To land your dream job, your operating room nurse resume needs to stand out and effectively showcase your qualifications, experience, and skills.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to create a professional resume, from choosing the right format and structure to highlighting key abilities and experiences.

Whether you’re a seasoned OR nurse or just starting your career, this article will provide actionable tips to make your document shine.

Operating room nurse resume examples

Scrub operating room nurse resume sample

Scrub operating room nurse resume template

Scrub Nurse Resume
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Resume for scrub operating room nurse | Plain text

Sarah Jackson

Phone: (555) 123-4567 | Email: sarah.jackson@email.com | Location: Chicago, IL

Objective:

Detail-oriented and highly skilled Scrub Nurse with 9 years of experience in sterile technique, surgical instrument management, and assisting in a variety of surgical procedures. Committed to maintaining patient safety and providing excellent support to surgical teams in a fast-paced operating room environment.

Professional Experience:

Scrub Nurse

Northwestern Memorial Hospital – Chicago, IL

March 2018 – Present

  • Assist in surgeries, including orthopedic, neurosurgery, and general surgery, by passing instruments and maintaining a sterile field.
  • Prepare and organize surgical instruments, ensuring proper sterilization techniques are followed.
  • Work alongside surgeons to anticipate surgical needs and maintain a smooth flow during procedures.
  • Perform counts of sponges, instruments, and needles to ensure no retained items are left behind.

Surgical Tech

Rush University Medical Center – Chicago, IL

July 2016 – February 2018

  • Prepared operating rooms by sterilizing instruments and setting up necessary supplies before procedures.
  • Assisted in maintaining a sterile field throughout surgeries by ensuring instruments and materials remained uncontaminated.
  • Monitored surgical instruments during procedures, ensuring quick access when needed.
  • Assisted in wound closure and dressing post-surgery under the supervision of the surgeon.

Education:

Associate Degree in Surgical Technology

City College of Chicago, IL

Graduated: May 2016

Certifications:

  • Basic Life Support (BLS) – American Heart Association, Issued: January 2024
  • Infection Control Certification – Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN), Issued: March 2023
  • Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) – National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting, Issued: June 2016

Skills & Competencies:

  • Expertise in sterilization techniques and infection control
  • Skilled in a wide range of surgical instruments for orthopedic, cardiac, and general surgeries
  • Excellent attention to detail in maintaining sterile environments and ensuring surgical safety
  • Ability to anticipate surgeon’s needs and respond quickly in high-pressure situations
  • Strong communication and teamwork skills with the surgical team

Strong sides of this OR nurse resume:

  • Clear, concise bullet points highlight key responsibilities and achievements, making it easy for hiring managers to identify the expertise in surgical support.
  • The inclusion of competencies ensures that the candidate’s technical and soft skills are equally emphasized.
  • Specific certifications and dates (e.g., CST, BLS) provide credibility and indicate the applicant is up-to-date with current industry standards.
How to properly format a resume for an OR nurse?
  • Choose professional, easy-to-read fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman.
  • Keep the size between 10 and 12 points for the body text. For your name, you can go slightly larger (14–16 points).
  • Avoid overly decorative fonts, as they may distract from the content.
  • Your operating room nurse resume should typically be 1 page long if you have less than 10 years of experience.
  • If you have more, a 2-page document is acceptable so all the information is relevant and concise.
  • Use margins between 0.5 to 1 inch on all sides to ensure the page is not too crowded or too sparse.
  • Employ bold or larger font sizes for section headings so they stand out, such as Experience, Education, Skills.
  • Make sure there is plenty of white space between parts to allow the text to breathe.
  • Save your application as a PDF file to preserve the layout across different devices.

By using an online resume helper, you save time and ensure a professional, polished result.

Focus on customizing text to highlight your achievements while letting the online resume template handle spacing, margins, and alignment.

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Circulating OR nurse resume example

Sample circulating operating room nurse resume

James Martinez

Phone: (555) 987-6543 | Email: james.martinez@email.com | Location: Austin, TX

Objective:

Experienced Circulating Nurse with 11 years in managing operating room logistics, patient safety, and intraoperative care. Adept at coordinating surgical teams, handling patient records, and ensuring all surgical equipment and supplies are in place. Passionate about creating a safe and efficient environment for surgeries.

Professional Experience:

Circulating Nurse

Seton Medical Center Austin, TX

January 2017 – Present

  • Coordinate all aspects of the operating room environment, ensuring all necessary surgical tools, supplies, and medications are available.
  • Monitor patients before, during, and after surgery, ensuring their safety and proper preparation for the procedure.
  • Document all aspects of the surgical procedure, including medications, equipment used, and patient reactions.
  • Communicate with surgical team members and support staff to ensure seamless transitions and patient safety.

Operating Room Nurse

St. David’s HealthCare – Austin, TX

March 2014 – December 2016

  • Assisted in preparing patients for surgery by educating them on procedures and ensuring all preoperative requirements were met.
  • Managed the operating room environment, ensuring that instruments and supplies were available and sterile.
  • Monitored patients during surgeries, assisting with equipment and medication administration when needed.
  • Worked with surgical teams to facilitate patient care and ensure safety during operations.

