Typical Orientation for PRN OR positions???

[DinoJack]

Hello OR nurses!

I was wondering, how long is the typical orientation for OR nurses who get hired on PRN?

I am thinking about applying for a PRN position but I am nervous if I will be able to handle the job with my minimal training. I have been unemployed for two years due to having babies and a deployed spouse. I have been volunteering at a free clinic to maintain my skills during my unemployment....no OR work, just clinic work. Prior to my unemployment, I was a perioperative nurse for 3 years in an outpatient surgery center. I worked in preop/PACU for 2 years and one day an OR nurse never showed up for her shift so I was pulled to the OR and had a few minimal orientation (about 2 weeks). I ended up working in the OR with ortho cases for about a year.

Anyways, in a nut shell, I have 1 year OR expirience with a lousy orientation and I have not worked in an OR for two years. In your unit, would your manager ever consider hiring a person like this for PRN and train them? I have been waiting for a full time slot to open up and nothing - just PRN. I think PRN may get my foot in the door for full time later on.

I have tried to switch nursing specialties but it is hard because I lack experience in everything except perioperative nursing and clinic work.

[favoritemumsy]

I was hired PRN in OR after being away from nursing for 10 years. Prior to that I had 14 years OR experience. My orientation was about 3 days . Just learning how things were done at this facility and where things are. I wouldn't think you would need much. Once an OR Nurse always an OR nurse.

[FlyOR]

Pick up the newest edition of Periop standards and read it cover to cover, almost everything about being an OR nurse is in there, and it will give you the knowledge as a base while you pick up the rest. With already having training in how to move/ handle a sterile field, you do have experience. A lot of being an OR nurse is hearing and seeing; hearing what the scrub/ surgeon need and seeing every single thing that is happening to the patient. I think that if you show them that you're willing to learn, willing to help and can take criticism you'll do fine, but you really need the basic knowledge behind what we do, so that you can ask good questions and think critically about every patient.

Examples:

Positioning

Anesthesia meds and allergies

Diabetics and their needs in the OR

Obese patients and normothermia ETC.

Good luck!