Perioperative nurse

A perioperative or surgical nurse cares for patients before, during, and after surgery, and other invasive procedures.

Required education

MSN

Average annual salary

$85,000

Payscale.com (Dec. 2025)

PeriOp demand

Perioperative nurses are in demand because of the aging US population and a growing need for surgical procedures.

Varied

Take on different tasks, patients, and situations every day.

Patient-facing

Work hands-on, directly with patients.

Structured

Follow a routine that allows you to anticipate and prepare for every situation.

High demand

This specialty is in high demand in the U.S.

What is the role of a perioperative nurse?

Perioperative nursing—also referred to as operating room (OR) or surgical nursing—specializes in patient care before, during, and after surgical and invasive procedures. Perioperative nursing is a dynamic, team-based, highly rewarding patient-centric career within nursing that is in high demand, offering a variety of development opportunities and career paths. All nurses within this specialty are also Registered Nurses (RNs).

What you’ll do as a perioperative nurse

Assistance

You’ll assist the team, coordinate patient care, monitor vital signs, and manage the equipment during procedures.

Communication

You’ll be the liaison between the surgical team and patient’s’ family.

Education

You’ll teach patients and their families how to care for themselves at home following a procedure.

Preparation

You’ll help get patient physically and emotionally ready for their procedure.

What’s the difference between a perioperative nurse and an operating room (OR) nurse?

Perioperative nurses care for patients throughout the surgical continuum of care from before surgery to during and after surgery. Operating room (OR) nurses are perioperative nurses, but have a specialized role focusing on the surgical phase and assisting the surgeon during surgery.

two perioperative nurses in surgical setting

$85K

How much do perioperative nurses make?

According to Payscale.com, the average annual salary range for perioperative nurses in the U.S. is $64K - 112K.⁶

Source: Payscale.com

Perioperative nurse responsibilities at-a-glance

There are three phases to the perioperative experience: preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative, which begins in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU). Most patients will go through the three phases of the perioperative experience.

Preoperative or pre-op phase:

Pre-op nurses perform pre-operative assessments, help obtain the necessary consents for surgery, answer patient questions, and administer preoperative medications such as antibiotics.
Intraoperative phase
Involves caring for patients from the time the patient enters the operating/procedure room, through the procedure, and until the patient is transferred to the postanesthesia care unit (PACU)
Scrub nurses prepare the operating room for surgery ensuring the necessary equipment is available and ready for use, assisting surgeons in donning sterile surgical attire, setting up the sterile surgical field with drapes, monitoring patient safety, and tracking all equipment used during surgery. Scrub nursing requires technical knowledge of surgical procedures in order to be able to anticipate the needs of the surgical teams.
Circulating nurses will perform a lot of the same surgical preparation duties as a scrub nurse, but will ‘circulate’ between all phases coordinating the many phases of the surgical care continuum: ensuring patients are ready to go to surgery, OR rooms are set up for surgery, bringing additional equipment to active surgeries if needed, providing breaks to staff if a surgery is prolonged, and ensuring beds are available for patientscoming out of surgery.

Postoperative or post-op/PACU phase

Post-op/PACU (post anesthesia care unit) nurses monitor patients as they wake from anesthesia, monitoring vital signs and managing side effects of anesthesia and post-operative pain. PACU nurses also provide patient education for surgical wound care and how to monitor for infections.

perioperative nurse and surgical care team in surgery

What’s the role of a scrub nurse in the OR?

In surgical settings, scrub nurses are responsible for:

Setting up the operating room for the patient
Choosing and managing the instruments for procedures
Ensuring all equipment and tools are sterile and ready to go
Working closely with the surgeon and handing tools to the surgeon during surgery

two nurses in PPE in operating room setting

What’s the role of a circulating nurse in the OR?

In surgical settings, circulating nurses are responsible for:

Managing the overall nursing care in the OR and helping to maintain a safe, comfortable environment
Acting as an advocate for the patient before, during, and after surgery
Conducting “time out”—the last chance for team members to review patient and procedure details and speak up with any concerns

What’s the demand for perioperative nurses?

