Being an operating room nurse means being focused, disciplined and a team player. “It is a high stress working environment. But it is so rewarding seeing the problem and usually being able to fix it,” says Kelly Jewell, perioperative clinical coordinator at Fremont Health in Fremont.
Full Answer
How do you become an operating room nurse?
What Does an Operating Room Nurse Do?
- Complete a Nursing Program. You can enroll in a 2-year associate's program or a 4-year bachelor's program in nursing. ...
- Gain Clinical Experience. In a nursing program, you'll likely complete a clinical program. ...
- Get RN Licensure. ...
- Earn OR Experience. ...
- Seek Certification. ...
What is it like to be an operating room nurse?
Sometimes, people in the operating room are yelling and scaring. But as an operating room nurse, you still have to be focused and be thoughtful of what is happening, she says. “There are surgeries where it is life or death. But I love my job. The job has made me much more thoughtful of the people around me.
What are the responsibilities of an operating room nurse?
What Are the Roles & Duties of an OR Nurse?
- Coordinates use of supplies, instrumentation and equipment for operative care
- Ensures equipment is functioning correctly
- Maintains patient safety standards
- Monitors, records and communicates patient's condition and needs with the interdisciplinary team
- Manages overall care of the patient before, during and after the surgical procedure
What is the average salary for an operating room nurse?
The average Staff Nurse - RN - Operating Room salary in the United States is $79,277 as of March 29, 2021, but the range typically falls between $71,129 and $87,639. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession.
What is it like being a operating room nurse?
It's intense, the stakes are high, and it takes a strong, unfaltering resolve. That said, being that OR nurses are limited to one patient at a time (this is to reduce the risk of mistakes made during the procedure), the work is incredibly rewarding.
Is working in the operating room hard?
The hardest part of the job is the stress. If you are working on a cardiac case, a trauma case or a ruptured aneurysm, everyone is highly focused on reaching the critical point in the surgery. You may also have irregular hours and be on-call for emergencies.
What is the least stressful nursing job?
The 10 Least Stressful Nursing Jobs This Year (2022)Nurse Educators. ... Institutional Nurses. ... Research Nurses. ... Public Health Nurses. ... Occupational Health Nurses. ... Case Management Nurses. ... Home Health Nurses. ... Clinic Nurses.More items...•
Why do you like operating room nursing?
Operating room nurses have the opportunity to help those in need. In this position, you can provide emotional support and comfort to patients who may be nervous about their surgeries. You can also educate them about the procedure and help them learn to care for themselves following it.
What is the easiest nursing job?
Low-Stress Nursing Careers1 1. Nurse Educator.2 2. School Nurse/Summer Camp Nurse.3 3. Nurse Administrator.4 4. Public Health Nurse.5 5. Nurse Researcher.6 6. Nurse Informaticist.7 7. Case Management Nurse.8 8. Home Health Nurse.More items...•
Why operating rooms are so cold?
Dr. Keeping the patient warm turns out to be very important. Operating Rooms are cold. They're cold because the surgeons wear a lot of clothes, and they need to be comfortable to operate. Under anesthesia patients don't manage their temperature very well.
What is the happiest nurse job?
Let's take a look at some nursing specialties where nurses report being happiest.School Nurse. ... Labor and Delivery Nurse. ... Case Management Nurse. ... Nurse Educator. ... Parish Nurse. ... Travel Nurse.
Which nurse is more prone to burnout?
Critical care nursesCritical care nurses tend to suffer the highest rates of burnout. Critical care specialties include the emergency department (ED) and intensive care unit (ICU). Emergency department nurses tend to experience the highest rates of burnout.
What is the Chillest nursing job?
9 Lower-stress nursing jobsNurse educator. Nurse educators are medical professionals who train nurses and aspiring nurses. ... Long-term care nurse. ... Nurse administrator. ... Clinical research nurse. ... School or summer camp nurse. ... Clinic nurse. ... Nurse informatics. ... Lactation consultant nurse.More items...•
Is it hard to be a surgical nurse?
Surgical or perioperative nurses must be detail-oriented, adaptive, calm under pressure, and able to juggle multiple priorities with ease. In addition, strong technical skills, the ability to think critically in a fast-paced, challenging environment, and excellent communication skills are important requirements.
What should an operating room nurse know?
Certain skills are even more important than others in this environment, including the following five skills.Ability to Work as a Team. ... Excellent Communication Skills. ... Highly Organized. ... Attention to Detail. ... Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking.
Do operating room nurses work weekends?
It depends on where you are, big hospital, rural hospital (like me) surgical center, etc. For me, in rural Ohio, we have 6 OR's but normally only run 3 rooms at a time. We work the standard 0700 to 1530 shift, and rotate a call schedule. Weekdays, 1530 till 0700 the next day, weekends 0700 Saturday, to 0700 Monday.
Is surgery scheduling a stressful job?
It can be stressful dealing with phone calls, paperwork, and patients–all at the same time. Surgeries can be rescheduled at the last minute, which can be frustrating. In addition, some patients won't follow the surgical instructions, which can be frustrating.
What is the major challenge in the operating room?
Clutter/Lack of Space and Inefficient Organization Safety issues are another important problem to tackle in your operating theatre. A high amount of clutter, lack of space, and overall inefficient organization can leave your surgical team and patients at high risk.
How long does it take to clean an operating room?
By following all of the recommended practice steps, a terminal clean will take approximately 40-45 minutes per terminal clean.
What is the greatest hazard in the operating room?
Physical injuries, including cuts, pricks, electrical shocks, burns and falls are some of the most common hazards in operating rooms. A surgical team member could accidentally cut himself with a scalpel during surgery, or he could shock or burn himself using surgical equipment.
What do OR nurses do?
There are several nursing specialties that work with patients who are undergoing surgery. You might hear the term “perioperative nurses” to describe RNs who work with patients before, after or during surgery. These distinct job duties may be combined in the OR nurse job description or they might remain separate specialties, depending on the healthcare facility.
Where do OR nurses work?
Many OR nurses work in hospitals, but these RNs are also needed in locations like cancer centers, traveling operating rooms and surgical centers. These locations come with a few on-the-job differences, but one thing they all have in common is the operating room itself. OR nurses can expect to work in a sterile environment during surgeries. They need to follow best practices to keep equipment and scrubs part of the sterile field for patient safety.
What are some common surgeries OR nurses assist with?
The types of surgeries an OR nurse encounters depends largely on the type of healthcare facility they work at. However, there are several surgeries that are more common than others, according to Stanford Health Care: 1
What skills and qualities do OR nurses need?
Of course there are important technical skills OR nurses need to succeed on the job. This includes general nursing skills, like patient care and case management, as well as more specialized skills like maintaining a sterile field.
How to become a nurse?
The first step for any would-be OR nurse is to first become a nurse by enrolling in nursing school, completing the required clinical training and passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). Some employers will hire OR nurses with a two-year associate of nursing degree (ADN), but many may prefer RNs who have a bachelor ...
What is intra op nursing?
Intra-op nurses are the RNs who are actually inside the operating room during surgery. The Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses (AORN) divides these nurses into three types, each with their own special tasks in the OR:
What is scrub nurse?
Scrub nurses who hand the surgeon necessary tools and supplies. Circulating nurses who monitor the overall environment of the OR and ensure a safe, sterile field. RN first assistants who actively help with surgeries by assisting the surgeon in controlling bleeding and suturing wounds.
What is the role of circulating nurse in surgery?
It is up to the circulating nurse to observe the proceedings with care to ensure the smooth transition of the patient from preoperative to operative and finally to postoperative stages of surgery.
What does a scrub nurse do?
While the operation is taking place, the scrub nurse works with the technician nurse to protect the sterility of the operative field. All the smaller problems such a tear in the surgeon's glove, the patient feeling cold or having to place catheters inside the patient are attended to by the nurse so the surgeon can focus on performing the operation.
What is visible results in nursing?
Unlike in ordinary nursing, where you provide care over a long period of time, OR nursing allows you to see the immediate effects of your care on the patient's health. You have the personal satisfaction of watching a patient under your care respond positively to the treatment.
What is a pre-operative nurse?
