The best way to go about becoming a surgical nurse

just_cause, BSN, RN · Feb 10, 2009

I would do the RN route through an ADN program at a CC... then upon graduation either move to a hospital that offers a perioperative surgical residency or work at a hospital with hopes to transferring to OR after gaining exp.

I would avoid doing the LPN then RN route..unless you need to do it for financial reasons.

v/r

Fiona59 · Feb 10, 2009

When you say "surgical nurse" do you mean a nurse who works on a surgical unit with post operative patients or an OR Nurse who scurbs/circulates? Big difference.

If you enjoy people contact and handle the workload you want to be a surgical floor nurse. If you want to have minimal patient contact and one patient at a time and enjoy participating in surgeries you want to be an OR nurse.

From what I've seen around my hospital, it's usually better to have the floor experience before transitioning into an OR position. Experience and a very thick skin are good basic building blocks for an OR spot.

nursemon · Feb 10, 2009

I would recommend you do the RN program. I am an LPN that is trying to get into an RN bridge program and it's very frustrating! I wished I would have done the RN thing. After school I would get some experience on the floor or just go straight to the OR, depending on the amount of patient contact you want.

eriksoln, BSN, RN · Feb 10, 2009

I never recommend LPN, ever.

LPNs dont work in the OR, which is the place I think you are talking about when you say "surgical nurse". Some hospitals even want BSN for the OR (most dont say you have to, but prefer it).

Only way I see it working out for you going LPN first, if for some reason that is the route you pick, is to be an LPN on a medical/surgical floor until you get the RN then go for OR.

Vannie815 · Feb 10, 2009

thank you so much Fiona59 from what it seems most would consider going straight for RN ..which was what i was thinking just wasnt to sure. And as for your question i'm thinking of going more for Perioperative Nursing... If you have anymore feedback i'd love to hear it and once again thanks.

OregonGal · Feb 11, 2009

Ditto...go for RN :)

Fiona59 · Feb 11, 2009

I never recommend LPN, ever.
LPNs dont work in the OR, which is the place I think you are talking about when you say "surgical nurse". Some hospitals even want BSN for the OR (most dont say you have to, but prefer it).
Only way I see it working out for you going LPN first, if for some reason that is the route you pick, is to be an LPN on a medical/surgical floor until you get the RN then go for OR.

Actually, LPNs do work in the OR. I guess it depends on where you are. Up here, the designation is LPN/ORT. It's a post grad specialty with exactly the same course work (minus a supervisory skills course) that the RNs take. The same amount of preceptored time as well.

The BScN is the only way to achieve the RN designation here. So, I think it says a lot about the quality of PN education here that we can attend the same class for the designation. Supervisory skills in the OR? I mean that basically is the circulators job and the PN/ORT can circulate.