Trying to change my specialty...need help

[JJ#1Fan]

Hello from Texas! I am a RN, BSN with 16.5 years of experience. All but my first 18 months out of school has been in ER. I started out on Med/Surg/Neuro for the general experience. Now granted, much of the ER time has been part time/PRN due to raising children, but still, experience. I am getting burned out on ER. For several years now I have been wanting to cross train into PACU or OR or even Pre-Op, but NO ONE will even accept an application or offer me an interview (if they do accept an application) because I do not have 2 years of experience in a perioperative setting. What is the secret? Given the shortage of nurses nationwide, I would think they would jump on the chance of bringing on an experienced RN. Yes, I would need some orientation time, but with 15 years of ER experience I am fairly certain I would not require a whole heck of a lot of time. It seems nursing has changed since I began my career. Older nurses have had the experience of working everywhere from ER to ICU, to Peds to Flight Nursing but now I feel like I am completely STUCK in ER until I retire. I can't even find a residency program here in Houston for experienced nurses...only new grads. Any suggestions are welcome.

[thecrossfitrn, BSN, RN]

Yeah, the nursing shortage right now means nurses might be needed, but facilities are not filling those positions to meet the need. It's really unfortunate. I can understand why PACU and OR aren't batting an eye at you, though I don't agree why they do it. Most places won't even consider nurses for PACU unless they have had ICU/CCU experience.

Have you considered becoming a float nurse in order to get cross training experience and get your face out there with other units? I had a nursing friend take a float position just to get face time with the powers that be in the department she really wanted, and she ended up getting hired in her wanted position because she made herself known.

Have you also tried to apply to smaller outside surgical facilities as a stepping stone instead of a hospital? Often times they are willing to train if you have a lot of transferable experience. That may be an option to if you're tired of the ER, but don't really want bedside nursing.

Good luck! I hope something opens up for you!