What Every Nursing Student Should Know About Becoming an Operating Room Nurse
Are you a nursing student curious about operating room (OR) nursing, or a new grad wondering if you can land a job in the OR without years of experience? You’re not alone. The OR is one of the most mysterious—and rewarding—nursing specialties, often hidden behind a literal red line.
In this podcast episode of Life After Nursing School, we sat down with Dr. Yasmin Sharifi, better known as the OR RN Mentor. With over 30 years of perioperative nursing experience, Yasmin shared her powerful journey from med-surg burnout to OR leadership—and what she wishes every new nurse knew about this specialty.
Whether you’ve never stepped foot into an OR or you're hoping to transition into perioperative nursing, this conversation is packed with insight, strategy, and support.
Why OR Nursing Is So Different—And Why That’s a Good Thing
Yasmin’s story started on a medical floor in New Jersey, where she felt the initial thrill of nursing. But after a move to California and a return to med-surg, she burned out quickly. Her curiosity led her to answer a newspaper ad for a recovery room nurse, and within days, she was asked: “Do you want to train in the OR?”
That leap of faith changed her life.
What Yasmin discovered—and what many new nurses don’t know—is how different the OR is from traditional bedside nursing. OR nurses are highly technical, deeply involved in surgical procedures, and often the unsung heroes of the perioperative experience.
Unlike most nursing specialties, you won’t be hanging drips or adjusting IVs. Instead, you’ll be setting up sterile fields, prepping complex equipment, coordinating with surgical teams, and protecting patient safety behind the scenes.
The Role of the Circulating Nurse
New nurses often wonder: What exactly does an OR nurse do? While there are scrub techs and surgical assistants, the RN’s primary role is to be the circulating nurse.
As the circulator, you:
Prepare and organize surgical instruments and supplies
Advocate for the patient before, during, and after surgery
Assist with anesthesia and positioning
Document every aspect of the surgical case
Maintain sterile technique and safety checks
Communicate with the surgical team and recovery staff
Each surgical case is different, but the circulating nurse is the common thread—coordinating care, catching mistakes, and keeping things running smoothly.
What It’s Really Like Inside the OR
According to Yasmin, the OR is physically demanding, fast-paced, and unpredictable. You’ll be bending, lifting, standing for long periods, and navigating complex personalities under pressure. But you’ll also be part of a high-functioning team and develop relationships with surgeons in a way that few other specialties allow.
Despite myths that OR nurses “just sit,” the reality is quite the opposite. The OR is hands-on, intense, and never boring.
Orientation, Call Shifts, and Career Progression
If you’re wondering whether you need bedside experience before transitioning into the OR, here’s the good news: You don’t.
Yasmin recommends new nurses enter through a Periop 101 program, a structured six-month orientation combining didactic education with hands-on preceptorship. Most new OR nurses become confident and independent by their one-year mark.
Here’s what you can expect:
6-month Periop 101 training
Continued learning and autonomy-building over the next 6 months
Gradual introduction to call shifts after about a year
Opportunities to specialize in areas like orthopedics, neuro, or trauma—depending on hospital size and structure
Essential Skills for OR Nurses
You might be surprised to learn that the most important skills in OR nursing aren’t clinical—they’re personal and professional.
According to Yasmin, the best OR nurses are:
Organized and calm under pressure
Strong communicators and team players
Able to advocate confidently for their patients
Quick to learn and willing to speak up
While technical skills like aseptic technique and surgical count are important, success in the OR starts with mindset and communication.
How New Grad Nurses Can Break Into the OR
So, what if you’re a nursing student or recent graduate with zero OR experience?
Yasmin offers this advice:
Shadow or intern in an OR if possible
Watch YouTube videos on circulating roles and surgical procedures
Purchase a basic OR nursing book like Alexander’s Care of the Surgical Patient
Join professional organizations like AORN (if affordable)
In your interviews, demonstrate that you’ve taken initiative. Show that you’re serious by mentioning resources you’ve studied or questions you’ve researched. Passion and preparation go a long way.
Preparing for an OR Interview
Yasmin also emphasizes the importance of preparing for your job interview. Her tips include:
Bring a portfolio with your resume, cover letter, and references
Be ready to answer behavioral questions and share real experiences
Ask smart questions that show you’ve thought deeply about the role
One example: "Can you tell me about a time when a new grad was struggling in orientation and how your team supported them?"
Remember, the interview goes both ways. You’re also deciding if the unit is the right fit for you.
Resources for New OR Nurses
Yasmin has created a powerful suite of tools to help new nurses thrive in the OR, including:
Across the Red Line: A guide to the “hidden curriculum” of OR nursing
OR Pharmacology Guide: Quick reference for surgical medications
Consent 101: A breakdown of what you need to know about surgical consents
Interview Question Guide: 15 must-know questions and model answers for OR interviews
You can find all of these at orrnmentor.com or follow Yasmin on Instagram @orrnmentor.
Final Thoughts from Yasmin
If she could go back to her new grad self, Yasmin would say:
“Great choice. There’s so much you can do. Be open, stay curious, and find your passion—it will take you far.”
The operating room may not be for everyone, but for those who feel called to it, it offers a deeply fulfilling path filled with teamwork, technical skill, and the chance to make an impact in high-stakes moments.
So if the red line intrigues you—step closer.
Caroline
PS. Want more on this topic? Listen to Life After Nursing School Podcast Episode 21