OR Nurse Career Guide

Looking for a different career guide?

Overview

Operating Room (OR) nurses, also known as perioperative nurses, are essential members of the surgical team. They play a critical role in providing safe and effective patient care during surgical procedures. OR nurses are responsible for preparing the operating room, assisting the surgical team, monitoring patients' vital signs and ensuring a sterile environment. Their expertise contributes to the success of

Education

To become an Operating Room RN, individuals must meet specific education requirements. The educational background needed is typically a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. BSN programs generally span four years and offer comprehensive coursework in nursing fundamentals, anatomy, pharmacology and perioperative nursing. Accredited nursing schools and universities offer BSN programs.

A stethoscope held in one hand

Related certifications

To work as an Operating Room RN, several qualifications and experience requirements must be met:

Licensure: Graduates must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) to obtain their nursing license. This examination ensures that nurses have the necessary knowledge and skills to practice safely and effectively.

Certifications: While not mandatory, obtaining certifications can enhance professional credibility and job prospects.

State licenses process and requirements

All 50 states require state licensure to become a professional nurse. Review the step-by-step process to obtain or renew your RN license in each one.
Select
A stethoscope held in one hand

Skills

To succeed as a staff or travel OR nurse, a combination of knowledge, hard skills, soft skills and competencies are necessary:

  • Surgical Knowledge: A solid understanding of surgical procedures, sterile techniques, instrumentation and perioperative nursing principles is essential.

  • Critical Thinking and Decision-Making: Operating Room RNs must possess strong critical thinking skills to anticipate and respond to intraoperative challenges, ensure patient

Thousands of
healthcare jobs in
your pocket.

4.8

13.6k Ratings

4.4

1.5k Ratings

Responsibilities

Operating Room RNs have various responsibilities in their role:

Preoperative Preparation: Assisting with patient preparation, including positioning, prepping and draping the surgical site. Verifying patient identification, surgical consent and ensuring the availability of necessary equipment and supplies.

Intraoperative Support: Providing direct patient care during surgeries, monitoring vital signs, administering medications, managing surgical instruments and assisting with procedures as required.

Patient Safety and Advocacy:

Salary Insights

Compare your pay with the most up-to-date job market data using our comprehensive salary calculator.
OR Nurse
$1,848-2,946/week

The average salary for a OR Nurse is $2,370.87 per week.

Last updated on November 21, 2024. Based on active jobs on Vivian.com.

Pros & Cons

Working as an Operating Room RN offers numerous benefits and drawbacks:

Pros:

  • High Level of Specialization: Operating Room RNs gain in-depth knowledge and expertise in surgical procedures, instrumentation and perioperative nursing, making them highly specialized professionals.

  • Impactful Patient Care: Operating Room RNs contribute to the successful outcomes of surgical procedures, directly impacting patients' lives and well-being.

  • Professional Growth Opportunities: Continuing education, advanced certifications and

Was this page helpful?

OR Nurse Jobs


View job details for Travel Nurse RN - OR - Operating Room
Travel Contract

Travel Nurse RN - OR - Operating Room

  • Patchogue, NY
  • Summit Medical Staffing Nursing
  • 4x12 hrs, Nights
  • Referral Bonus

$4,079/week

Posted 5 days ago
View job details for Travel Nurse RN - OR - Operating Room
Travel Contract

Travel Nurse RN - OR - Operating Room

  • Porterville, CA
  • MedPro Healthcare Staffing
  • 5x8 hrs, Days
  • Referral Bonus

$4,011/week

Estimated pay package
Posted 1 day ago
 Verified
View job details for Travel Nurse RN - OR - Operating Room
Travel Contract

Travel Nurse RN - OR - Operating Room

  • Santa Maria, CA
  • Aureus Medical Group - Nursing
  • 5x8 hrs, Days

$3,879/week

Estimated pay package
Posted Today
View job details for Travel Nurse RN - OR - Operating Room
Travel Contract

Travel Nurse RN - OR - Operating Room

  • Santa Maria, CA
  • TotalMed Staffing
  • 3x12 hrs, Days
  • Referral Bonus

$3,877/week

Estimated pay package
Posted Today

Get alerts about new jobs

Be the first to know about new jobs for Operating Room Nurses.

Some of the content on this page was enhanced using artificial intelligence.

Join over 1 million healthcare workers that are getting a head start with Vivian.

Join Vivian
A group of healthcare professionals.