What to do after graduation- I really want to be an OR nurse

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Specializes in LTC.

So here's my story-

I have worked in a hospital for 5 years. 3.5 of them were in the main OR as an Anesthesia Tech. When I started RN school, my NM told me that the Anesthesia Dept. did not need a part time anesthesia tech so she helped me find a Nursing Assistant position in the hospital. I convinced myself that it would be beneficial to my skills even though I knew I would hate it. I have worked in an Operating Room for the last 7 out of 9 years, and I miss it more than I thought I would.

A few weeks ago I approached my old NM regarding the periop program that the hospital sends nurses to. She told me that I would miss this year because I don't graduate until Dec, but to stay in the hospital system as an RN and next Sept. she would review my application.

My question is do I apply to other area hospitals for thier OR, or do I take an inpatient floor nursing job at my current hospital even though I'm afraid I will hate it?

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Specializes in Cardiac.

If you know OR is where you will be happy ,why not try and be there. That is what I am going to do

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Specializes in Operating Room (and a bit of med/surg).

the only reason i can think of to stay at your hospital would be for seniority, but if you are just starting as an RN I don't know if you would retain any of that seniority. if you don't, there's no reason to stay.

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I agree with Maeyken...

Unless your current hospital will give you credit (i.e. Experience points for years of service) that could positively affect your starting salary then there is no point torturing yourself on a floor that you know you will despise. That will just through off your entire groove and may be detrimental to your patients.

You could be in a bad mood..hating your job ..your coworkers…your patients …life…and accidently make a mistake. Your mood totally affects your performance. Yes, ultimately we are here for our patients…..but what good are you to your patient if you’re not “right” yourself? Good luck! Keep us posted…Have you decided on an OR specialty?

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Specializes in OR, ER, Med-Surg, ICU, CCU, Home Health.

I would check out other periop programs. You could change your status to per diem at your hospital to maintain your seniority. I almost interpret what you said about your NM, that he/she's not interested in your being there. Good luck to you. If you love the OR, then you need to get trained for the OR.

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Specializes in LTC.

Thanks for responding, as I inch closer to graduation I am becoming more apprehensive about my future. Beth- I also took my former NM comments to mean that she does not want me either. I applied for a position at a large teaching hospital for an Endo RN position. Unfortunatley this hospital has a history of only hiring current employees.

I love the OR and knew from the moment I stepped foot in one that I was meant for it. When I was an Anesthesia Tech my favorite cases were Vascular and Ortho, and I am interested in pretty much everything.

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