Operating Room Nursing Career Resources

As surgical care advances, so does the scope of nurses’ responsibilities. O.R. nurses are now referred to as Perioperative Registered Nurses to more accurately reflect their duties immediately before, during, and after surgery.

Perioperative registered nurses are relied upon for their professional judgment and critical thinking skills. They may work closely with the surgical patient, family members, and other health care professionals. They help plan, implement, and evaluate treatment of the patient.

Perioperative registered nurses provide surgical patient care by assessing, planning, and implementing the nursing care patients receive before, during and after surgery. These activities include patient assessment, creating and maintaining a sterile and safe surgical environment, pre- and post-operative patient education, monitoring the patient’s physical and emotional well-being, and integrating and coordinating patient care throughout the surgical care continuum.