oncology unit and I don't like the atmosphere on the floor. All nurses basically tell me to get a "good base" going on the floor, however I don't like to dread work and that's probably what I'd end up doing.

Would I be prepared for any other areas of nursing working in the OR? Why should I have to hate my work life for a couple of years out of school? My mom works as an RN in the OR and I've shadowed her and its so much more amazing and calm. What do you guys think as OR nurses about starting in the OR and what it might limit my career to?

(if i don't enjoy acute care why would I want to prepare for a career in it?)

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I think that you are the best judge of character on where you will be happy. Just check the hospital where you want to work. It used to be that you could enter some areas straight from nursing school, i.e. ER, ICU, OR, etc., but now they have instituted that you needed at least a year of med/surg (floor nursing) where I work.

Good luck!

Kris

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I have been wondering what I will do once I am out of nursing school. Right now, I'm a tech on an ortho/ oncology unit and I don't like the atmosphere on the floor. All nurses basically tell me to get a "good base" going on the floor, however I don't like to dread work and that's probably what I'd end up doing.

Would I be prepared for any other areas of nursing working in the OR? Why should I have to hate my work life for a couple of years out of school? My mom works as an RN in the OR and I've shadowed her and its so much more amazing and calm. What do you guys think as OR nurses about starting in the OR and what it might limit my career to?

(if i don't enjoy acute care why would I want to prepare for a career in it?)

As a non-nurse who has been working with nurses for a long time I would generally recommend every nurse do 1-2 years of med surg before specializing (for some reason I get asked this question a lot). The thing that floor nursing teaches you in my opinion is time management. There are a few places where that really isn't helpful. NICU, L&D and OR. These are really different places and the skills that your learn on the floor don't translate as well. Also if you want to do peds you might as well start off doing weight based meds.

Given the shortage of OR nurses many hospitals have very good transition programs especially for new grads. On the other hand if you are looking for a calm environment, I am not sure that realistically describes the OR (at least not where I work).

David Carpenter, PA-C

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
As a non-nurse who has been working with nurses for a long time I would generally recommend every nurse do 1-2 years of med surg before specializing (for some reason I get asked this question a lot). The thing that floor nursing teaches you in my opinion is time management. There are a few places where that really isn't helpful. NICU, L&D and OR. These are really different places and the skills that your learn on the floor don't translate as well. Also if you want to do peds you might as well start off doing weight based meds.

Given the shortage of OR nurses many hospitals have very good transition programs especially for new grads. On the other hand if you are looking for a calm environment, I am not sure that realistically describes the OR (at least not where I work).

David Carpenter, PA-C

Work where you want to work... dont listen to someone who doesnt work in nursing try to tell you where to get a job at....

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Specializes in Med-Surg/Peds/O.R./Legal/cardiology.

Calm...????

I don't think I've ever had the honor of working there...

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

mom works as an RN in the OR and I've shadowed her and its so much more amazing and calm.

Calm????? I wanna go there!!!!!

Nah, not really, i thrive on the fast pace.

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