Job Description for an Operating Room R. N.
Medical operations require the cooperation of a variety of health care professionals before, during and after procedures. Operating room registered nurses, or R.Ns., serve as a part of this team of professionals.
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Function
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Working alongside physicians, operating room R.Ns. track patients' vital signs during operations and supervise the others in the room, including surgical technologists and medical assistants. After a procedure, operating room R.Ns. monitor patients for signs of complications and provide education to patients and their families about the recovery process.
Schedule
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Most elective or pre-scheduled surgeries occur during weekday, daytime hours, but often emergency situations require unexpected operations at other times. Because of this, hospitals often require operating room R.Ns. to work evening, overnight, weekend and holiday shifts.
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Requirements
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Operating room R.Ns. begin their careers by earning two-year associate's degrees, three-year hospital training program diplomas or four-year bachelor's degrees in nursing. After graduation, nurses take a national exam called the NCLEX-RN to receive state-issued licenses to independently treat patients.
Certification
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Some operating room R.Ns. choose to receive voluntary certification through the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses. To receive certification, nurses must work for two years and pass a written examination.
Compensation
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As of January 2010, operating room R.Ns. averaged annual salaries of $68,000, according to Indeed.com.
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