Uuum ... So now I'm an RN, but how am I going to get in the OR? HELP!!!

[tlj1cookie]

Hello!

I just wanted to post my current dilemma so I can get some feedback from the people who are already where I want to be. Here goes...

I've always been intrigued by what goes on inside the operating room, so a few years ago I applied to some sugical tech & nursing programs. I was accepted to both, but after weighing my options I decided to go to nursing school. I just thought it would give me a better chance of getting an OR job with a BSN as opposed to a CST... and I've heard that the OR can be kind of exclusive, so just incase that didn't work out for me I figured I'd still have the option of going into another area of nursing. Now that school is done, I feel like I have the "new grad curse". I can't get a nursing job to save my life- especially in the OR. I was lucky enough to get an interview for the OR a couple of months ago, and although the nurse manager loved my enthusiasm- she basically laughed in my face (but not in a mean way), because I was in nooo way qualified for the position (HR set me up man! :imbar) The problem seems to be that- a) I didn't have a perioperative rotation in my nursing program, b) I asked for but couldn't get an OR senior preceptorship (I was told that my program didn't have enough pull in the local hospitals), & c) I couldn't work as an aid/tech in the OR during school (did I mention my program was a 3-yr accelerated BSN). So now what? I've done some research... here's what I've come up with:

* I found a perioperative program that I could do- however its expensive (for me w/ this new grad curse), it's kind of far from where I live (not worth relocating for a few weeks of classes), & all of the jobs I see are strictly for EXPERIENCED OR NURSES...

* I found a surgical tech program that is both local & affordable; I've also seen a lot of jobs that don't necessarily require experience... but I'M AN RN!!! (I worked hard for those credentials; how can I be working as a tech- no offense to techs)...

What am I going to do; is there hope for me yet? If any of the OR nurses out there could help me out with some advice, words of wisdom, or personal stories I'd appreciate it.

Thanx!

[PureLifeRN]

I am glad you wrote this because I have the same questions! There is a peri-op course near me, but its not a couple weeks. Its two semesters and has a clinical portion with local hospitals. It's a lot of money but it would be worth it if I could get an OR job! But I dont know if hospitals will like that I was trained somewhere else, and if I would have to sign a contract anyway.

You could get a job on the floor while taking the peri-op course. You would probably be more hireable while working and it would give you good experience to put on your resume!

[paigec]

I went to the OR straight out of nursing school. During nursing school we were all able to choose a specialty like your senior preceptorship and I chose OR along with 2 other students. They actually trained me to scrub in the gynecology surgery service. After school I applied for a job in the OR and was accepted along with the other 2 students. We went through 6 months of orientation and I believe had to work 18 months or so to "pay" them back for our training.

I worked at another hospital that had training programs for nurses from other backgrounds. They would train them for 6 months or so and then they too would be obligated to work for a certain period of time to "pay" for their training. I haven't worked for 7 years now because I'm staying home with my children for now but back then several hospitals in our area had training programs for OR nurses because they were in such demand. Check with the hospitals in your area if you haven't already to see if they have such programs.

Here is where my dilema comes in. I luvvvv the OR and have been thinking about becoming a nurse anesthetist. OR nurse experience doesn't count as the critical care experience necessary to get into those programs and now I am having trouble even getting a floor nursing job because I don't have that kind of patient care experience. Just thought I'd share because it seems I have backed myself into a corner for now. It's a shame because of all people I have been in the OR and know that it is the environment that I want to be in so I will have to leave it for a time to hopefully be able to get back to it.

Good luck.