How To Write an Operating Room Nurse Resume
Your operating room (OR) nurse resume should demonstrate your ability to partner with surgeons and other personnel during complex, long surgeries. It must also illustrate your calm and professional demeanor in a high-risk health care setting. Keep reading for expert tips to help you create a results-driven resume highlighting the most compelling aspects of your experience within the health care industry.
- Entry-Level
- Mid-career
- Senior-level
1. Write a brief summary of your operating room nurse qualifications
Creating an engaging snapshot of your OR nurse career to showcase your experience and engage the reader. Start by listing your job title, years of experience, and three to four specializations that align with the job posting. In the subsequent sentences, establish yourself as an in-demand professional within your space.
For example, if you helped raise efficiency by introducing best practices for surgery prep, include this achievement directly in your summary. If you are bilingual, note this in your profile because it will position you as an effective communicator in diverse health care environments.
Profile Example #1
Operating Room (OR) Nurse with 5+ years of experience in outpatient orthopedic surgery. Recognized for prompt, diligent support of surgeons and other healthcare team members. Committed to continually gaining and applying new nursing care skills and knowledge.
Profile Example #2
Operating Room (OR) Nurse with 5+ years experience at a major hospital. Strong communicator and collaborator who partners effectively with surgeons and other personnel on frequently long and complex surgeries. Calm, patient, and focused in a high-risk healthcare setting. Bilingual: Fluent in English and Spanish.
2. Outline your operating room nurse experience in a compelling list
To craft a results-driven professional experience section, create bullet points that emphasize your career achievements rather than job responsibilities. Companies are interested in results, and as an OR nurse, you need to demonstrate how you contribute to patient satisfaction, clinical outcomes, and surgical efficiency.
Also, focus on your ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams, such as scrubbing in to assist surgeons and other personnel, and a strong foundation in patient relations.
Professional Experience Example #1
Operating Room (OR) Nurse, HCW Healthcare, Miami, FL | September 2017 to Present
- Scrub in to support and facilitate scheduled procedures such as arthrodesis, shoulder surgery, and hip and knee replacements
- As circulating nurse, ensure all surgical supplies are organized, and medications are properly documented
- Praised for closely monitoring and responding to the specific needs of each orthopedic procedure
- Maintain strict adherence to established processes and sanitary precautions
- Help transport patients into and out of the OR as needed. Courteous meeting with patients to answer any questions before their scheduled surgery
Professional Experience Example #2
Operating Room (OR) Nurse, HPT Hospital, Detroit, MI | September 2017 to Present
- Facilitate surgical procedures, including heart, lung, liver, and kidney transplants
- Scrub in to assist surgeons and other personnel on long, complex surgeries requiring various equipment and supplies
- Helped raise efficiency as member of group that introduced several new best practices for equipment preparation
3. Add operating room nurse education and certifications
In addition to your nursing education, feature any relevant certifications you’ve achieved throughout your health care career. Although most employers will be more interested in your professional experience, obtaining other credentials shows a commitment to continuous learning and career advancement.
For instance, earning a Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) credential from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting demonstrates your advanced skills in assisting with complex medical procedures. A Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR) accreditation from the Competency and Credentialing Institute shows a commitment to upholding high standards in patient safety.
Education
Template
- [Degree Name]
- [School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] | [Graduation Year]
Example
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- University of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA | 2017
Certifications
Template
- [Certification Name], [Awarding Organization], [Completion Year]
Example
- Certified Surgical Technologist (CST), The National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting, 2022
- CNOR Certification, Competency and Credentialing Institute, 2019
4. List key operating room nurse skills and proficiencies
Most organizations rely on some form of applicant tracking system (ATS) to identify qualified candidates for job openings. To get your resume through the initial screening process and into the hiring manager’s hands, incorporate keywords from the job description directly into your profile, professional experience, and skills section. Below, you’ll find a list of key terms and skills you may encounter while applying for OR nurse positions:
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Clinical workflows | Equipment preparation |
| Health status assessment | Medication administration |
| Patient and family relations | Patient-centered care |
| Perioperative support | Process improvement |
| Reporting and documentation | Task prioritization |
| Team collaboration | Treatment preparation |
5. Highlight cross-collaboration and communication skills
OR nurses work with multi-disciplinary teams while also communicating with patients and families. This requires strong interpersonal communication skills and coordination with a range of professionals in and beyond the OR setting. Your resume should emphasize patient and family relations, team collaboration, reporting, and documentation — another important aspect of communication.