In the pre-operative area, the registered nurse, also known as the circulating nurse, interviews the patient to make sure he or she is aware of the medical procedure which is about to take place and has agreed to it fully. If a patient has special health concerns, those are addressed, and the nurse explains the details of the operation to the patient.
What do you need to know about surgery?
You should also be aware of emergency measures during surgery, have knowledge of patient psychology and anatomy, and how to keep the OR free of germs.
What is the first priority of a nurse?
Based on the information received, the nurse will then draw up a diagnosis of the patient's health, and the possible effects the medical procedure will have on them. The patient's safety is the first priority for the medical team.
What is the benefit of being an operating room nurse?
An Operating Room (OR) is in many ways one of the main the nerve centers of the hospital, where the work of providing relief to patients from their ailments is carried out. Nurses are an invaluable part of the OR. Let's look at the duties they carry out within the Operation Room.
Where Do Perioperative Nurses Work?
OR nurses work wherever surgeries either major or minor are performed. This translates to a wide range of settings including in teaching hospitals, ambulatory or outpatient surgical units, children’s hospitals, advanced trauma centers, and even doctors’ offices.
What Does an OR Nurse Do?
OR nurses have a number of responsibilities however they are all focused upon one event: surgery. An OR nurse will assess and coordinate patient care prior to the surgery, they will assist the surgeons throughout the surgery.
Download the App and Get Started Now!
Nursa™ provides you a safe and secure place to store your credentials, and find available per-diem work close to home or across the country in real-time.
Recommended Certifications for the Operating Room
To show hospitals, medical centers, and surgeons your dedication to the specialty, these certifications can boost your professional portfolio on our Nursa™ platform. Some of these certifications aren’t available until after you’ve gained some experience, while others will be a requirement.
Key Characteristics of a Successful Perioperative Nurse
Interacting with clinicians of multiple disciplines engaged in the serious task of performing surgery requires confidence and the ability to communicate clearly even in a high tension atmosphere.
Is OR Nursing Right for You?
Should you be an OR nurse? There are a lot of pros to being an operating room nurse. You have a pretty decent salary ($80,000 per year on average), an awesome team-work atmosphere, and you get to work with several patients each shift!
What is the Operating Room?
The operating room (OR) is an area in which surgical procedures are performed. It typically contains an operating table, plenty of surgical supplies, sterile instruments, and special equipment. The OR is designed to be a negative pressure room (air is pumped out). It also might have special camera and lighting equipment for certain procedures.
What is scrub nurse?
Scrub nurses are RN’s who work with surgeons, residents, and surgical staff to help in sterile operations. Nurses “scrub” into surgery (sterile) and help however needed in the procedure. This can be handing sterile instruments to staff, holding sterile objects or really contributing in any way they can!
What are the responsibilities of an OR nurse?
As an OR nurse there are typically two responsibilities that you might encounter; the circulating nurse and the scrub nurse. We’ll go over both roles and what their jobs are later, but most OR nurses learn both roles. There is also CRNA’s in the operating room, however, they are concerned with the patient’s anesthesia.
How much does an OR nurse make?
However, some OR nurses, such as RN first assistants, can make upwards of $120,000-$130,000 per year.
What does a circulator do?
As a circulator, you might grab supplies, help position the patient, and run samples to the lab. There are a variety of different tasks (pre-, post-, or intra-op) a circulating nurse might perform, however all of which are in the operating room.
What is OR nursing?
OR nursing is a very specialized field that requires a lot of training outside of the typical nursing school classes. There is a lot of information that you need to know to be an efficient operating room nurse. So, OR nurse salaries can vary greatly based on experience as well as travel nursing assignments.
Why Surgery?
Why would anyone want to become an OR nurse? Surgery is a demanding place. It will push you to your physical and mental limits. There will be days when the docs yell at you. There will be times when you drag yourself home so tired you can barely remember your name. Why would anyone put up with this?
How much does an operating room nurse make?
Salary is a good thing to look at if you are wondering about changing your career path. Operating room nurses make more than other nurses. The median salary of a operating room registered nurse in 2018 was $ 88,350. The median salary of a floor nurse was $ 75,510.
