I am interested in the OR, but I am unable to find an entry-level position because I have no experience. How should I proceed?
Monday January 5, 2009
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I am a recent RN graduate (just passed boards). I am interested in the OR, but I am unable to find an entry-level position because I have no experience. I have contacted several hospitals and sent résumés, but I haven’t received any feedback. How should I proceed?
Rebecca
If OR nursing is your goal, you should join and get active in the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (http://www.aorn.org). Go to local meetings now, even as a guest at first. When there is something you want to do, it makes sense to rub elbows with those already doing that thing. Besides, networking is a great way to find and get a job.
Rather than sending résumés to area hospitals, use your contacts to make more personal connections with OR nurses. Do this by talking to anyone and everyone you know, expressing your interest, and asking if they know anyone who works in an area OR or if they would ask around on your behalf. While many people are not accustomed to using networking for this purpose, it can be very effective. Start doing some informational interviewing (http://www.dcardillo.com/articles/thescoop.html) with perioperative nurses you meet through AORN and through other channels.
When what you’re doing isn’t working, it’s time to try a new approach. Persistence and determination will always win out in the end!
I recommend reading Your First Year as a Nurse: Making the Transition from Total Novice to Successful Professional and The ULTIMATE Career Guide for Nurses: Practical Advice for Thriving at Every Stage of Your Career. Information about the books is available at www.nurse.com/CE/7010 and www.nurse.com/CE/7250, respectively.
My best wishes,
Donna
Donna Cardillo, RN, MA, well-known career guru, is Nursing Spectrum/NurseWeek’s “Dear Donna” and author of Your First Year as a Nurse: Making the Transition from Total Novice to Successful Professional and The ULTIMATE Career Guide for Nurses: Practical Advice for Thriving at Every Stage of Your Career. Information about the books is available at www.nurse.com/CE/7010 and www.nurse.com/CE/7250, respectively. To ask Donna your question, go to www.nurse.com/asktheexperts/deardonna. Find a “Dear Donna” seminar near you: Call (800) 866-0919 or visit http://events.nursingspectrum.com/Seminar.
