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OR NURSE

CAREER INFORMATION

Meet Emery!

Hi! I am Emery Kaya, an RN in the operating room. I was born and raised on Maui and I graduated from Maui High School. I obtained my nursing degree from Maui Community College before the school became University of Hawaii, Maui College. I grew up watching my dad build houses and enjoyed the gratification of seeing a project completed. I played sports all my life and have always loved being part of a team. I wasn't sure what kind of nurse I wanted to become, but when I was 20 years old I shadowed an OR nurse and I knew that was it for me. I get to be part of an amazing team and have the gratification of completing surgeries that can drastically improve patient's lives. I haven't looked back since.

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RESPONSIBILITIES
What do they do?
What equipment do 
they use?

  • Specializes in care before, during, and after surgery

  • Working with patients prior to surgery to complete paperwork, and help answer questions or calm fears about surgery

  • Monitoring a patient’s condition during and after surgery

  • Selecting and passing instruments and supplies to the surgeon during operation (sometimes referred to as a scrub nurse)

  • Managing the overall nursing care in the operating room to help maintain a safe and comfortable environment (sometimes referred to as a circulating nurse)

  • Educating patients on best practices for recovery, including pain management and keeping wounds clean

  • Cleaning surgical equipment and operating rooms to maintain a sterile environment

  • Oxygen concentrators

  • Suction machine

  • Sterilizer machine

  • Operation table

  • Stethoscope

  • Vital signs monitor

  • Personal protective equipment (PPE) Ex. surgical gloves, caps, masks

  • *Handle necessary surgical tools dependent on case

Procedures they scrub-in on

  • Minor lumpectomy

  • Meniscus repair

  • Procedures that involve extremities.

  • Robotic surgeries such as robotic-assisted laparoscopic cholecystectomy

  • Breast biopsies

  • Arthroscopies (looking into a joint with a camera),

  • Total joint replacements (example: some total knee replacements can be done as an outpatient procedure), 

  • Urology procedures

EDUCATION
Education Guide

To become an OR Nurs, first get a nursing degree. Then, pass the licensure examination. Lastly, gain experience and attain certification.

STEP 1

Nursing Degree.

Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN) - bare minimum

  • 2 year program

    • ​May have to complete BSN program anyway (depends on employer)

OR

Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree (BSN)

  • 4 years at a university (nursing program)

  • Complete all nursing prerequisites

STEP 2

Pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN).

National Council Licensure Examination

  • Allows the nurse to start practicing legally in their state

  • May choose to take additional certifications for further specialization

STEP 3

Gain experience.

  • Most employers prefer one year of acute care before starting work in the operating room

STEP 4

Certification

Certification

  • Completing a preoperative nurse certification program

  • Take the Certified Preoperative Nurse Exam to become a certified OR Nurse

    • Eligible to take the exam after working for 2 years​

What opportunities are in Hawaiʻi?

University of Hawaii at Manoa

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Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program (RN to BSN)

  • 2 years

Kapiolani Community College

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Associate Degree in Nursing Program (ADN)

  • 2 years

Licensed Practical Nurse to Registered Nurse Program (LPN to RN)

  • 2 years

Chaminade University

Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program (BSN)

  • 4 years

Bachelor of Science in Nursing Accelerated Program (BSN)

  • 20 months

General Courses

  • Biology

  • Physiology

  • Anatomy

  • Microbiology

  • Pharmacology

  • Ethics

  • Psychology

University of Hawaii - Hilo

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Hawaiʻi High-School Direct Entry into Nursing (HSDE)

Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program (RN to BSN)

  • 2 years

Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program (BSN)

  • 4 years

Doctor of Nursing Program (DNP)

  • 3-5 years

Hawaii Pacific University

Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program (BSN)

  • 4 years

Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program (RN to BSN)

  • 2 years

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

  • 2 years (after undergraduate schooling)

University of Hawaii - Maui College

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Associate of Science in Nursing Program (ASN)

  • 2 years

Registered Nurse Program

  • 2 years

Licensed Practical Nurse to Registered Nurse Program (LPN to RN)

  • 1 year

CAREERS
CAREERS

Work Environments

  • Hospitals

  • Operating Rooms

  • Clinics

  • Outpatient Centers

  • Private Practices

Work Schedule

  • Most work full time 

  • Some may work nights, weekends, and/or holidays

  • Long working hours

  • Standing for long periods of time

  • May be on-call

Salary

*Median annual wage as of 2023*

(from US Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Select the images in the collage for full view.

SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics​

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