In the operating room (OR), every movement is a coordinated dance, and every member of the surgical team has their role to play. An OR nurse is a critical member of this team. The position demands strict focus and attention to detail, with the goal of a positive patient outcome.

At Notre Dame of Maryland University (NDM), our Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program continues our 125-year tradition of graduating students dedicated to transforming lives in their communities. If you hold existing college credits or a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field, you can continue this mission and earn your nursing degree in as few as 15 months.

While any nursing specialty has the potential to improve patients’ lives, the impact of OR nursing is especially tangible. If the work of an operating room nurse interests you, take a closer look at what the role entails and how you can get started.

What Is an OR Nurse?

Operating room nurses work with surgeons, anesthesiologists and other health care professionals across numerous specialties, including:

• Cardiology
• General surgery
• Neurology
• Oncology
• Pediatrics
• Urology

Regardless of specialty, an OR nurse ensures the procedure goes smoothly and supports the surgeon as needed. Throughout the surgery, these nurses may also serve as a point of contact for the patient’s family and loved ones, as well as other members of the care team.

What Does an OR Nurse Do? Key Responsibilities

The daily responsibilities of an OR nurse vary depending on the work environment and surgical specialty, but common tasks include:

• Administering IV medications
• Assisting surgeons
• Communicating with the surgical team
• Managing bleeding and assisting with sutures
• Monitoring vitals
• Prepping and maintaining a sterile field
• Recording and documenting surgical notes

Skills Needed to Succeed as an OR Nurse

Every operation can be different, which can be very rewarding for those who enjoy variety and working with a team. Operating room nurses should have a keen attention to detail and thrive in fast-paced environments, as well as other skills, including:

• Multitasking
• Critical thinking
• Organization
• Level-headedness

As an OR nurse, you will typically be in the center of the action, so it’s not enough to have these skills; you must be able to apply them in a high-pressure environment. It’s important to remember, though, that success means you may change the patient’s life for the better.

Types of OR Nurses: Understanding the Differences

OR nurses have a vital role in modern health care. As surgical procedures grow more advanced, the knowledge of everyone in the operating room must grow as well, leading to the creation of more specialized nursing positions. Several nursing specialties have duties that put them in contact with patients before, during and after a procedure, or that fall under the umbrella of OR nursing.

Operating Room Nurse

In the operating room, an OR nurse may practice in two different roles:

• Scrub Nurse: These nurses assist the surgeon by maintaining the sterile field and passing instruments during the operation.
• Circulating Nurse: These nurses practice outside the sterile area, managing the nursing staff, ensuring patient safety and comfort and overall acting as a patient advocate.

In an operating room, a precise allocation of responsibilities is needed to guarantee there is no confusion or distraction that could jeopardize the patient’s safety.

Perioperative Nurse

Operating room nursing and perioperative nursing are often used interchangeably. Perioperative nursing, however, often encompasses a broader scope of care, spanning the period before, during and after the operation.

A perioperative nurse will perform the duties of an OR nurse, or intraoperative room nurse, as well as a pre-op and post-op nurse. Some pre-op responsibilities include:

• Answering patient questions about the operation
• Confirming patient vitals are in an acceptable range
• Helping patients with paperwork
• Preparing patients for surgery

Post-op responsibilities may include:

• Caring for surgical wounds
• Explaining recovery instructions and answering questions
• Informing family and loved ones of the operation’s outcome
• Monitoring post-op vital signs and anesthesia recovery

A perioperative nursing career will require additional patient care experience and certifications specific to this role. It’s worth noting that the broader scope of practice has made this role especially popular among nurses seeking OR positions.

How to Become an OR Nurse

Answering the question “How do I become an operating room nurse?” follows the same equation as many nursing specialties. The primary difference is in where you should gain experience and which certifications are recommended.

Earn Your Nursing Degree

The first step, of course, is earning your nursing degree. While you may become an OR nurse with either an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), the American Association of Colleges of Nursing reports a preference among employers for BSN-educated nurses. This may be especially true for a more technical specialty, such as operating room nursing.

If you have existing college credits or a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, you may be eligible for an accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, like the one at Notre Dame. These programs can reduce a four-year graduation timeline to less than two years.

Pass the NCLEX-RN Exam

The next step to becoming an OR nurse is passing the NCLEX-RN exam. After graduating from your chosen nursing program, passing the NCLEX enables you to earn the title of registered nurse and begin your clinical practice.

This rigorous exam evaluates your clinical competence and critical thinking, so it’s essential to start preparing well in advance.

Build Clinical Experience

After graduating and obtaining your license, you’ll need to accrue work experience in a relevant clinical area. For example, positions in a hospital, especially the ER, a surgery center or a perioperative practice for a minimum of two years can help prepare you for OR certification.

It’s best to build experience in a sub-specialty you hope to certify in, forming a direct path into your career.

Obtain Certification and Continue Education

When entering a skill-intensive specialty, such as OR nursing or perioperative nursing, employers typically prefer candidates with at least one relevant certification, in addition to several years of work experience.

The Association for Perioperative Registered Nurses (AORN) compiled a list of useful certifications available for various OR roles, including:

• CNOR – the Certified Perioperative Nurse credential
• CSSL – the Certified Surgical Services Leader credential
• CNS-CP – the Clinical Nurse Specialist Perioperative Certification for Master’s-educated candidates

Certification course content is periodically updated to incorporate the latest knowledge of surgical techniques, equipment, protocols, medications and more. To keep up with these changing standards, nurses are required to recertify their credentials every three to five years, depending on the certification, and to participate in continuing education programs.

Professional organizations are also available for surgical and OR nurses to join, offering a community for support, professional development and advocacy.

Pursue Nursing Excellence at Notre Dame of Maryland University

If you choose the ABSN program at Notre Dame of Maryland University, you will receive a well-rounded nursing education, working through online coursework, onsite labs and clinical experiences. To ensure you get the most out of our accelerated program, you will have the support of your professors and an Academic Success Coach, who can advise you through any academic challenges.

To get started, request information to speak with an admissions advisor and learn more about the ABSN admissions requirements.