What does an OR nurse do?

OR nurses assist the surgeons they work with by managing much of the hands-on patient care before and after a surgical procedure. During an operation, they are frequently present in the sterile environment as part of the surgical team. They may administer medications and monitor patients in the recovery room immediately after surgery.

It’s common for OR nurses to serve as the point of contact between patients and their families and the surgeon and other doctors managing their care. In this capacity, an OR nurse is likely to educate patients and explain complex procedures to lay people in plain language. They also commonly bring the questions and concerns of patients and families to the care team to ensure responsive care.

OR nurse skills and qualifications

Successful OR nurses provide a wide range of services for the patients they care for. To do a good job, OR nurses should have the following skills and qualifications:

• Strong organizational abilities and the ability to communicate clearly and accurately
• Stable emotions and a professional demeanor when interacting with people from all backgrounds
• A valid nursing certificate or BSN degree from an accredited college or university
• National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) certification
• Current vaccinations and a lack of communicable diseases that might endanger patients with compromised immune systems
• Careful attention to detail and an exacting approach to keeping charts and following care plans

OR nurse experience requirements

OR nurse careers are a specialization that are generally only open to well-trained and experienced nurses. Qualifying candidates should have a BSN and some years of experience working as a registered nurse before applying. Many entry-level OR nurses get experience in the closely related field of medical/surgical nursing, often for the same employer.

At higher levels, nurse managers and lead OR nurses take on a more administrative role. To do this, it’s helpful to have several years’ experience as an OR nurse, plus some training in administration and management. Many lead OR nurses earn a master’s degree in nursing and maintain advanced professional certifications.

OR nurse education and training requirements

It’s common for OR nurses to start as entry-level RNs, often working in post-acute or nursing home care. This position requires a vocational certificate that usually takes around two years to complete, plus national NCLEX-RN certification. In time, many RNs finish earning their bachelor’s degrees in nursing (BSN), which is a common prerequisite for entry into nursing specialty fields, such as OR nursing and critical care.

To advance as an OR nurse, it’s often necessary to obtain a master’s degree in nursing (MSN) and acquire several years of satisfactory experience in medical/surgical fields. Lead OR nurses frequently earn extra credentials related to advanced patient care or to hospital and health care administration.

Job description samples for similar positions

If OR nurse is not exactly what you’re looking for in a career, there are several similar jobs in health care you can look into. Read these job descriptions for closely related careers in nursing:

• Charge Nurse
• ER Nurse
• Intensive Care Unit Nurse
• Home Health Nurse

OR nurse job description FAQs

How is the job of an OR nurse different from a medical/surgical nurse?

OR nurses practice a sub-discipline of medical/surgical nursing, but with additional duties in the operating room itself. OR nurses are also often required to maintain extra certifications and have more experience.

Do OR nurses perform surgery?

While OR nurses are present in the operating room during surgery, they do not work on their own. Surgeons are primarily responsible for performing surgery, though a qualified OR nurse can assist with secondary procedures, such as suturing or retraction.

Do OR nurses work long hours?

OR nurses usually have schedules set around a surgeon’s scheduled procedures, but overtime is common, and the needs of the patients take priority. Working hours for OR nurses can be highly variable when the need is present.