Education:

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

University of Texas at Austin, TX

Graduated: May 2013

Skills:

  • Preoperative patient assessment and preparation
  • Ensuring operating room sterility and readiness
  • Equipment and supply management
  • Patient advocacy during surgery
  • Documentation of surgical procedures and events
  • Coordination with surgical team members

Certifications:

  • Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) – American Heart Association, Issued: January 2024
  • Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR) – Competency & Credentialing Institute, Issued: October 2016
  • Registered Nurse (RN) – Texas Board of Nursing, Issued: June 2013

Additional Training & Workshops:

  • Infection Control in Operating Rooms – AORN, Completed: February 2023
  • Managing Patient Safety in the OR – Texas Nurses Association, Completed: November 2022
  • Preoperative and Postoperative Care – Seton Medical Center Austin, Completed: July 2021

Here are a few reasons why this example of an operating room nurse resume will impress recruiters:

  • The additional training section demonstrates commitment to ongoing professional development and their proactive approach to expanding their skills.
  • A well-organized structure with clear dates and job titles makes it easy to follow the candidate’s career progression.
  • The inclusion of both accomplishments and day-to-day tasks shows practical experience and depth of responsibility in various operating room settings.
Should I choose an operating room nurse resume summary or objective?

Resume summary

  • Best for experienced professionals.
  • Typically 3–5 sentences summarizing your key qualifications, skills, and achievements.
  • It should highlight your value, showcase what you bring to the job, and demonstrate how your experience aligns with the employer’s needs.

Operating room nurse resume summary sample:

Experienced Operating Room Nurse with 6 years of expertise in assisting with complex surgical procedures, maintaining sterile environments, and providing exceptional patient care. Proficient in the use of surgical instruments, patient monitoring, and preoperative/postoperative care. Committed to ensuring patient safety and supporting surgical teams in high-pressure situations.

Resume objective

  • Ideal for entry-level or less experienced nurses.
  • Typically 2–3 sentences, focusing on your career goals and what you hope to achieve.
  • Should convey your eagerness to contribute and grow professionally, even if you lack extensive job history.

Operating room nurse resume objective example:

Motivated and compassionate nursing graduate seeking to apply my clinical skills in a fast-paced operating room setting. Eager to contribute to patient care and expand my expertise in perioperative nursing while working with an experienced surgical team.

First assistant operating room nurse resume sample

First assistant operating room nurse resume template

First Assistant Nurse Resume
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Resume for an operating room nurse | Text version

Michael Evans

Phone: (555) 345-6789 | Email: michael.evans@email.com | Location: Miami, FL

Objective:

Skilled First Assistant Nurse with 11 years of experience in assisting with surgeries across multiple specialties. Expertise in surgical technique, patient positioning, and maintaining sterile conditions. Committed to supporting the surgical team and ensuring positive patient outcomes.

Professional Experience:

First Assistant Nurse

University of Colorado Hospital – Denver, CO

July 2016 – Present

  • Provide hands-on assistance during surgeries, including tissue retraction, suturing, and organ manipulation as directed by the surgeon.
  • Maintain sterile conditions in the operating room while assisting the surgical team with instruments and other supplies.
  • Monitor and assist with patient positioning during surgeries to ensure comfort and safety.
  • Document all surgical procedures, including instruments used, patient status, and actions taken during the operation.

Surgical Assistant

Centura Health – Denver, CO

June 2014 – June 2016

  • Assisted with a wide range of surgeries, including cardiac, orthopedic, and emergency procedures.
  • Provided the surgeon with necessary instruments, handled tissues, and assisted with suturing and wound closure.
  • Managed the surgical room's cleanliness and organized instruments to ensure efficiency.
  • Worked with the team to ensure patient safety and comfort before, during, and after surgery.

Education:

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)

Denver Community College, CO

Graduated: May 2014

Skills:

  • Advanced Knowledge of Surgical Procedures
  • Tissue Handling
  • Suturing and Wound Closure
  • Instrument Handling
  • Emergency Response
  • Teamwork and Collaboration

Certifications:

  • Registered Nurse (RN) – Colorado State Board of Nursing, Issued: June 2014
  • Advanced Surgical Assisting Certification – National Surgical Assistant Association, Issued: September 2016
  • Basic Life Support (BLS) – American Heart Association, Issued: January 2024
  • Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) – American Heart Association, Issued: March 2023

Professional Affiliations:

  • Member – American Association of Surgical Nurses (AASN)
  • Member – National Surgical Assistant Association (NSAA)
  • Member – Colorado Nurses Association (CNA)

This sample OR nurse resume is effective for several reasons:

  • Professional affiliations are included, which provide evidence of the involvement in industry networks and commitment to standards.
  • The clear progression of the career path, moving from Surgical Assistant to First Assistant Nurse, shows growth and increasing responsibility.
  • Emphasis on technical skills and surgical assistance helps the hiring manager quickly understand the candidate's core competencies.
How to showcase your operating room nurse resume skills?

