OR Nurse to FNP?

Nursing Students NP Students

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has anyone done this? What is the transition like...beings that OR nurses dont typically have to do a lot of bedside care compared to a floor nurse.

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Hi there,

I did this. There definitely isn't a lot of bedside as an OR nurse, you're right. However, I don't think it inhibited me a lot in school. I did FNP also and really I feel FNP is so much different than many RN positions because most FNP positions are geared toward outpatient and primary care. I wouldn't let it deter you from moving forward in your career. Just try to take advantage of your clinical sites to learn as much as you can.

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So glad to read this. I'm about to embark on this adventure. I've been in the OR for 11 years and only have med-surg experience as an LPN. Any recommendations on what to start reviewing! Slated to start Summer 2019

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Specializes in Psychiatry.

I've been an OR nurse for 15 years and am halfway through a PMHNP program. Don't feel discouraged from making the change. If you want to succeed bad enough, you will. Good luck!

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@JackChase1212 That is awesome ! ? did your program ask you to atleast work part time or per diem to gain psych exp before acceptance? Or they were able to accept the OR experience? Kudos to you being almost done.

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Just got my acceptance notice for the FNP program I applied. Now I need to NOT psych myself out.

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Specializes in Psychiatry.
On 1/31/2019 at 8:19 PM, thenurseguy88 said:

@JackChase1212 That is awesome ! ? did your program ask you to atleast work part time or per diem to gain psych exp before acceptance? Or they were able to accept the OR experience? Kudos to you being almost done.

The program accepted my experience and I am doing well. I’ve held a consistent 4.0, however I do feel at a significant disadvantage due to my are of experience, particularly in pharmacology. The exposure to meds in surgery is very different than ICU, and I have gaps in knowledge that I am trying hard to overcome.

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So glad I found this thread! I am a circulator and have been for almost 3.5 years. I did Med/Surg for 14 months before that. I love the OR but am bored. I feel like I am always searching for opportunities to get more skills and hands on opportunities because I really want more autonomy and involvement with patient care. I am currently waiting for acceptance into FNP but feel at a disadvantage and have been looking for PRN work in primary care. Funny enough I have landed a PRN in an inpatient Psych facility and so excited to learn. I loved Psych in my nursing school clinical but the opportunity to work in the specialty had not presented itself until now. I am also fortunate to be in the running for a full time RN position at an outpatient psych clinic. If I get the full time job I’d leave my circulator job. What do you guys think? Is an inpatient or outpatient psych job better? Both deal with all ages, all mental health conditions and comorbidities. The inpatient has Psychiatrists, counselors. The outpatient has Psychiatrists, counselors, LCSW and PMHNPs. My brain is reeling now because I feel like I may need to consider doing PMHNP. Any advice on these issues? Thanks

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Specializes in OR.

I’m a career OR nurse and am quite happy. I am considering grad school. My choices are pretty much online educators programs which should be fine as I do enjoy teaching or the state university in my town. Said state university would be way more convenient but the only program they have is an FNP. My question is what can I do with an FNP and still stay in touch with the OR. We are a trauma center so an acute care concentration would be better but they don’t have such a thing. I’m sort of at a crossroads here. Advice?

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