I have > 1 yr. Trauma/Neuro and Med/Surg exp., any advice on becoming an OR nurse?

Hello fellow nurses,
I live in a south suburb of Chicago and graduated in May 2005. I have been working as a staff nurse in a major Trauma Center on the Trauma/Neuro unit since June 2005. We also have open Med/Surg and Tele beds. We basically receive all types of patients if there's a bed open. I love my job, but I've recently became interested in becoming an OR nurse, possibly Trauma or Plastics. Any advice? I don't know where to start.

ajackson wrote:Hello fellow nurses,
I live in a south suburb of Chicago and graduated in May 2005. I have been working as a staff nurse in a major Trauma Center on the Trauma/Neuro unit since June 2005. We also have open Med/Surg and Tele beds. We basically receive all types of patients if there's a bed open. I love my job, but I've recently became interested in becoming an OR nurse, possibly Trauma or Plastics. Any advice? I don't know where to start.

Hi there,

My guess is that you're ready to check out the OR. Be ready, because the OR works very differently from the floor. Much of your experience will translate but will need to be modified to fit. Most hospitals run CNOR orientation programs for their OR trainees, so you will be well indoctrinated before you finally handle your own cases. I went through this process years back and while I consider it valuable, I learned that circulating cases was NOT what I wanted to do. Don't let my experience negatively impact your search. Being a circulating RN may be exactly what you're looking for. Good Luck.

R