How to Become a Surgical Nurse

Prelicensure Nursing Student

GOAL: Career Initiation

More than 140 schools of nursing now include Introduction to Perioperative Nursing as an undergraduate elective. As you prepare for your nursing career, consider the exciting high-touch, high-tech environment of the OR and perioperative suite. Ask your admissions office if your school is one. Read More.

Exploring the role of an operating room nurse

  • Understand the foundation of perioperative nursing concepts and the meaning of professional accountability in nursing
  • Know what "patient-centered care" means to patient and family
  • Become familiar with different clinical surgical settings and roles of responsibilities of surgical team members
  • Study different nursing processes and workflows within each phase of perioperative care
  • Learn about core surgical safety principles and practices for infection prevention, team safety, and teamwork that can be translated into clinical experiences

To work in a perioperative role, you must be a registered nurse (RN). AORN offers the following education and resources for RNs.

  • Student Memberships - Nursing student memberships offer tools and resources to prepare student nurses for a challenging and fulfilling career. Membership includes free access to the AORN Journal and online education that helps develop skills and confidence. 
  • Global Surgical Conference & Expo - Student nurses can attend Global Surgical Conference & Expo for free. Learn more about the conference.
  • The Stitch E-zine - The Stitch is brief, practical, and interactive with polls, videos, and games. It features clinical and professional tips, bite-sized learning and advice—an essential companion for the first few years of perioperative practice. Read The Stitch.
  • Periop 101 - Periop 101 is a comprehensive, blended educational program developed by AORN perioperative nurse experts based on the latest, evidence-based Guidelines for Perioperative Practice. Top US hospitals and ASCs provide this education for their RNs transitioning into the OR as their primary training and onboarding course.
  • Periop Today - Periop Today is AORN’s bi-weekly digital newsletter comprised of perioperative news, announcements, guidelines, professional development opportunities, legislative guidance, and timely updates to our members.
  • The Periop Life - AORN's blog provides an inside look at the people, ideas, and resources that inspire the periop profession.
  • Article - How to Become a Surgical Nurse

Become a Part of the AORN Nursing Community

As a nursing school student, you can have access to a rich library of AORN resources and a community of OR nurses to support you as you choose your specialty.

See Member Benefits Download AORN Mobile App

Find available jobs. Get help with your resume. Read articles & tips.

Behind The Mask

AORN and award-winning filmmaker Carolyn Jones (American Nurse Project) unveil the high-touch, high-tech perioperative world that takes place Behind the Mask and beyond the OR doors. Discover why so many extraordinary professionals choose this specialty: Close collaborative teams. Quality patient connections. Changing lives every day.