Transitioning from the ICU to the OR

[Nurse#9]

I've been an ICU nurse for a little over 5 years. Since nursing school, I've always been attracted to work in the OR. I find the surgeries and the setting to be very interesting. I am hoping to transition to the OR from the ICU. Currently, the hospital I'm working in does not provide cross training. My plan is to work in an outpatient surgical setting part time to get experience and then apply at my current hospital as an OR nurse. Any tips that will help with the transition? Thank you.

[Amistad, RN]

Does your hospital not support an internal transfer to a different position/specialty area? I feel that if you've performed well for 5 years at your current position your hospital would be more likely to hire you than an external candidate.

I hope everything works out for you!

[Argo]

Most hospitals do not have training programs. Training of OR nurses is expensive as it takes a solid 12 months for them to function independent of an experienced nurse. Typically 6 months double staffed with the trainee.

Do not expect it to be easy to get a job with only ambulatory surgery experience. Different animal typically and a lot of hospitals don't accept it as experience. Really depends on the surgery center you're working at but most don't do "real" surgeries.