Introduction: Nurses working in operating rooms (ORs) support doctors during procedures. Working in a fast-paced atmosphere and possessing proficient communication skills are prerequisites for this profession. You can decide whether to pursue an OR nursing career by learning about the educational requirements and pay information.
In a hospital, clinic, or surgery centre, operating room nurses, or OR nurses, provide care in the operating room. “Operating Room” is a catch-all for these surgical specialisation nurses. Surgical or perioperative nurses are other names for OR nurses. These nurses provide preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative care for patients. They may oversee a patient’s treatment plan and communicate with the patient’s family. They might assist a surgeon immediately during a procedure or work more covertly, setting up a sterile environment. In everything they do, specific abilities are required.
What does an OR nurse do?
Before, during, and after surgical procedures, an OR nurse provides support to surgeons. Emergency transportation services, hospitals, clinics, and outpatient institutions frequently employ nurses. The positions are also known as perioperative, surgical, and scrub nurse. Three categories exist for OR nurses.
- Preoperative OR nurse: Preoperative OR nurses help patients prepare for surgery by addressing any concerns and discussing the process with their families. In addition, they finish paperwork, give IV fluids, and monitor patients’ vital signs to ensure they’re ready for surgery.
- Intraoperative Registered Nurse: Intraoperative OR nurses support surgeons throughout operations in the operating room and make sure all required staff and equipment are on hand before the surgery. OR nurses help the surgeon do surgery by helping keep the area clean or coordinating with family members and outside medical teams.
- OR nurse following surgery: The immediate postoperative care of patients falls under the purview of postoperative OR nurses. They monitor recuperating patients, take their vital signs, and inform relatives of their condition.
What are the duties of operating nurses?
Operating room nurses may have varying responsibilities and skill sets depending on the medical facility where they are employed. In general, operating room nurses help operating surgeons and tend to surgical patients.
This can involve providing instruments for the surgeon to use during an operation and teaching the patient about their ailment or the surgery. During a regular workday, an operating room nurse oversees the following tasks:
- Organise and sterilise surgical instruments.
- Get the operating room ready for the procedure.
- Speak with the medical personnel
- Inform the patient about the procedure and aftercare.
- Give a patient’s family updates
- Give intravenous therapy.
- Assist and console surgical patients
- Track the postoperative healing of the patient
Why work as an operating room nurse?
It’s crucial to evaluate your traits and abilities to see if they match those of a successful nurse before working as an operating room nurse. Nursing might not be for you if you value a relaxed work atmosphere or a career that emphasises artistic expression. You might succeed as an operating room nurse if you want to help others and like being active. Consider becoming an operating room nurse for the following reasons:
- Acquire benefits as an employee: As an operating room nurse, your pay may vary greatly depending on where you work. These may include various benefits or insurance to help you and your family. Among the advantages that operating room nurses may experience are:
- Paid time off
- Child support
- Health insurance
- Dental and vision coverage.
- Reimbursement of tuition
- Opportunities for learning
- Payment for certification
2)Make a respectable living
An operating room nurse’s pay may vary depending on their level of expertise and productivity. On average, a registered operating room nurse makes $98,002 a year nationwide. The amount you make as an operating room nurse can also depend on other elements, such as where you work.
3)Assist those in need: Nurses who work in operating rooms have the chance to assist people in need. In this role, you can console and support patients who might be anxious about their surgery on an emotional level. Additionally, you can teach them how to take care of themselves after the treatment and educate them about it.
4)See results immediately: Compared to other nursing specialities, operating room nursing frequently yields instant outcomes. While operating room nurses witness an immediate impact on their patients, other nursing specialities typically concentrate on long-term success and improvement. For instance, if you operate on a patient in critical condition to correct the issue, the patient may stabilise by the time the procedure is over.
5) Use your versatile abilities: As an operating room nurse, you acquire various practical abilities. This can involve having outstanding problem-solving, communication, and adaptation skills. You can use these abilities to boost your performance if you decide to go into other fields after nursing. Becoming a nurse gives you frequently valuable abilities for various spheres of your life. For example, having patience might be helpful when handling a household or standing in a queue.
