So you've decided to become a nurse. That's great! But have you considered OR Nursing?
Operating room nurses are the surgical world's unsung heroes. They make sure patients get the care they need before, during, and after surgery.
They keep things running smoothly and make sure everything goes according to plan. But what does that really mean? And is it right for you?
The good news is this article will answer all of these questions and more. We'll start with a brief look at what operating room nursing actually entails, so you can decide if it's right for you personally.
Then we'll take an in-depth look at why it's such a rewarding career path—and how to get started with training!
Are you ready? Let’s get started!
What is an Operating Room Nurse?
An operating room nurse (OR nurse) is a registered nurse trained to work in the OR, which is short for “operating room.” As the name suggests, doctors perform surgery in this area of a hospital or surgical center.
Operating room nurses are responsible for providing care to patients before, during, and after their procedures. They may also assist with anesthesia and surgery prep, as well as clean up after surgeries have been completed.
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What Does an Operating Room Nurse Do?
Operating room nurses—or OR nurses, as they're more commonly known—are responsible for the safe and efficient operation of the operating room.
This includes:
Ensuring that all staff members are properly trained.
Providing direct patient care.
Maintaining a clean, organized space.
Preparing equipment and supplies ahead of time.
Monitoring drugs and medications are given to patients before and after surgery.
Liaising closely with other members of the surgery team (including anesthesiologists).
Communicating continuously with surgeons about patient status during operations or procedures.
If this sounds like something you'd be interested in doing every day, then keep reading!
Operating Room Nursing vs. Surgical ICU Nursing
The biggest difference between OR nurses and SICU nurses is their specialization. OR nurses work in operating rooms, where they provide healthcare to patients during surgery. SICU nurses, on the other hand, work in the surgical intensive care unit (SICU).
An OR nurse is responsible for a much more comprehensive range of procedures than an ICU nurse:
They provide primary care to patients before and after surgery; prepare equipment and assist doctors with various surgical procedures; monitor patient vitals, and administer medications as directed by doctors; communicate with family members during surgery; sterilize surgical instruments.
In addition to all this, they must also keep track of the time spent on each procedure so that billing can be done correctly at the end of every shift—and if there's any delay due to unexpected complications or lack of supplies, they're held accountable for ensuring that no one gets billed for more than what was agreed upon beforehand!
OR Nursing Pay
You're probably wondering how much operating room nurses make. It's a fair question and one that'll come up if you're looking at career options. So let's start with the basics:
The average annual salary for an operating room nurse is $88,025, according to ZipRecruiter. The bottom 10% makes $44k or less; the top 10% earns more than $91k per year.
If you live in New York City or Washington D.C., your income will be higher than the national average because salaries are typically higher in dense urban areas where there's a lot more competition for jobs (and, therefore, higher wages).
Nursing is one of the best-paying professions out there—but not everyone can make six figures working as an OR nurse! If this sounds like something you want to do for a living, then go ahead and learn more about becoming an operating room nurse today!
How to Become an Operating Room Nurse?
Now that you’ve read till now, it probably means you are interested in this career. If so, you're not alone. Operating room nurses have one of the most challenging and rewarding jobs in all of nursing.
Becoming an operating room (OR) nurse isn't easy, but it's definitely worth the effort. Here are four steps to take toward your new career as an OR nurse:
Step 1: Obtain a Degree From an Accredited Program
The first and mandatory step but this can be accomplished by earning an associate's, bachelor's, or master's degree in nursing.
The National League for Nursing accredits programs throughout the United States; you can also check with individual schools to ensure they meet your needs and qualifications.
Step 2: Pass the National Boards
Only the degree is not sufficient; in order to become licensed as an operating room nurse, you'll need to pass both the NCLEX-RN (the standard general exam) and the specialized ORN exam.
Step 3: Apply For a Job!
It may seem silly to say, but it is true that many nurses do not pursue this field because they do not know about it—they just don't know how rewarding it is!
If you already have experience working in other areas of healthcare but want something new and exciting, consider this route!
Step 4: Get Certified
The final step is to get certified. Certification requirements vary by state and by the certification body.
Some states require that you pass a national exam with a minimum score to be certified, while others allow employers to set their own standards based on the needs of the hospital or surgery center they work at.
What is the Career Outlook for OR Nursing?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, operating room nurses are expected to grow by 9% in the decade from 2020-2030.
You may think that the biggest advantage of an OR nursing career is its proximity to the action, but it's actually the opportunity for teamwork.
In most other medical settings, you can be a lone wolf—a perfect helper for someone who needs help with their leg or arm or whatever. But in an operating room, there are lots of people working together in close quarters on very small things at once.
It takes a special kind of person who can stay focused while also paying attention to what everyone else is doing and still be relaxed enough to not get stressed out by all this intense activity happening right next to them.
These individuals tend to make great OR nurses because they are able to juggle multiple tasks simultaneously without dropping any balls (or scalpel blades).
Why Should You Choose OR Nursing As Your Profession?
It would be unfair to end the article without telling you the benefits of this field. So, let's discuss a few reasons why you should make this decision.
1. You'll be in demand
There's a shortage of OR nurses across the country, and this means that you'll have plenty of job opportunities if you choose to pursue this field.
2. You'll get to work with a variety of patients
Whether it's an emergency surgery or routine checkup, there are many different types of patients who will pass through your OR gates on any given day—and that's one thing that makes OR nursing such an exciting profession!