There is significant demand for perioperative nurses. While there are 539,000 perioperative nurses currently employed in the U.S., that number is expected to grow by more than 6% between 2019-2028.^{2, 3} To help meet this demand schools, employers, and professional organizations are innovating ways to facilitate entry into the field of perioperative nursing, such as AORN’s Introduction to Perioperative Nursing an undergraduate course for nursing students that provides essential knowledge of pre-, intra-, and post-operative practices through the continuum of care for surgical patients. Nursing schools can integrate the course into their curriculum as an introduction to perioperative specialty.

In addition, AORN offers Periop 101: A Core Curriculum™ , designed specifically to onboard RNs entering the perioperative specialty.

Female nurse in full scrubs and face mask marking notes on a clipboard in front of other medical personnel performing surgery

Where you’ll work as a perioperative nurse

Perioperative nurses can be found providing essential care roles in hospital surgical departments, day-surgery units, ambulatory surgery centers, and in clinics or physician offices that perform invasive procedures. Their skills and care are essential pre- and post-op as well as in intraoperative settings.

What special traits does a perioperative nurse need?

A perioperative nurse is a vital member of the surgical team—and is the only one who works with the patient on the surgical journey from beginning to end. Given this scope, perioperative nurses need the following skillsets to perform their duties successfully:

Patience

In your role as a perioperative nurse, you’ll need exceptional patience to navigate the intricacies of patient care and evolving situations.

Flexibility and resiliency

Your resiliency and flexibility will be crucial, as you adapt to the ever-changing demands of the perioperative environment, embracing unforeseen challenges with composure.

Sense of humor

A good sense of humor will not only lighten the atmosphere but also serve as a valuable tool in maintaining a positive and supportive presence for both patients and your care team.

Teamwork and communication

As a key team player and communicator, you’ll collaborate seamlessly with your care team, ensuring effective and coordinated patient care through open and clear communication.

Calmness under pressure

Your ability to remain calm under pressure is paramount, allowing you to make sound decisions and provide steady support in high-stress situations.

Compassion and integrity

Upholding a high degree of integrity is integral to your role, fostering trust with patients, colleagues, and the entire healthcare team.

Multi-tasking

Being a multitasker is second nature, as you skillfully manage various tasks, patients, and situations each day, demonstrating your organizational prowess in the dynamic perioperative setting.

The life of a perioperative nurse

Find out why working in the PACU (Post Anesthesia Care Unit) gives Kristle, MSN, RN, NP, a lot of career satisfaction.

Video still of Kristle Simms in hospital setting

Being able to say, ‘You know Doc, this patient’s going to need something extra. We’re going to have to give them more fluid. We’re going to have to give them some more pain medication.’ Working collaboratively with them makes it all worth it, knowing you did the right thing for that patient.

Kristle, MSN, FNP-C, RN-BC, PACU RN

Nurse Practitioner

How to become a perioperative nurse

If you are interested in becoming a perioperative nurse, like all RNs, you must complete a two-year associate of nursing degree or four-year Bachelor of Science in nursing degree (BSN) from an accredited nursing school program. For many perioperative positions, the BSN has become the minimum educational requirement. RNs who already hold an ADN degree can enroll in RN-to-BSN degree programs to finish their baccalaureate degree in 2 years or less. Individuals with bachelors’ degrees in non-nursing fields can enroll in accelerated BSN degree programs, which prepare them for RN licensure. In addition you must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), and get clinical experience. Because each state sets its own specific licensing regulations, make sure to check with the board of nursing in the state.¹

Get a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

When considering a future nursing career, it’s important to explore the different nursing programs available and the paths they offer. With various options like associate degree programs, bachelor’s degree programs, and direct-entry master’s degree programs, prospective students can choose the educational path that best suits their goals and interests.

Pass the NCLEX-RN and work as a Registered Nurse.

The National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX) is the all-important step between graduating from nursing school and becoming a nurse. It’s a standardized test, set by the Board of Nursing in each state, that makes sure you have the knowledge and skills you need to work in the field of nursing.

Gain experience in Critical Care and taking relevant continuing education courses, such as Discharge Planning and Sterilization.

Get your Master of Science in Nursing (MSN).

A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) offers advanced courses that will help you develop new skills and move into specialized roles.

Get the prescribed amount of experience for your specialty.

You’re ready to work as a perioperative nurse!

Perioperative nurse career resources

Visit the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) website to find out more about the profession or become a member to find support, access tools and professional development opportunities. Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN)