RN Operating Room Jobs Overview
Each year in the United States, 40 to 50 million major surgeries are performed, making the operating room (OR) a busy place for clinicians. If you’re looking for RN operating room jobs, we can help you find full-time, part-time, contract, temporary, and per diem opportunities that meet your requirements. You can also explore related roles such as ER RN jobs and ICU RN jobs.
Operating Room RN Education and Certifications
The steps to become an operating room RN start with earning your nursing degree — either an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) — from an accredited program. Upon completion, you can sit for the NCLEX-RN exam. A passing score means you can apply to your state board of nursing for your RN license. You may be able to pursue a new grad residence in the OR, or, if you have prior acute care nursing experience, a training program in the OR may be available.
In addition, you may want to obtain certifications for certain OR RN jobs, such as:
- Basic Life Support (BLS)
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
- Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse (CAPA)
- Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse (CMSRN)
- Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR)
- Medical-surgical nursing certification (MEDSURG-BC)
For more information on what this role may require, check out our sample job description for an OR RN.
Operating Room RN Resume and Cover Letter
Before you begin applying to positions, update your operating room nurse resume according to the keywords and phrases you see emphasized in a particular job ad. For example, if an employer is looking for an RN who displays “critical thinking skills and the ability to do their job with minimal supervision,” use that phrase in your resume.
Then, use your OR nurse cover letter to tell a story where these particular nursing skills were put to the test. This strategy gives an employer a clear indication of the type of value you could bring to their team.
Interviewing for RN OR Jobs
Performing well in an interview is one sure-fire way to stand apart from other candidates. This requires some advance planning. Give yourself enough time to review our common operating room nurse interview questions and answers, and practice your own thoughtful responses. Displaying calm under pressure is a great quality to have when you’re interviewing for operating room RN jobs.
Salary for OR RN Jobs
The average salary for an operating room RN is around $87,440 per year. Your salary can be affected by your level of education, years of experience, location, and facility type. The following states have some of the highest salaries for RNs:
Take a look at the available positions on IntelyCare to get a better idea of RN operating room jobs’ salary expectations in your area.
Explore RN Operating Room Jobs on IntelyCare
You can find great jobs in the OR and other critical care areas on IntelyCare. Want even more options? Review all the latest RN jobs available now, and start applying today.