6. Demonstrate multi-tasking capabilities and performance in high-pressure environments
OR nurses work in high-pressure environments, scrubbing in during long, complex surgeries. You also might facilitate scheduled procedures. When the pressure’s on, you must perform. Your resume should demonstrate an ability to multi-task and perform in high-risk medical situations.
How To Pick The Best Operating Room Nurse Resume Template
Flashy graphics and colorful graphics might seem appealing, but hiring managers are most interested in how you drive results and deliver value. Prioritize content rather than visuals and look for a template that organizes information effectively.
Operating Room Nurse Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
- Example #1
- Example #2
- Example #3
John Bergsen
123 W Adams Ave, Detroit, MI 12345 | (123) 456-7890 | [email protected]
Profile
Operating Room (OR) Nurse with 5+ years experience at a major hospital. Strong communicator and collaborator who partners effectively with surgeons and other personnel on frequently long and complex surgeries. Calm, patient, and focused in a high-risk healthcare setting. Bilingual: Fluent in English and Spanish.
Professional Experience
Operating Room (OR) Nurse, HPT Hospital, Detroit, MI | September 2017 to Present
- Facilitate surgical procedures, including heart, lung, liver, and kidney transplants
- Scrub in to assist surgeons and other personnel on long, complex surgeries requiring various equipment and supplies
- Helped raise efficiency as member of group that introduced several new best practices for equipment preparation
Registered Nurse, HPT Hospital, Detroit, MI | July 2015 to August 2017
- Gained strong foundation in patient relations and quality nursing care at a medical-surgical unit of this major hospital
Education
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Language
- Fluency in Spanish
Key Skills
- Equipment Preparation
- Health Status Assessment
- Medication Administration
- Perioperative Support
- Process Improvement
- Reporting & Documentation
- Task Prioritization
- Team Collaboration
- Treatment Preparation
Frequently Asked Questions: Operating Room Nurse Resume Examples and Advice
What are common action verbs for data science resumes?-
Action verbs help hiring managers visualize your contributions, but it’s easy to run short on action verbs during the resume-building process. Differentiating your word choice can enhance the quality of your bullet points and eliminate the appearance of redundancy.
Use these action verbs to craft your professional experience section:
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Assist | Circulate |
| Collaborate | Communicate |
| Coordinate | Document |
| Educate | Ensure |
| Facilitate | Implement |
| Monitor | Organize |
| Perform | Prepare |
| Provide | Relay |
| Treat | Update |
How do you align your resume with an operating room nurse job description?-
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for registered nurses (RN) are projected to grow by 6% from 2021 to 2031, faster than average for most occupations. This growth is primarily driven by demand for health care because of our large aging population. Health care positions are in demand across settings, including surgery.
Although these projections are optimistic, you must align your resume with the job description to secure interviews for the most lucrative opportunities. Tailoring your document to individual job postings will significantly increase your chances of landing your next job opportunity.
For example, suppose a hospital is looking for an OR nurse who is fluent in Spanish and English. Highlight your communication and language skills. Or, a job posting might require perioperative support, so if you have this accreditation, be sure to note that in your summary to separate your application from competing candidates.
What is the best operating room nurse resume format?-
Reverse chronological format is ideal for OR nurse resumes. This approach ensures that your most recent and relevant experience is featured at the top of your document. Even at the entry level, it’s best to avoid functional resume formats. If you lack hands-on experience, you’ll be better served highlighting academic experiences, practicums, and even volunteer opportunities that showcase your nursing capabilities and patient-centered nature.
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Crafting a strong cover letter helps your chances of landing an interview during a job search. The key to creating a compelling cover letter is to customize your document for the organization you’re applying to. Read our nursing cover letter guide to learn how. For other related cover letter examples, see our medical assistant and surgical technologist cover letter guides.
