Perioperative Nurse Residency Program
A recent survey by the Association of Operating Room Nurses (AORN) revealed that nurses with CNOR certification earn $1700 more per year than their uncertified counterparts. That’s a significant amount of extra income that can be made without having to work overtime or pick up additional on-call shifts.
The perioperative nurse residency program helps new nurses develop the necessary skills for their specific roles and responsibilities in the operating room. Nurses who complete this program, which is offered through AUMC’s nursing department, are eligible for the RN OR Nurse Fellowship, a six-month internship in which they receive hands-on training and mentorship in the OR.
To be a certified perioperative nurse, you’ll need to pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) and obtain a license through your state’s nursing regulatory agency. Applicants must also have two years of full-time experience, which can be gained through job experience or by enrolling in a BSN or MSN program that offers perioperative nursing courses. The CNOR exam is a timed, computer-based test that contains 185 questions.
Perioperative Nurse Questions and Answers
Perioperative nursing, commonly known as operating room nursing, is a subset of nursing that focuses on caring for patients before, during, and after surgical procedures.
A perioperative registered nurse’s every day duties include the following:
- Assisting patients with completing surgical paperwork, answering their concerns, explaining what will happen in the operating room, and reducing their fears prior to surgery.
- Monitoring the condition of the patient during and after surgery.
- Managing nursing care in the operation room in order to keep the atmosphere safe and comfortable.
- Cleaning and sterilizing surgical instruments and the operation room.
- Educating patients on optimum recovery procedures, such as wound care and pain treatment alternatives and routines.
Ways to Become a Perioperative Nurse:
- Earn an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree from an accredited program.
- To obtain RN licensing, you must pass the NCLEX.
- Develop your skills as a registered nurse.
- Consider training to become a certified perioperative nurse.
2025 Perioperative Nurses Week was November 13, 2025 – November 19, 2025
The 3 phases of perioperative nursing are:
- Preoperative Phase: In this phase, perioperative nurses prepare patients for surgery. They evaluate the patient’s health, study the patient’s medical history, perform physical examinations, and verify that all preoperative tests and procedures are completed. They also provide patients and their families with education and emotional support, outlining what to expect during and after surgery.
- Intraoperative Phase: During the surgery, perioperative nurses assist the surgical team by ensuring that the operating room is properly set up, sterilized, and equipped with the necessary instruments and supplies. They assist with patient positioning, vital sign monitoring, drug preparation and administration, and surgical operations as needed. Perioperative nurses are in charge of keeping the operating room clean.
- Postoperative Phase: After the surgery, perioperative nurses continue to care for the patient in the recovery room or post-anesthesia care unit (PACU). They closely monitor the patient’s vital signs, assess for any complications or adverse reactions
Perioperative care is a vast specialty that encompasses a wide range of elective and emergency operations for a diverse population.
The three greatest reasons for choosing perioperative nursing were, being able to help patients, being useful to others and wanting to work in a typical patient care units to be responsible for numerous patients.
Perioperative Nurse salaries in the United States range from $56,780 to $82,241 per year.
Perioperative Nurses earn $36.49 per hour on average.
No, they are not considered as critical care nurses.
The duties of a perioperative nurse can be physically and emotionally demanding, which can lead to feelings of burnout or exhaustion.
Being an effective perioperative nurse requires a variety of skills. Here are some key characteristics:
- Knowledge and Expertise: A qualified perioperative nurse has a thorough understanding of surgical processes, anatomy, and physiology. They stay current on the most recent advances and evidence-based practices in perioperative nursing. This allows them to deliver safe and effective care, foresee potential complications, and respond effectively in life-threatening situations.
- Compassion and empathy: For patients, surgical procedures can be unpleasant and daunting. Patients and their families are shown compassion and understanding by good perioperative nurses, who recognize their anxieties and concerns.
Here are several important legal aspects to consider.
- Scope of Practice: Perioperative nurses must work within their defined scope of practice as determined by their nursing license and applicable laws and regulations. They should be aware of the exact activities for which they are permitted, as well as any limitations or restrictions.
- Patient Confidentiality and Privacy: Perioperative nurses have a legal and ethical commitment to ensure patient privacy and confidentiality. They must follow privacy laws such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the United States, which governs the use and disclosure of protected health information. Nurses should only communicate patient information with those who are directly involved in the patient’s care, and they should adhere to established rules for managing and securing patient records.
To become a perioperative nurse in Australia, you must:
- Obtain a Nursing Degree: Start by completing a Bachelor of Nursing degree from an accredited educational institution in Australia. This program typically takes three years of full-time study. Ensure that the program is recognized by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA).
- Register as a Nurse: After completing your nursing degree, you need to apply for registration as a nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA). The registration process includes meeting certain eligibility criteria, submitting an application, and providing supporting documents, such as proof of identity, education qualifications, and criminal history checks. Once your application is approved, you will be issued a registration as a nurse.
- Gain Clinical Experience: Begin working as a registered nurse in a healthcare setting, preferably in an area that provides exposure to surgical or perioperative care. This experience will help you develop foundational nursing skills and gain an understanding of patient care in various settings.
- Pursue Perioperative Nursing Education: To specialize in perioperative nursing, you can undertake postgraduate education in perioperative nursing. Several universities and educational institutions in Australia offer postgraduate courses or graduate certificates in perioperative nursing. These programs provide specialized knowledge and skills specific to perioperative care.
- Obtain Relevant Certification: While certification is not mandatory, obtaining the Perioperative Nursing Certification through the Australian College of Perioperative Nurses (ACORN) is highly regarded in the field. The certification demonstrates your advanced knowledge and competency as a perioperative nurse.
- Seek Employment in Perioperative Settings: Once you have completed the necessary education and obtained relevant certifications, you can start applying for perioperative nursing positions in hospitals, day surgery centers, and other surgical facilities.