Operating Room Nurse Career in Brief
OR nurses play an important role in all aspects of surgeries, from preparation to patient recovery. They work under physicians and surgeons and may supervise nursing assistants or surgical technologists. As part of a surgical team, they must be good communicators and able to respond calmly to unexpected or high-stress situations.
Primary Responsibilities
- Preparing patients for operations
- Ensuring that equipment and operating rooms are sterile
- Assisting during surgeries
- Caring for patients during the postoperative stage
Career Traits
- Methodical
- Attention to detail
- Adaptable
- Calm under pressure
- Collaborative
Where Do Operating Room Nurses Work?
Most OR nurse jobs take place in inpatient and outpatient settings at hospitals, surgical centers, or physician practices.
Hospitals OR nurses ensure the operating room is sterile and equipped, assist during the procedure, and monitor patients during recovery.
Surgical Centers Perioperative nurses educate patients on the procedure and postsurgery treatment, assist during operations, and make certain patients are safely discharged.
Physician Practices OR nurses sterilize room and medical equipment, assist during the procedure, and follow up with patients after release.
What Are the Different Types of Perioperative Nursing Roles?
OR and surgical nurses both fall under the specialty area of perioperative nursing. Included under this specialty are three distinct roles.
Scrub Nurse A scrub nurse prepares the operating room and equipment, assists surgeon(s) during the procedure, and prepares patients for the recovery room.
Circulating Nurse A circulating nurse confirms equipment and room sterility, advocates for patients as needed during surgery, and alerts the surgical team to any issues or problems.
RN First Assistant (RNFA) The RFNA controls bleeding during surgery, sutures incisions and wounds, and assists in stabilizing patients when necessary.
How to Become an Operating Room Nurse
How Much Do Operating Room Nurses Make?
The average annual salary for OR nurses is $94,573, according to more than $135,320. Urban areas pay OR nurses higher salaries, with academic medical centers paying more than community hospitals.
Jobs for RNs in general are projected to grow faster than average, increasing 5% between 2024 and 2034, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Learn more about surgical nurse salaries.
Resources for Operating Room Nurses
Frequently Asked Questions
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