Though this is what I wanted, not so sure now...

[StudentKari12]

I am looking for a little insight or advice from anyone who wishes to provide it.

For about a year now I have been working towards getting an interview in the operating room as an employed student nurse, to later work there after graduation.

As it turns out, there may not be an in-house training program for this upcoming year as there has been for quite some time. There are many new graduates and a mix of skill levels, which as I understand needs to be addressed before bringing in some more newbies.

Anyhow, I finally got an interview for the position I had been hoping for. I have taken a perioperative specialty course, written papers in my regular nursing courses (I am a 3rd year BSN student), and talked to as many people as I could with hopes of networking and finally getting that interview.

Obviously I was quite nervous, but I was prepared and dressed professionally. I went in with a smile on my face and I felt confident. I was up against 2 other applicants, and not only am I a year ahead of them but I have much more experience having taken the specialty course.

First of all, I am mildly claustraphobic in small rooms. The interview was in a small, hot room with no windows with three formidable-looking OR nurses sitting infront of me (not smiling, I might add). They began to ask me questions rotating through the panel. From the very beginning, I felt no warmth or encouragement. I understand that it is a professional job interview, but I am also still a student so I guess I expected a bit of support, understanding, or encouragement (I received none). They began to ask me questions, to which I believe I responded as well as I possibly could have. I talked about things I had learned in my perioperative course, BSN program, and experiences. I did so with professionalism and a smile on my face. I honestly felt like the nurses sitting infront of me wanted fail this interview. They were cold, blunt, and what appeared to me to be unfriendly. They started to ask me about my availability, and when I told them that it would have to work around my school schedule, so after my 2 month practicum then around my regular nursing courses, they said this would be a problem. I'm not really sure what gives with the attitude I received, particularly when I was so warm and friendly the entire time. Are they trying to test me? I understand that the OR is a tough environment to work in, but now I'm rethinking the entire thing. Furthermore, I just started my practicum on a medical floor today and I absolutely LOVE it despite initially thinking I would hate it - the people are wonderful, and very supportive of new grads.

So what I'm mostly wondering is... Should I take the job if I get a call back? Will things get better? Or will I continue to have to stare into the face of adversity and be expected to succeed? Will I be supported as a student or be treated as a nuisance?

I'm not really sure who to turn to for unbiased advice, as I know a lot of nurses feel 'certain ways' towards the OR, however this is always something I have taken with a grain of salt.

Honest answers, advice, or input would be greatly appreciated.

And I strongly commend you on being able to deal with those 'colourful' personalities in your line of work

Thanks in advance.

[4_Sq]

Wow, don't let those 3 people step in your way of what you want to do... The OR is not different as far as personalities go.. there is a people mix everywhere you go.

May be you were being "tested" but it sounds kind of "UGLY" to me.. you sound like you've got it together, and I would bet that you will make a success of yourself where ever you work..

The OR is a really great place to work.. take it from one who knows..

And we do have a lot of laughs amongst the "stern" ones...

[SnowStar4]

If offered, I would take it and quit if you decide it is not for you (or use your internal candidate status to transfer to a better fitting department). If it works out great for you. If it doesn't...at least you learned early and earned a little cash.

[canesdukegirl, BSN, RN]

Just to offer a different POV, the nurses that were interviewing you may have had a day from hell. I know that the budget reconciliation from the last fiscal year are due TODAY, and many of the managers in my health care system are burning the candle at both ends to get all of their stuff in a pile and ready to go. They may have seen this interview as a pain in the butt because the have so much to do this week.

This may not be the case at all, but it COULD be. Sounds like you answered all of the questions correctly. My guess is that their attitudes had nothing to do with you in the least.

[StudentKari12]

Thank you all for your encouragement and support, and also for providing some reasons for why my experience went the way that it did.

I have not heard anything back yet, but I have decided to take the job if I get it and see how it goes, don't really have a lot to lose! I've always been intruiged by the OR and would love to be able to support patients through such a stressful time, while working in such a fast-paced and exciting environment. I actually had a minor surgical procedure done yesterday (it's been a busy week!) and realized how much I appreciated the kind nurses that I had at my side T/O, as I felt anxious and very vulnerable - they were great! It reinforced for me why I wanted to work in the OR in the first place, to be able to be that person for someone else.

Anyhow...

Thank you to those who posted and I will let ya know how it goes :)

[TakeTwoAspirin, MSN, RN, APRN]

Always ask to shadow if you're planning on working anywhere. While you are there, talk to anyone and everyone you meet and ask them about the conditions and morale. Invest at least a day there to get a real feel for the place.

[talbottca]

Yes, yes, yes! If there is any way that you can shadow someone, that would be best. I have seen about 5 nurses in the last 5 years who had absolutely NO idea what the OR was like get hired.... and what happened? They all quit! Some of them quit because of personalities and other quit because we hardly have any real time to connect with our patients. However; the core of their reasoning was "I had no idea what it was going to be like. I thought I would love it." Also, since you are still in nursing school see if you can have your senior practicum/clinical rotation be in the operating room. It will give you a much better idea of what its like. I LOVE my job with a passion, but I do have to admit it's not for everyone.

[LuvScrubs2, BSN, RN]

wow I wish you the best of luck.... Im still trying to get into an OR Periop Program...