Operating Room Nurse Resume Writing Tips and Sample

Congratulations! You’ve decided to become an operating room (OR) nurse — a rewarding, demanding, and dynamic career. If you want this to be your future, you’ll need a top-notch operating room nurse resume and cover letter to enter this field.

We have some easy-to-follow tips to help you write a compelling resume — one that helps to earn that nursing job interview. As a bonus, we’ve attached a resume sample for your inspiration.

3 Tips to Write a Standout Operating Room Nurse Resume

1. Structure Your Resume Strategically

Think about your resume as a GPS guiding you toward a particular destination — a new job. What are the key characteristics your employer is looking for? Through your resume, guide your prospective employer to the realization that you possess these sought-after qualities.

Start with a catchy operating room nurse objective. Resume objectives provide a great introduction to your qualifications, setting the stage for you to prove your competence as you go along.

Remember, employers take around 7.4 seconds to skim a resume for key details. Structure your resume for a surface-to-depth reading experience. Highlight key sections to provide a snapshot of your skills, inviting the employer to learn more about you.

Main sections to include in your operating room nurse resume:

• Resume summary or objective
• Key qualifications
• Professional experience
• Education
• Skills
• Certifications

2. Quantify Your Experience

Unless you are applying for a novelist position — think numbers, not just words. Quantifiable details matter. Instead of saying, “I am an exceptional nurse,” say, “I have 10 years of nursing experience, including working as a military nurse in the U.S. Army Air Forces.” Provide specifics when describing your past operating room nurse duties and responsibilities: years of experience, promotions, and recognitions. Objective data stands out amid a sea of words.

3. List Specific OR Skills

Highlight essential operating room nurse resume skills to show that you are not just a good nurse — you are a great OR nurse. Review some RN operating room job ads and look for keywords and phrases. Integrate them into your resume. What are the most important skills of an OR nurse in the workplace you are applying to? List them all.

OR nurse resume skills to consider putting in your resume:

• Intraoperative support
• Preoperative assessment
• Postoperative monitoring
• Expertise in aseptic techniques
• Surgical instrument management
• Utilization of advanced surgical equipment
• Management of complex surgical cases

Operating Room Resume Sample

Luke Aaron, RN, CNOR

Broad Street, CA | firstlast@email.com | 444-444-4444

Highly skilled operating room nurse with a decade of experience. Distinguished service in the U.S. Air Force as an aircraft evacuation nurse. Experienced in a hospital-based operating room environment and medical-surgical setting.

Key Qualifications

• Proficient in surgical procedures, aseptic techniques, and operating room protocols.
• Skilled in preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative nursing care.
• Knowledgeable about the latest advancements in surgical technology and equipment, including assistance in robotic surgery.
• Proficient in handling emergencies, as evidenced by previous experience as an aircraft evacuation nurse.

Education

San Francisco University, San Francisco, CA, 20XX

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

GPA: 3.9/4.0

Professional Experience

Reputable Hospital, Operating Room Nurse, 20XX–present

• Provided immediate support during surgical procedures, including passing instruments, maintaining hemostasis, and assisting with wound closure.
• Collaborated with surgical teams to ensure patient safety and optimal outcomes.
• Provided preoperative assessments, postoperative care, and patient education.
• Maintained accurate and detailed patient records, ensuring compliance with healthcare regulations.

U.S. Air Force, Aircraft Evacuation Nurse, 20XX–20XX

• Conducted emergency medical evacuations, ensuring the safe transport of injured personnel.
• Administered advanced life support and critical care interventions during evacuations.
• Trained and mentored nursing staff in aeromedical evacuation procedures.
• Participated in continuous learning initiatives and drills within the military, to ensure peak performance in various emergency scenarios,

Great Hospital, Med-Surg Nurse, 20XX–20XX

• Provided direct patient care to a diverse caseload in the medical-surgical unit, focusing on postoperative care and chronic medical conditions.
• Managed and administered medications, conducted comprehensive assessments and developed care plans.
• Lead the response during cardiac arrest codes, including administering advanced life support measures and documenting the resuscitation events.
• Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to optimize patient outcomes.

Skills

• Preoperative assessment and documentation
• Intraoperative support
• Aseptic techniques and infection control protocols
• Medical equipment operation, such as patient monitors, surgical suction devices, and surgical lights.
• Postoperative monitoring
• Language comprehension: English and Dutch
• Software proficiency: Epic, Cerner, WebPT

Certifications and Licenses

• Basic life support (BLS)
• Advanced cardiovascular life support (ACLS)
• Registered nurse (RN)
• Certified perioperative nurse (CNOR)

Professional Memberships

• Association of perioperative registered nurses (AORN)
• American nurses association (ANA)

Operating Room Nurse Salary

Curious about the typical earnings for operating room nurses? The average salary for an OR nurse in the U.S. is $87,440 per year for an RN.

Your salary will largely depend on your geographic location, experience, and certifications. If you’re up for a move, consider sending your OR nurse resume to one of these top-paying states:

• California
• Hawaii
• Massachusetts
• Oregon
• New Jersey

Ready to Use Your Operating Room Nurse Resume?

Now that you’ve written a top-notch resume, you are ready for the next step — applying for top-notch jobs. Explore our job board to find operating room nurse jobs that match your skills and interests.