want to become an NP in the OR, but can't figure out next step after getting RN!

[bubbles42]

I stuck this in 'general nursing' because I wasn't sure if it should go under 'students' or 'student NP' or just 'NP'...

I know I want to be in the OR, and I'll be applying for a new grad residency in the OR to get all the experience I can. I'm also an older student, so I need to get on the ball with the rest of my education, but I cannot figure out which path to take to get my NP.

I want to choose a path that will be relevant to my goal of spending as much time as possible in the OR. I just have no idea what that path is. I've come to the decision that whether it's an MSN or a DNP program is less important than exactly which track I take.

I know there are several certifications that would be fantastic to have, but I don't want to put the cart before the horse. I just want to figure out what kind of NP I should choose. I've already eliminated the FNP because I'd prefer to stick with adults, so I'm thinking adult/gero is probably what I need.

My other issue is that I need a program that would allow me to work while in school, and I would prefer staying with an in-state program, so that severely limits my options. If I must go out of state, I really don't want a program that charges double tuition for the privilege.

I guess my question is what NP specialty is most often found working in the OR?

[klone, MSN, RN]

NPs don't typically work in the OR. They are generally used in primary care.

You could look into becoming a RNFA. Or a CRNA.

[kakamegamama]

What do you see yourself doing as a NP in the OR? I've never heard of an Advanced Practice RN other than a CRNA in the OR, but others can enlighten me if ANPs other than CRNAs work there. Back to my question....what do you see yourself doing as a NP in the OR?

[bubbles42]

NPs don't typically work in the OR. They are generally used in primary care.

You could look into becoming a RNFA. Or a CRNA.

I would absolutely LOVE to become an RNFA, but definitely not CRNA. I know that one advantage of NPs as RNFAs is that they can bill insurance.

[bubbles42]

What do you see yourself doing as a NP in the OR? I've never heard of an Advanced Practice RN other than a CRNA in the OR, but others can enlighten me if ANPs other than CRNAs work there. Back to my question....what do you see yourself doing as a NP in the OR?

I eventually want to wind up in an RNFA role, but I know that's a few years down the line because I first need OR experience.

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

It is not necessary to become an NP to be an RNFA. More info about the RNFA can be found at AORN's website. aorn.org

NPs and PAs can be in the OR as a first assistant. However, they will also have other duties outside of the OR, including seeing patients in the office and rounding on patients in an inpatient setting. Some employers may require an NP in the FA role to also have RNFA; others may not. It will depend on the facility as to what roles NPs and PAs or RNFAs or CSFAs would play in the OR. In mine, we do not employ any NPs or PAs- they are employed by the surgeon groups. We do have a small handful of RNFAs and CSFAs that were brought on before the surgeons decided to go the PA/NP route (because unlike RNFAs and CSFAs, they could take over some duties outside the OR), so we will be phasing them out as people leave the positions.

[mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN]

Our ortho NP/PAs go into the OR sometimes but not on a regular basis. They go usually to understand the procedures. We are a teaching hosp so there are plenty of residents that are in there. The OR nurses are RNs, some are more senior like in the ladder system and, of course, seniority, and may have different duties, but they usually don't have advanced degrees.

[bubbles42]

Thank you all for the replies! Lots of good info! I just joined AORN as a student member.

I'm getting worried because my local hospital with the new grad residency in the OR also has a scrub tech program and ALL the area hospitals seem to be going the scrub tech route. I'm scared I'll never get a chance to learn how to scrub, and I really want to. Plus, everything I'm reading about the scarcity of RNFA jobs has me super concerned.

I just really want to be in the OR and I'm completely baffled and feeling slightly defeated about how to reach my goals. CCU nursing is not something I'm interested in at all. I'm strictly interested in being involved in the surgery itself, then handing the patient off to those better suited to taking care of what happens afterwards.

[klone, MSN, RN]

Why don't you just get through nursing school and apply to positions in the OR? That's really the only way you're going to get into the OR.

Most OR nurses eventually learn to scrub. And with years of experience and the appropriate certifications, you could take the RNFA certification.

[bubbles42]

Why don't you just get through nursing school and apply to positions in the OR? That's really the only way you're going to get into the OR.

Most OR nurses eventually learn to scrub. And with years of experience and the appropriate certifications, you could take the RNFA certification.

Thank you! That's what I'm working towards right now. I just wish I could figure out my path forward after getting into an OR.

There's a local Adult-Gerontology Acute Care DNP program that would probably be ideal for what I'm trying to do, but I just don't know.

[subee, MSN, CRNA]

Haven't seen RNFA'a in w0 years. They were very short term. Hospitals so not pay RN'a ti scrub. Tech's do it better and cheaper. RN'a in the OR spend a lot if time on the computer. I've never seen NP in the OR either. It's illogical to choose to do something in which you have no experience. I became a CRNA without experience in the OR. They do not accept OR experience as a pre few even. But I knew it was direct patient care and I didn't want to be a 40 year old intern and it would work out in the end. It's the only advanced practice nursing in the OR.

[klone, MSN, RN]

I will preface this by saying that I am NOT an OR nurse, although I do know how to circulate for cesarean deliveries.

My understanding is that an RNFA is not a scrub nurse. S/he is FIRST ASSIST. At many facilities I've worked at, a CNM that works with the OB is often first assist. At teaching hospitals, the Resident is often the first assist.

Yes, I can certainly see the argument that it doesn't make sense to pay an RN to scrub, when you can pay a scrub tech half the salary to do the same thing. But a scrub tech cannot be first assist.