To become an OR Nurse...

Specialties Operating Room

Published

In order to become an OR nurse do I need a bsn or is an adn ok? I am barely in my 3rd semester of pre reqs at a cc and would like to know which way to go. I was thinking of doing the surgical tech program and working in that field for a couple of years before going for my associates. What do you guys recommend? I have a special 13 year old (emotional health problems), a six year old, and plan on having my third an last child next year. I want to take the right path and not run around in to many circles because I have my kids to be there for. I am 32 years old and after being a certified photographer and doing the whole M.A.A course I finally realized I want to be a nurse, I want to help people, and I love all the bloody stuff!

Specializes in Operating Room.
Depends on the facility. My facility does not require a BSN, and the vast majority of our OR nurses are ADNs who graduated from the school affiliated with the health system.

Nor does the facility where I had my first OR job. Many nurses with an ADN.

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Specializes in Operating Room.
Here we go....Throughout the history of perioperative nursing, we have obtain our license to practice in the OR through dipolma (hospital), associates and undergraduate programs. Yes, I get it.....you don't have to obtain a BSN to practice in the OR "right now." However, did you notice that Magnet hospitals are hiring BSN nurses and requiring current employees to get their degree within 10 years? Many organizations, such as the AACN and ANA, endorses the intitative of making BSN the minimial preparation for professional practice. In the meantime, while you are being grandfathered, do you want to resist or adapt to change? Whether you're offended by my statement or not, I am speaking for those that are planning on becoming OR nurses.

While time allows, yes get yor ADN and then transition to BSN route. Make BSN your academic goal for job security and marketability. My statement of needing your BSN to work in the OR will happen.

I was so not offended by your statement. The girl wanted to know if a BSN was required to work in an operating room. Although I have since advanced in my professional careers and goals, I went straight into the operating room with an ADN. Fortunately, your above-mentioned initiatives are taking place. Unfortunately, when hospitals are short-staffed, they'll take what they can get.

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Specializes in Perioperative; Cardiovascular.

My advice is to give her the realities of what is best for her to become a perioperative nurse. To suggest that getting an ADN is 'good enough' is injustice. Apparently, it wasn't good enough for you! I refuse to give minimal advice to those that ask. It's important to give the educational and political aspect of what is going on in nursing and how to advance yourself for future changes that will occur.

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Well thank u for all your honesty. I will work on my pre reqs for a bsn and do my adn first. Really I wanted to know if doing the surgical tech would at least get me in and maybe help with that whole networking thing. The nurses I know are primarily lvn's or work with psych patients.

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Specializes in PCCN.

Don't forget you might have to be on call, and that doesnt always work with having kids, unless you have some really good resources.

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Specializes in Operating Room.
My advice is to give her the realities of what is best for her to become a perioperative nurse. To suggest that getting an ADN is 'good enough' is injustice. Apparently, it wasn't good enough for you! I refuse to give minimal advice to those that ask. It's important to give the educational and political aspect of what is going on in nursing and how to advance yourself for future changes that will occur.

My advice was exactly what she wanted to know and no more. To quote the person asking the question, "Really I wanted to know if doing the surgical tech would at least get me in ..." Spending two years obtaining an ADN would, in my opinion, be more advantageous than spending two years in surg tech school. Forums are a place to exchange ideas and opinions, not to get chastised, so enough said.

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There is no such thing as an "RN degree."

How many times does this have to be clarified?

You earn an Associate Degree in Nursing, generally takes 2 years;

Or you earn a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing, generally takes 4 years.

Both degrees qualify you to sit for NCLEX. If you pass you are granted the REGISTERED NURSE (RN) LICENSE. "RN" is a LICENSE, not a degree.

And yes, everyone should just stop mucking around with the ADN and get their BSN as soon as possible.

So sorry I mis-typed while trying to help someone after my long shift. I bet every time someone uses the wrong word it means they are an idiot.

Chill a little bit.

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This was a bit much. I mucked around and got an ADN and got a job in ICU right out of school. Some people mucked around with a BSN and still jobless.

There is no such thing as an "RN degree."

How many times does this have to be clarified?

You earn an Associate Degree in Nursing, generally takes 2 years;

Or you earn a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing, generally takes 4 years.

Both degrees qualify you to sit for NCLEX. If you pass you are granted the REGISTERED NURSE (RN) LICENSE. "RN" is a LICENSE, not a degree.

And yes, everyone should just stop mucking around with the ADN and get their BSN as soon as possible.

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Specializes in CCM, PHN.

You mucked around with getting an ADN & a job in ICU right after school WHEN? What year? Recently? During this recession?

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

There are several other threads debating ADN vs BSN and the job market. Please don't turn this into another one.

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I am a new grad with a BSN and landed my first job in the OR. My advice is this...consider the very real possibility of NOT into a BSN program right away. They are VERY competitive. Have a back-up plan. Apply to all the BSN, ADN and surgical tech programs available in your area within a reasonable distance. Your career path might be dictated by default. If you really want the OR I would accept whichever program you get into and can work your life around. Many BSN programs force students take the same schedule of classes and will not let you go part-time, which might not work for your situation. ADN or surgical tech programs might be more flexible. This will add time to your path, but if working in the OR as a nurse is really what you want, you need to be flexible. Many of the nurses in the OR in my hospital started as techs...some have their ADNs, some have their BSNs. Working in the OR is very rewarding, as a scrub or a circulator. Good luck with whichever path you take.

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I went to surg tech school first. Never got a job doing it because they wanted someone with experience. Two years later I decided to go to nursing school for my bsn. I got hired in the or as a new grad. Partly because I went to tech school but never used my skills. But they also hire new grads with no experience so they can mold you. I work with a mix of nurses. Not all have bsn. Some diploma. Some associates. I have 2 kids and I am a single mom. If you are going to go for it...go for the bsn and get it done and then apply to or's and surgicenters etx. Always make sure you follow up with a phone call to the nurse recruiter a week after you apply online and express your interest or else they will never contact you for a interview. Good luck.

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