More than 310 million surgeries — elective and emergent — happen globally every year. As an operating room (OR) nurse, you’re part of an interdisciplinary team that helps keep patients safe during surgical procedures. Registered nurses (RNs) in this specialty are also referred to as perioperative nurses. They can go by a few additional names that indicate what their particular role is within the OR:
- Scrub nurses prepare the OR for patients. They sterilize the room and equipment, and might pass supplies to the surgeon during the case.
- Circulating or circulator nurses help prepare patients and provide supplies to the surgical team. They may also handle administrative duties.
- A first assistant (RNFA) is either an RN or advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) who works directly with a surgeon during a case by performing tasks that include monitoring vitals, controlling bleeding, and postoperative suture removal.
Additionally, OR nurses can focus on specialty areas. For example, a cardiovascular operating room (CVOR) nurse is part of the team that cares for cardiac patients during surgery.
If you’re exploring OR nurse jobs in hospitals or ambulatory centers, you can find full-time, part-time, contract, temporary, or per diem opportunities right here on IntelyCare. You can also search by popular job titles:
- Nurse anesthetist OR jobs
- Nurse practitioner OR jobs
- RN OR jobs
- LPN OR jobs
- LVN OR jobs
- Surgical tech OR jobs
- CNA OR jobs
- Student nurse OR jobs
OR Nurse Education and Certifications
It's possible to work in the OR in many capacities, from surgical tech to nurse practitioner and nearly every level of nursing in between. You must hold an unobstructed license or certification for your role. Basic life support (BLS) certification is almost always a must. While RNs can hold either an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN), the latter tends to be preferred by employers.
Eligible nurses can pursue specialized certification, which may not only enhance your clinical expertise, it can also give you an advantage when applying to operating room nurse jobs. Consider the following:
- Certified Foundational Perioperative Nurse (CFPN)
- Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR)
- Certified Ambulatory Surgical Nurse (CNAMB)
For more insight into what employers might require for this role, review our sample job template for an OR nurse.
OR Nurse Resume and Cover Letter
A solid application can help you situate yourself for prime OR nursing jobs. For a standout operating room nurse resume, align your skills to the requirements of a particular job.
For instance, if an employer is hoping for a candidate who excels at providing “individualized, goal-directed patient care” and who has “medical surgical experience in an acute care setting,” be sure your resume features those phrases.
Use your OR nurse cover letter to elaborate. Share a story that illustrates how you’ve prioritized care for your patients’ unique needs in the past. This shows a potential employer that you would be a great fit for the job.
Interviewing for Operating Room Nurse Jobs
Just as you wouldn’t walk into an OR without knowing a case top to bottom, you shouldn’t casually approach a job interview — no matter how many years of experience you have under your belt. Review some of the top OR nurse interview questions and practice your answers to help take the stress off your shoulders.
OR Nurse Salary
The average annual OR nurse salary is around $87,060 for an RN. Your location, certifications, experience, facility type, and employer can impact what you earn.
Ready to Find OR Nurse Jobs?
Check out all the positions available right now. Want other options? IntelyCare can match you with even more nursing jobs that interest you.