If you’re looking for a nursing job that allows you to care for patients before, during, and after surgery, an operating room (OR) nurse may be exactly what you’re looking for. OR nurses have a wide range of responsibilities that are essential to patients undergoing surgical procedures.
In this guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about OR nurses, including what they are, their role responsibilities, and the steps you need to take to become an operating room nurse.
What is an OR Nurse?
OR nurses are specialized nursing professionals who work with patients and their families, while they prepare to undergo a surgical procedure. It is the responsibility of an OR nurse to ensure patients undergoing surgery are cared for at an optimal level before, during, and after the procedure.
What Does an OR Nurse Do?
The primary responsibilities of OR nurses pertain to patient care for patients set to undergo a surgical procedure. Some of the common duties for an OR nurse include:
- Caring for patients before, during, and post-surgery
- Updating patient records
- Administering medications and treatments
- Preparing and sterilizing surgical instruments
OR Nurse Requirements
Before becoming an OR nurse, candidates must first follow the process of becoming a registered nurse (RN). This includes obtaining the requisite degrees and certifications. Once they have completed the requirements for becoming an RN, those wishing to become an OR must complete a certificate program that qualifies RNs for jobs in operating rooms.
If you are interested in becoming an OR nurse, we offer a wide selection of OR nursing jobs all over the country. Explore our OR nursing jobs page to find options that suit your needs.