3. You can learn from each patient—and every procedure
Each case is different, so no matter how often you see something happen in the operating room, it never gets boring or repetitive. You'll learn something new every single time!
4. It takes responsibility to be an OR nurse
However, being responsible also means getting more autonomy than most other healthcare professionals get within their fields (such as doctors).
In other words: if you like having control over certain aspects of your job without needing permission from higher-ups all the time (like some doctors do), then this could be just what you're looking for!
OR Nursing Skills Set
A successful nurse in an operating room will have many responsibilities and duties to carry out, with several different roles that may be required.
The ability to work under pressure and multitask are crucial skills that must be learned and perfected to excel in this role.
Here are some of the nursing skills you will need:
- Patient assessment (including vital signs)
- Preoperative preparation
- Invasive monitoring (e.g., arterial line)
- Invasive monitoring (e.g., central venous pressure)
- Pain management
- Intravenous therapy (IV) administration (intravenous fluids, blood products, medications)
- Ventilator management
OR Nursing Pros And Cons
Working as an OR nurse can be rewarding and challenging. The pros of this job are that you work with people who are often critically ill, so you get to see them improve over time.
It's also a very physical job since you're standing on your feet all day doing tasks like moving equipment and scrubbing in on surgeries. This is great cardio exercise!
Finally, one of the biggest benefits of being an OR nurse is that your patients' lives depend on your decisions. If someone needs life-saving surgery right now, it's up to you to make sure everything goes as planned so they can live another day—or even longer than that!
On the other hand, there are some cons: long hours (12-hour shifts), lots of stress and pressure when things go wrong or need improvement (which happens more often than not).
Are Operating Room Nurses in Demand?
Operating room nurses are in demand. In fact, they're in such high demand that they're often called upon to work extra shifts or to cover for other nurses who have taken time off.
While this may mean you have more opportunities to choose the schedule that works best for your life outside of work, it also means operating room nurses need to be prepared to work under pressure and do their jobs very well.
They need to be able to multitask quickly and efficiently when many things are happening at once: patients are being prepped for surgery; doctors are performing procedures; equipment is being prepared and cleaned; charts need to be updated every few minutes with new information about each patient's status...the list goes on!
An operating room nurse must always keep track of what needs to be done next (and how long each step will take), so she can keep everything moving smoothly from start to finish.
How to Increase Your Salary as a Surgical Nurse?
You may think that surgical nurses are rolling in the dough, but this is not always the case. Surgical nurses can earn anywhere from $50,000 to $80,000 per year, depending on their specialty and experience.
There are several things you can do to increase your salary as a surgical nurse. Here are some of them:
1. Get more training in nursing
In order to work in any specialty of surgery, you need to complete an accredited surgical nursing program. This will give you the necessary skills and knowledge to be able to perform under pressure and make critical decisions during surgery.
It is also a great way to network with other nurses who have already established themselves in the field.
2. Get certified in advanced cardiac life support (ACLS).
ACLS certification shows hospitals that you have been trained in advanced procedures related to cardiac arrests, such as electric shock and drug injections.
In addition, it shows that you have been trained in advanced resuscitation techniques required for dealing with cardiac arrests. At the same time, they happen, or after they've occurred because of complications during surgery or anesthesia procedures.
3. Ask for a raise or promotion, if appropriate.
If your employer has given raises or promotions based on merit only in the past, and you've done everything asked of you — from taking additional classes to volunteering for extra shifts — then this is probably the best option for increasing your salary as a surgical nurse.
Closing Thoughts!
When you think of a nurse, you probably picture someone wearing scrubs and carrying a stethoscope. But if you want to work in the operating room, you'll be wearing scrubs and carrying a scalpel.
Operating room nurses work on the front lines of surgery, helping surgeons make sure that they have all of the tools they need to perform their procedures safely and effectively. They also provide care for patients before, during, and after surgery.
If this sounds like something you'd like to do, then operating room nursing might be right for you!
FAQs
Is OR Nursing Stressful?
The OR is a high-stress environment, but the nurses who work there are well-trained and accustomed to dealing with stressful situations. In fact, they're used to working in a high-pressure environment, and they know how to handle it.
They also have access to some of the most advanced medical equipment in the world, so they can focus on their jobs without worrying about whether or not they'll be able to handle whatever comes through the door.
Is It Hard To Be An Operating Room Nurse?
No, it's not hard to be an operating room nurse. It can be stressful, but that's because you're dealing with lives in your hands—lives that are depending on you to do everything perfectly.
But if you have the right training and experience, then there's nothing else like it!
Do Operating Room Nurses Make More Money?
Yes! Operating room nurses make more money than other nurses. However, they have to be certified and licensed in order to do so. In addition, they need to take continuing education courses so they stay up-to-date on the latest medical procedures.
What is the Average Age of an Operating Room Nurse?
The average age of an operating room nurse is 44. The median age of the top 25% of all OR nurses is 50, and the median age of the bottom 25% is 42.
How Long Does it Take to Become a Theatre Nurse?
Becoming a theatre nurse takes time and commitment. While some schools offer an accelerated program, this is not the norm; the average student spends between two and four years in school.
Keep in mind that there are many other factors that can affect your timeline, including your ability to pass courses or gain transfer credits, as well as the number of hours per week you are able to dedicate to your studies.