The skills section allows hiring managers to quickly assess your competencies.

  • Hard skills are technical abilities specific to the job, such as operating room procedures or using medical equipment.
  • Soft skills are interpersonal qualities, such as communication and teamwork, which are essential in a high-stakes operating room environment.

Operating room nurse hard skills:

  • Sterilization and infection control
  • Surgical instrument handling
  • Patient monitoring
  • Anesthesia administration
  • Wound care and dressing
  • Postoperative care
  • Surgical site preparation
  • Patient positioning
  • Operating room setup and teardown
  • Emergency response and CPR

Soft skills for an operating room nurse:

  • Communication
  • Team collaboration
  • Attention to detail
  • Problem-solving
  • Critical thinking
  • Adaptability
  • Time management
  • Empathy
  • Stress management
  • Leadership

Anesthesia operating room nurse resume example

Sample anesthesia OR nurse resume

Emily Johnson

Phone: (555) 246-8109 | Email: emily.johnson@email.com | Location: Denver, CO

Objective:

Compassionate and detail-oriented Anesthesia Nurse with 12 years of experience in perioperative anesthesia care. Proficient in managing anesthesia during surgeries and providing post-anesthesia care. Adept at monitoring patients' vital signs and ensuring their safety throughout the surgical process.

Professional Experience:

Anesthesia Nurse

Jackson Memorial Hospital – Miami, FL

March 2016 – Present

  • Administer anesthesia under the supervision of anesthesiologists, tailoring medications and dosages to patient needs.
  • Monitor patients' vital signs throughout the surgical procedure, adjusting anesthesia as required to maintain optimal patient comfort.
  • Prepare anesthesia equipment and medications, ensuring proper sterilization and functionality.
  • Assist in post-anesthesia recovery by monitoring patients and administering pain relief as needed.

Perioperative Nurse

Baptist Health South Florida – Miami, FL

May 2013 – February 2016

  • Assisted with the preparation of patients for anesthesia and surgery, providing education on anesthesia protocols.
  • Monitored patients' vital signs during anesthesia induction and post-surgery recovery.
  • Ensured that anesthesia equipment was functioning properly and medication was administered according to established protocols.
  • Assisted in the recovery room, monitoring patients and ensuring their safety during the transition from anesthesia.

Education:

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Nurse Anesthesia

University of Miami, FL

Graduated: May 2013

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

University of Florida – Gainesville, FL

Graduated: May 2009

Skills:

  • Administration of anesthesia under supervision
  • Patient assessment and monitoring
  • Airway management skills
  • Knowledge of pharmacology of anesthetic agents
  • Emergency response to complications
  • Maintenance of sterile techniques

Certifications:

  • Basic Life Support (BLS) – American Heart Association, Issued: January 2024
  • Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) – American Heart Association, Issued: January 2024
  • Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) – American Association of Anesthetists, Issued: June 2013
  • Registered Nurse (RN) – Florida Board of Nursing, Issued: June 2009

Clinical Research & Publications:

  • "Improving Postoperative Recovery in High-Risk Anesthesia Patients" – Journal of Perioperative Nursing, Published: September 2022
  • "Anesthesia Protocols in High-Volume Surgeries" – Journal of Nurse Anesthesia, Published: April 2021
  • Collaborator – Study on Pain Management and Postoperative Recovery, University of Miami, Completed: 2020

Why is this operating room nurse resume effective?

  • The inclusion of clinical research and publications showcases the expertise beyond hands-on nursing, highlighting contributions to academic and professional communities.
  • The advanced education and certifications (e.g., CRNA, MSN) demonstrate a high level of specialization and make the candidate highly competitive.
  • A strong focus on patient safety and anesthesia administration establishes the applicant as a critical part of the surgical team, ensuring quality care.
What academic credentials should I add to my OR nurse resume?

The education section is essential because it validates your qualifications and ensures you meet the necessary licensing requirements. It should include all relevant diplomas.

Make sure to state:

  • The degree you earned, such as an Associate in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
  • The name of the school or university.
  • The month and year you graduated.
  • Any relevant certifications like BLS (Basic Life Support) or CST (Certified Surgical Technologist).
How to organize the experience section in an operating room nurse resume?
  • Start with your most recent position and work backward. This ensures the employer sees your most current and relevant experience first.
  • For each job, include 4–6 bullet points that detail your key responsibilities and achievements.
  • Focus on quantifiable outcomes when possible, such as improving surgical efficiency or enhancing patient recovery times.
  • Begin each bullet with a strong action verb (e.g., “Assisted,” “Monitored,” “Managed”) to convey your proactive role.
  • Mention the types of surgeries you assisted with, the technologies you used, and the size of the teams you worked with to give context to your experience.

Conclusion

Your operating room nurse resume is your chance to make a strong first impression with potential employers.

By formatting it correctly, including the right sections, and tailoring it to the specific job, you can position yourself as the ideal candidate. Focus on clarity, emphasize your skills, and always back up your experience with quantifiable achievements.

Don’t forget to use tools like AI resume maker to streamline the process and ensure your document is polished, professional, and ready to impress hiring managers.

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