will a PACU externship help me get hired in the OR?

I did a year of Med/Surg actually maybe a year and a half, and I am so happy I did. I would never change that. I learned so much and I take it with me wherever I go, years later. My recommendation is to do Med/Surg, but that's just me.

As for the PACU, I went to the PACU first because there was no OR internship. Our director knew I wanted to go to the OR and started to train me in the OR before they finally got an internship. If I were you, I would find a hospital with an OR internship and skip the PACU thing if you really want to work in the OR.

Good Luck!

I did an externship in the PACU and was hired in the OR with open arms. It's always nice to get grandfathered in, and since the PACU and OR are under the same Peri op unit it helps to get your foot in if the people already know you. I'm enjoying my OR orientation very much! Good luck:)

thanks!! may i ask what hospital you are working at?? i have applied to valley, hackensack and barnabas......any other suggestions

I believe those are in NJ right? I am in Elmhurst Hospital in Queens, NY. I dont' know which I could suggest at the moment...last I knew my hospital was on a hiring freeze..eeek.

alot of hospitals in nj are too........hopefully by the time i graduate they will pick up........i will keep your hospital in mind. Do they have an application process for new grads?? I would love to be in manhattan. What is the starting pay rate for your hospital?? (if you dont mind me asking!!)

sent you a pm.