6) Commit to regular learning: Operating room nurses commit to continuous learning to advance their knowledge of new techniques and skill sets. Because the medical sector is constantly changing, operating room nurses must participate in ongoing education programmes. Being an operating room nurse may be advantageous if you appreciate learning new things and expanding your expertise.
How to work as an emergency room nurse: To become an OR nurse, think about doing the following steps:
- Obtain an associate’s degree: Gaining an associate’s degree will help you become more knowledgeable about the medical industry. Additionally, it may make you eligible for jobs as a nursing assistant, which may help you obtain experience that will help you become a scrub nurse. Once an associate degree in nursing (ADN) has been earned, candidates for nursing positions can also sit for the NCLEX-RN exam to become registered nurses.
- Finish your extra education: You can finish a four-year nursing degree before earning speciality credentials that will allow you to work as an OR nurse. You can sit for the NCLEX-RN exam with a bachelor’s degree, but if you want to go further in your profession, you can also get a master’s or PhD.
- Take the test for NCLEX-RN: If you pass this test, provided by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), you can obtain a registered nurse certification. It shows that you can interact with patients and support medical procedures. According to your employer, you might need to pass the NCLEX before you can work as an OR nurse.
- Engage in RN work: Following your NCLEX-RN pass and registration as a registered nurse, you can start working as an RN in an operating room, critical care unit, or emergency department. You can pick up valuable skills in these settings that will aid you when interacting with surgical teams and patients. With your expertise, you may be ready for a more senior role as an OR nurse.
- Obtain the necessary certificates: Prospective OR nurses might improve their employability by obtaining qualifications after receiving relevant field experience. The Certified Nurse Operating Room (CNOR) accreditation is a well-liked certification. You must pass a test and have at least two years of relevant job experience.
Conclusion – Operating room nursing offers a dynamic and fulfilling career path for those who thrive in fast-paced environments and are dedicated to providing exceptional patient care. From preoperative preparation to postoperative recovery, OR nurses play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and well-being of surgical patients. Operating room nursing represents not only a profession but a calling—one that empowers individuals to make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients and their families, one surgery at a time.
ND Global plays a pivotal role in assisting healthcare facilities in hiring qualified operating room (OR) nurses who possess the necessary skills and expertise to excel in their roles. Here’s how ND Global helps:
- Recruitment Services: ND Global leverages its extensive network and resources to identify and recruit top-tier OR nursing candidates. Through targeted recruitment campaigns, including job postings, online advertising, and networking events, ND Global attracts qualified professionals who meet the specific requirements of healthcare organizations.
- Candidate Screening and Selection: ND Global’s experienced recruitment team conducts thorough screenings and assessments to evaluate candidates’ qualifications, experience, and cultural fit. By conducting in-depth interviews and reference checks, ND Global ensures that only the most suitable candidates are presented to healthcare facilities for consideration.
- Credential Verification: ND Global verifies candidates’ credentials, licenses, and certifications to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and industry standards. This helps healthcare organizations mitigate risks associated with hiring unqualified or unlicensed personnel.
- Customized Staffing Solutions: ND Global offers flexible staffing solutions tailored to the unique needs of healthcare facilities. Whether organizations require permanent placements, temporary staffing, or contract-to-hire arrangements, ND Global provides customized staffing solutions to meet their workforce needs.
- Onboarding Support: ND Global provides comprehensive onboarding support to facilitate a smooth transition for newly hired OR nurses. From orientation programs to ongoing training and development opportunities, ND Global ensures that nurses are well-prepared to excel in their roles and contribute effectively to patient care.
- Retention Strategies: ND Global assists healthcare organizations in implementing retention strategies to promote employee engagement and satisfaction among OR nursing staff. By fostering a supportive work environment, offering competitive compensation and benefits, and providing opportunities for career advancement, ND Global helps healthcare facilities retain top talent and reduce turnover rates.
In summary, ND Global serves as a strategic partner for healthcare organizations seeking to recruit, hire, and retain qualified OR nurses. By leveraging its expertise in recruitment and staffing, ND Global helps healthcare facilities build high-performing OR nursing teams that deliver exceptional patient care.