Why is OR nursing chosen?
Answer: OR nursing is often chosen because nurses only care for one patient, or maybe the extra money.
How long does it take to get an operating room nurse to work?
Most often you need to be at the hospital and ready to start the procedure within 30 minutes.
Why do people become nurses?
Most people become nurses because of the caring aspect. I put money first because I really want to interest nurses in the operating room. Caring we get to do in any and every setting. But for most it is the first reason we are nurses. It is wonderful to be paid to do what you like to do most in life. :)
What is central sterile?
If you cannot get hired, try to volunteer. Central sterile is where all the surgical instruments are sterilized. Being there will help you to learn the instruments and their uses. The people in central sterile are an excellent resource for this.
What is the most wonderful thing about the operating room?
The ability to focus on one patient at a time is one of the most wonderful things in the operating room. No running between patients, not having enough time for them all. In the OR, people come one at a time. This is a luxury in the nursing world.
What makes a good operating room nurse?
A good operating room nurse should have the same skills and traits as other RNs. Certain skills are even more important than others in this environment, including the following five skills.
What is an OR nurse?
OR nurses are specialized registered nurses (RN) and, depending on the situation, may act as scrub nurses or circulating nurses. Scrub nurses hand surgical instruments to the physician, while circulating nurses oversee nursing care during the procedure and ensure the operatingroom remains sterile. An operating nurse also acts a liaison between ...
How much do operating room nurses make?
Bureau of Labor Statistics doesn’t maintain salary information specific to the surgical nursing field, an operating room nurse’s salary is comparable to standard RNs. While the median annual wage of RNs in May 2017 was $70,000, the increased knowledge and skills required in the operating room usually leads to slightly higher salaries. Any credentials you’ve acquired and your years of experience also affect how much you earn. According to the Mayo Clinic’s College of Medicine and Science, operating room nurses should also see 15 percent job growth between 2016 and 2026.
Why is communication important in the operating room?
Tensions can run high in the operating room, so your ability to effectively communicate with medical team members in a calm, professional demeanor is essential. Your communication skills are also invaluable in easing the fears of patients and their family members. The Nurse Journal also points out the importance of effective communication while educating patients prior to their surgery and going over recovery methods after surgery.
How long does it take to become an operating room nurse?
After obtaining two years of operating room nursing experience, you’re eligible to take the Certified Nurse Operating Room (CNOR) Certification Examination.
What is detail oriented?
Being detail oriented goes hand in hand with being organized. You must know where everything is and monitor everything in the room. This requires you to pay attention to both the overall picture and the smallest details, requiring you to always stay alert to the needs of the patient, equipment and surgical team.
Pre-Operative RN
Nurse's Diagnosis
- Based on the information received, the nurse will then draw up a diagnosis of the patient's health, and the possible effects the medical procedure will have on them. The patient's safety is the first priority for the medical team.
Nurse Technician
- The nurse makes arrangements within the OR for the operation which is to take place. Equipment is moved to a more convenient position. Surgical supplies are kept near the operation table. Special supplies needed for the patient as determined by the nurse's notes are also kept on hand. A nurse might be on hand with the anesthetist to help calm a patient’s nerves before going under.
Scrub Nurse
- While the operation is taking place, the scrub nurse works with the technician nurse to protect the sterility of the operative field. All the smaller problems such a tear in the surgeon's glove, the patient feeling cold, or having to place catheters inside the patient, are all attended to by the nurse so the surgeon can focus on performing the operation. It is up to the circulating nurse to observ…
Benefits
- There are many reasons why nurses look forward to being able to take a shift in the operating room, which include:
Becoming An Or Nurse
- Naturally, the work of an OR nurse can be quite hectic and draining. Not everyone is capable of working in the OR over a long period of time. Here are some of the qualities you need to have to become an OR nurse:
Not Afraid of Blood and Guts
- The OR can be a gory place, and you need to be able to come in contact with the insides of the patient's body every time you enter the OR without feeling sick, nauseous, or being unable to perform your tasks. Are you interested in a future as a registered nurse? If you can see yourself working in an operating room, you might be suited to earning an Associate of Applied Science i…