Thinking Of Leaving the ICU for the Operating Room

[1stGenRN_]

Hello, I guess I am just looking for some general advice. I have been working as a nurse for a little over a year now. I started in the ICU as a new grad after working their as a tech for couple of years. I have to say that I never really set out to become an ICU nurse, my dream was to work in labor and delivery but after doing a 6 week preceptorship in that unit I quickly decided that it wasn't for me. However I always had a interest in working in the Operating Room since nursing school, I was able to shadow a nurse for 4 days and I loved it. I guess I was just amazed by the various types of surgeries, the blood and guts and all. But to get back to my topic, I am starting to get tired of working in the ICU. I starting to feel a little burned out, I'm dreading going to work, and really getting tired of seeing the same ole population of patients. Don't get me wrong I am very grateful for my job as I feel like it was literally handed to me. I just feel like I need something different. I don't want to Regret leaving the ICU but I just not happy. Mainly because its a night shift job and I feel like I'm slowly deteriorating from this shift. Even if I was offered a day shift position I still can't see myself doing it for the rest of my life.

I guess my question is, Has there been anyone who has left the ICU for something else and started to regret their decision?

For My OR nurses, Do you regret leaving floor nursing? Do You feel like you've lost valuable nursing skills?

What is OR nursing Like? Should I take the Leap of Faith, that is if I even get a job offer.

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

Come on over to the OR forum and check us out! There's a number of threads that will help you understand what OR nursing is like, including:

https://allnurses.com/operating-room-nursing/what-do-operating-426443.html

https://allnurses.com/operating-room-nursing/what-do-you-345583.html

https://allnurses.com/operating-room-nursing/why-did-you-600311.html

https://allnurses.com/operating-room-nursing/or-pet-peeves-320930.html

https://allnurses.com/operating-room-nursing/what-do-you-783501.html

https://allnurses.com/operating-room-nursing/nurse-pros-cons-799682.html

https://allnurses.com/operating-room-nursing/to-not-nurse-700092.html (this one also has more links to other threads)

[lidleanjel]

I did not mind the or besides I hated being a secretary, gopher, and yelled at. I like the fast pace and acuity and the never know what to expect but for me the or got old. I missed actually talking to people and interacting with the patient on more personal levels. I started nursing in the or and still work prn but I love the icu which is where I am full time now. You can tell where my roots started though because I am usually the one at bedside to take over sterile procedures but my coworkers love it because they do not feel comfortable in that area. I learned a lot from the or, but for me it wasn't the right fit.