Would a first job at a plastic surgery OR be a waste of time?

subee, MSN, CRNA · Sep 13, 2010

I have a few options of first jobs I'm thinking about and one of them is working at a plastic surgery office/ OR. if I can't find a hospital job after graduation I can do this job, but I'm worried that it won't count as experience and a year down the road I'll be at the same level as the "new" new grads. What do you think? Work there or hold out for a bedside job? Thanks

I'd proceed cautiously. It this office credentialed? Is the surgeon credentialed in cosmetic surgery? How much support from experienced nurses is available? Scrubbing in a plastics office is very different from OR nursing - I don't work anywhere that uses RN's to scrub. Who's giving anesthesia? Do they do generals or limit themselves to sedation? A lot of weird stuff goes on in plastic surgery offices - cutting corners, etc. You don't want to work someplace that's going to become a headline in the newspaper and as a new grad it's unlikely that you're familiar enough with the clues. Take good care of your license.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Sep 13, 2010

Are you an LPN or RN? I'm only asking because this reminds me of when I attended my best friend's graduation from the same LPN school I went to had an LPN guest speaker that spoke very highly of LPNs working in plastic surgery clinics. In fact, she works for an agency that recruits nurses in such positions.

I think that is a sure win! You will get to see many interesting procedures, and you would get to know as well as practice sterile technique blindfolded. In addition, you'll probably have choice days...no weekends (or maybe Saturdays at best) or holidays. You might meet some influential people that can lead to other similar positions. I say go for it!

cobee · Sep 13, 2010

I will be an RN after school. I'm going to be very careful about my license and there is an experience nurse there too. The doc is very experienced and credentialed but I will definitely be asking questions and observing before starting to make sure everything is up to par. Thanks everyone =)

klone, MSN, RN · Sep 13, 2010

I've often thought that working as the RN at an outpt plastic surgery center would be my fantasy job.

Oh, the discounts!

pagandeva2000, LPN · Sep 13, 2010

I will be an RN after school. I'm going to be very careful about my license and there is an experience nurse there too. The doc is very experienced and credentialed but I will definitely be asking questions and observing before starting to make sure everything is up to par. Thanks everyone =)

Will you be working 5 days a week? If not, maybe as your confidence builds, you can eventually obtain a per diem or part time med-surg position. If not, tell him that you have an on line friend who hates this particular mole over her right eye that would LOVE to have it removed at a discount (just kidding...)

cobee · Sep 13, 2010

I do know that the office closes early a lot depending on how many clients there are for the day, so the per diem idea sounds like a good possibility!

SparkleRN · Oct 27, 2010

Hi Cobee -

I am in your same position, and in the Bay Area as well. I recently took a new grad position at a cosmetic surgery center and I absolutely love my job. I am also confused about my future and not making enough money (at least not as much as in the hospital), however there are a lot of perks to consider. No nights, weekends, holidays...no sick people, fun office environment, aesthetic perks...it could be a real career move. Try and work your way into the OR just to have a back up if you ever have to go back to the hospital. In addition, after a few years of providing great service, your surgeon could probably help you find a more advanced job if you wanted to move on.

PM me some time if you want to chat more about your situation, I'd like to have a new grad friend who understands this setting. Also, keep in mind that you could be a real entrepreneur and open your own cosmetic facility some day....you are only as limited as you let yourself believe :)