Who do you see in the OR?

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Hi All!

I'm looking for a bit of career information and am hoping someone can give me a better perspective since I haven't been able to find much info.

After 2yrs in pedi home care, I am thinking about my future. I have come to realize that I would enjoy a job in the OR, and am wondering if PA or NP is the best option. From previous topics that I have posted, many people have told me that I should go the PA route, however, I feel that I would be better diversified (with better employment options) as an NP. I live in Boston, where the job market is bleak at best and any hospital job is hard to come by.

Are people right? Do you see more PA's in the operating room? Or do you find NP's as well? I am looking towards a cardiac or neuro specialty and was thinking of doing an FNP, then getting a post-masters cert in acute care and maybe a RNSA. I don't know many people employed in hospitals and I haven't been able to get much info. Someone also mentioned that because it's Boston, there may be even fewer opportunities due to the amount of med students, new doctors, etc.

Just looking for some help!

Thanks!

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

Most of the surgical groups at my hospital employ both NPs and PAs, but the NPs are responsible for rounding on patients on the floor and the PAs are the ones assisting in surgery.

What is an RNSA? A registered nurse first assist (RNFA) is a program that generally requires OR experience. When I googled RNFA requirements, the first program requires two years proficiency in scrubbing in the OR.

My advice would to check with surgical groups or hospitals in your area to get first hand knowledge rather than hearsay. Then shadow both of the professions and also investigate the requirements for local programs.

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good advice above. here in the pacific NW our cardiac surg team only uses PAs, they both are in the OR as well as round on the floor. I have seen a neuro NP that works with the neuro icu guys, but have no idea if she is in the OR.

info about your location, unless you are wanting to move, is the best bet for you to research.

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I have worked at two large hospitals in MI and only seen two NPs scrubbing in the OR. All the rest are PAs.

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