Question:
Dear Donna,
I am a nursing student and really want to work in the OR after I graduate. I would rather not do one year of med/surg before specializing. I am about to start a nurse attendant position to get my foot in the door. Is there anything I can do now to prepare myself for obtaining a position in the OR?
Marcie
Dear Donna,
I am a nursing student and really want to work in the OR after I graduate. I would rather not do one year of med/surg before specializing. I am about to start a nurse attendant position to get my foot in the door. Is there anything I can do now to prepare myself for obtaining a position in the OR?
Marcie
Dear Donna replies:
Dear Marcie,
The advice about needing to have one to two years of med/surg experience before moving elsewhere is outdated and was never right for every nurse anyway. There are many nurses, including myself, who have never worked in med/surg. It is a specialty just like any other. It is absolutely possible to start your nursing career in the OR. Move in that direction by joining the Association of periOperative Nurses as a student (www.aorn.org/Membership/Membership_Types/Student_Membership.aspx). You'll get publications, information and many additional benefits. Plus, it will look great on your resume and expand your professional network. You should get out to local meetings as a guest if you don’t join right away.
Start doing some informational interviewing (www.Nurse.com/Cardillo/Interviewing) with nurses working in the OR, including managers and directors. Find them through the above professional association and by asking around. This is a good way to gather information and insights and make valuable professional contacts. The nurse attendant position is a great thing to do. While there, be sure to make contact with the OR staff and express your career goals. Everything happens through networking, and it's never too soon to start.
Best wishes,
Donna
Dear Marcie,
The advice about needing to have one to two years of med/surg experience before moving elsewhere is outdated and was never right for every nurse anyway. There are many nurses, including myself, who have never worked in med/surg. It is a specialty just like any other. It is absolutely possible to start your nursing career in the OR. Move in that direction by joining the Association of periOperative Nurses as a student (www.aorn.org/Membership/Membership_Types/Student_Membership.aspx). You'll get publications, information and many additional benefits. Plus, it will look great on your resume and expand your professional network. You should get out to local meetings as a guest if you don’t join right away.
Start doing some informational interviewing (www.Nurse.com/Cardillo/Interviewing) with nurses working in the OR, including managers and directors. Find them through the above professional association and by asking around. This is a good way to gather information and insights and make valuable professional contacts. The nurse attendant position is a great thing to do. While there, be sure to make contact with the OR staff and express your career goals. Everything happens through networking, and it's never too soon to start.
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.
