Nursing is a career in high demand with great benefits, but finding the right specialty can sometimes be challenging. Operating room nursing (including surgical nursing or perioperative nursing) is a specialty that appeals to nurses who want a fast-paced environment and enjoy working as part of a team.
Operating room nurses often assist physicians, like surgeons, during procedures, requiring an ability to work well under pressure. They also care for patients before and after surgery and work with care teams through each stage of a patient’s surgical experience and recovery. These nurses are focused on details and make a significant difference in patient’s lives.
If you’re a nurse looking for a fulfilling specialty in high demand, a career in the operating room could be the right fit. OR nursing offers challenging but rewarding opportunities to connect with patients and help them have a positive experience around the operating room.
The Role of an Operating Room Nurse
Every day in the operating room can be different, which can be an exciting and rewarding career for nurses. OR nurses should be able to thrive in fast-paced environments, multitask, think on their feet, and stay organized in high-pressure environments.
Becoming an operating room nurse means you will often be where the action is. You will be an important part of medical teams that offer transformative treatment solutions to patients. Being part of this dynamic healthcare specialty is fulfilling for many nurses.
Here are a few more aspects of OR and surgical nursing to consider.
Work Settings
Operating room environments vary based on the surgeries and procedures being performed. OR nurses typically work in hospital OR and surgical departments, ambulatory care centers, outpatient surgery centers, physician offices, clinics, and more.
The intensity of the operating room or surgical setting will vary based on facility type. OR nurses work anywhere surgeries happen, so the demands of the work environments can vary greatly depending on if your focus is emergency surgery and trauma or routine and elective procedures.
Types of Care and Subspecialities
Operating room nurses work with surgeons and anesthesiologists across various specialties, such as pediatrics, general surgery, cardiology, urology, neurology, oncology, and more. An OR nurse provides care across these specialties for patients before, during, and after surgical procedures. Some nurses sub-specialize in one of those three areas, while other facilities have OR nurses floating between those operation stages.
- Pre-op nurse: Pre-op OR nurses will help prepare patients for surgery and be a point of contact for families and patients with questions leading up to a patient’s procedure. They will monitor patient vital signs to ensure patients are ready for surgery. Pre-op nurses administer IVs, complete paperwork, and provide a point of contact for patients and their loved ones. Surgery can be a stressful experience for many patients and quality pre-op care can help alleviate some of that stress.
- Perioperative nurse: OR nurses assist clinicians during procedures, prepping and maintaining sterile conditions, helping with equipment and instruments, managing bleeding, and assisting with suturing. They make sure everything goes smoothly and assist as needed through the procedure. During a patient’s surgery, OR nurses may be a point of contact with a patient’s family or other members of care teams as well.
- Post-op nurse: Post-op OR nurses are caregivers for patients after surgical procedures. They will monitor patient vital signs similar to pre-op protocol, and update family members about surgery and recovery. They may also administer medication, monitor symptoms of anesthesia, care for surgical wounds, and more. For some situations, this might be called a post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) nurse or recovery room nurse.
General Responsibilities
The routine responsibilities of an operating room nurse will vary depending on facility settings and surgical specialties, but many routine tasks might include:
- Preparing sterile operating rooms
- Administering IVs
- Managing pain relief
- Monitoring vitals
- Communicating with care teams
- Updating family members and loved ones
- Performing technical duties
- Maintaining equipment
- Assisting surgeons
- Providing care instructions
- Recording surgical events
- Documenting notes
Benefits of OR Nursing Jobs
Operating room jobs offer nurses significant benefits in terms of career fulfillment, demand, pay, and more. This career path offers a variety of opportunities for personal job satisfaction and professional advancement.
Salary and Benefits
The average salary for all registered nurses is about $83,000 per year or $40 per hour, and surgical or OR nurses can expect a similar range. This compensation will vary based on facility and geographic area. The annual pay of nurses is expected to increase regularly as the demand for healthcare positions continues to grow.
Career Advancement
Surgical nurses can work towards RFNA certification or become nurse practitioners when they earn a master’s or doctorate degree, and pass a certification exam. A CNOR certification is needed prior to an RNFA certification.
After receiving an RNFA certification, nurses can then work toward a CRNFA certification to further establish their qualifications and experience. Other certification options include certified medical-surgical registered nurse, certified foundational perioperative nurse, certified ambulatory surgery nurse, and others.
Some career advancement positions for operating room nurses include nurse supervisor, nurse manager, director of nursing, and more.
Job Demand
An ongoing nurse staffing shortage has kept nursing jobs in high demand, with only higher demand projected. OR nurses can count on consistent job options available across the country. As surgical practices become more advanced, more experienced nurses in this field will continue to be needed.
How to Become an OR Nurse
Becoming an OR nurse involves schooling, licensing, work experience, and certifications. Here are the steps toward becoming an OR nurse:
- Earn Your Nursing Degree
Becoming an operating room nurse begins with attending nursing school and completing either a two-year ADN program or a four-year BSN program. There are some accelerated programs available that offer BSN certification in three years. - Pass the NCLEX-RN Exam
The next step in becoming an OR nurse means preparing for the NCLEX-RN exam (National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses) after graduation. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing administers this exam, and their website offers information and resources to prepare for and pass the test successfully. - Complete a Certification Program
After graduating and obtaining your license, you’ll then need work experience that counts towards certification. Working at a hospital, surgery center, or perioperative practice for typically a minimum of two years will set you up to apply for certification. There are a variety of sub-specialties in OR and surgical nursing, allowing you to form a career path that makes the most sense for your situation and interests. - Maintain Training, Education, and Further Certifications
Periodically, operating room nurses need to recertify their credentials and enroll in continuing education programs. These courses update skill sets regarding surgical techniques, protocols, equipment, medications, and more. There are also professional organizations available for surgical and OR nurses to join. These organizations provide a community of support, development, and advocacy.
Operating Room Nurse Jobs with SHC
Supplemental Health Care (SHC) is a leader in providing OR nurse job opportunities in a variety of facilities across the country. If you’re looking for a local or travel nursing job as an OR nurse, search our open positions to find the right fit for you! Or contact our recruiting team today to learn more about how SHC can take your nursing career to the next level!
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