1

Operating Room Nurse Internship Jobs (NOW HIRING)

next page

Showing results 1-20

Operating Room Nurse Internship information

See salary details

$16

$45

$82

How much do operating room nurse internship jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for operating room nurse internship in the United States is $45.47, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $35.82 and $48.80 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an Operating Room Nurse Internship?

An Operating Room Nurse Internship is a specialized training program designed for newly graduated or transitioning nurses to gain hands-on experience in a surgical environment. During the internship, nurses learn essential skills such as sterilization techniques, patient positioning, surgical instrumentation, and how to assist surgeons and anesthesiologists. The program combines classroom learning with supervised clinical practice to prepare nurses for a career in perioperative nursing. Interns work closely with experienced OR nurses and surgical teams to build confidence and competence in the fast-paced operating room setting.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Operating Room Nurse Intern, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Operating Room Nurse Intern, you need a solid understanding of surgical procedures, aseptic technique, and basic patient care, typically acquired through a nursing degree and active RN licensure or candidacy. Familiarity with surgical instruments, patient monitoring systems, and electronic health records is essential, and Basic Life Support (BLS) certification is often required. Attention to detail, teamwork, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for ensuring patient safety and supporting the surgical team. These competencies are vital to maintaining sterile environments, reducing risks during surgeries, and delivering high-quality patient care in a fast-paced setting.

What is the difference between Operating Room Nurse Internship vs Operating Room Nurse?

AspectOperating Room Nurse InternshipOperating Room Nurse
CredentialsTypically enrolled in nursing programs, may have student or trainee statusRegistered Nurse (RN) license required
Work EnvironmentTraining setting, supervised clinical environmentFull professional setting, responsible for patient care
Employer & IndustryHospitals, clinics during training periodHospitals, surgical centers, healthcare facilities
Search & Comparison IntentLearning, training, internship opportunitiesProfessional nursing roles, career advancement

The main difference is that an Operating Room Nurse Internship is a training position for nursing students or trainees gaining hands-on experience, while an Operating Room Nurse is a licensed professional responsible for patient care during surgeries. Internships are temporary and educational, whereas full nurses hold licensure and perform ongoing duties in surgical settings.

What are some common challenges faced by Operating Room Nurse Interns, and how can they be addressed?

Operating Room Nurse Interns often encounter challenges such as adapting to the fast-paced and high-stress environment of the OR, learning to anticipate the needs of surgeons, and mastering strict sterile techniques. To address these, interns benefit from closely observing experienced OR nurses, actively participating in team briefings, and seeking feedback from preceptors. Building strong communication skills and maintaining attention to detail are essential for success. Most programs provide mentorship and structured learning to help interns gradually take on more responsibility with confidence.

What Are Operating Room Nurse Internships?

In an operating room nurse internship, you are a student in a nurse training program operated through your university or a hospital’s nurse training program. In clinical internship positions, you learn the duties, responsibilities, and skills you need to assist during operating room surgeries. Operating room nurse interns learn how to assist surgeons both for emergency and scheduled procedures. Through the program, you learn how to handle and sterilize surgical instruments, set up operating rooms, monitor patient conditions during surgery, and maintain patient records.

What cities are hiring for Operating Room Nurse Internship jobs? Cities with the most Operating Room Nurse Internship job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Operating Room Nurse jobs? The most popular types of Operating Room Nurse jobs are:
What states have the most Operating Room Nurse Internship jobs? States with the most job openings for Operating Room Nurse Internship jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Operating Room Nurse Internship jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Operating Room Nurse Internship jobs are:
Infographic showing various Operating Room Nurse Internship job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 9% Internship, 1% As Needed, 68% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $94,573 per year, or $45.5 per hour.
Operating Room Nurse Internship

Operating Room Nurse Internship

TriStar Hendersonville Medical Center

Hendersonville, TN • On-site

$34.75 - $47.25/hr

Internship

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

Nurse Residency Program Overview

The Nurse Residency Program is designed to equip licensed Registered Nurses who lack prior operating room experience with the necessary skills to thrive in an intra-operative setting. This initiative welcomes both recent graduates and experienced nurses from non-surgical backgrounds. Participants will gain essential foundational skills crucial for ensuring safe patient care within the operating room.

This program is available at various medical centers in the Nashville area, including facilities such as Centennial, Summit, Southern Hills, StoneCrest, Horizon, Skyline, Hendersonville, Greenview, and NorthCrest. All residents will commence the program as a group and participate in classroom instruction together. Clinical hours will be conducted at the specific facility where the intern is employed. For instance, if you are assigned to Skyline, all clinical hours will be completed there. An active nursing license in good standing for the state of your hiring facility (Tennessee or Kentucky) is a prerequisite for program entry.

Clinical Expectations

Throughout the five-month duration of the program, interns will work five 8-hour shifts from Monday to Friday. Any alternative shifts will be determined by the hiring manager after the program concludes. Clinical start times may vary based on your preceptor's schedule. For example, if your preceptor begins their shift at 6:30 AM, you will also be expected to start at that time.

This program is designed to help you cultivate the foundational skills necessary for a perioperative RN. Upon graduation, you will still be considered a novice and will continue to acquire specialized experiences after completing the program. Orientation within your department and service line will further enhance the foundational skills acquired during the internship.

Regular check-ins and progress meetings will be scheduled with course instructors, preceptors, and managers to monitor the resident's development.

Attendance and Time Management

Attendance and punctuality are mandatory during the educational segments of the program. Exceptions for clinical attendance will be evaluated on an individual basis. Missing a day of lecture or simulation is not allowed. For clinical days, please refer to your facility’s attendance policy.

Graduation Criteria

To successfully complete the internship, Nurse Residents must fulfill the following requirements:

  • Complete all course assignments and objective evaluations
  • Achieve a final grade of 75% or higher
  • Professionalism Requirement: Attend at least one Middle Tennessee Chapter AORN meeting

Residents who do not meet these criteria will be required to meet with surgery management, their preceptor, and the education team to create a personalized action plan, which may involve remediation, reassignment, or withdrawal from the program.

Position Details
  • Self-scheduling options will be posted four weeks in advance to provide predictability in your work schedule
  • A culture of mutual respect and collaboration among all surgical staff
  • Ongoing investment in equipment, including surgical instruments and patient positioning tools, to ensure optimal patient safety and workflow efficiency in the Operating Room
  • Regular interactions with unit leaders, including charge nurses, to ensure your suggestions for patient care and surgical workflow improvements are considered
  • On-call duties are required during select non-business hours
Responsibilities in this Role
  • Assess patients prior to surgical procedures
  • Provide education to patients and their families regarding the procedure and peri-operative process
  • Take responsibility for patient preparation, including intravenous therapy, preoperative medications, and surgical site verification
  • Engage in surgical site verification processes, including briefings, time-outs, debriefings, and adherence to universal protocols as per hospital policy
  • Identify and respond to patient emergencies
  • Deliver high-quality, patient-centered care while implementing evidence-based practices and continuous improvement initiatives
  • Act as a vital member of a dynamic interdisciplinary team, which includes providers, surgeons, surgical technologists, and others
  • Consistently apply the nursing process, critical thinking, scientific judgment, technical skills, and leadership to independently provide safe nursing care
  • Monitor patient conditions throughout your shift and document any changes along with the care provided
  • Educate patients and their families/caregivers about the patient's medical condition, treatment options, and follow-up measures
Qualifications Required
  • Basic Cardiac Life Support certification must be obtained within 30 days of starting employment
  • Registered Nurse (RN) license
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Preferred: At least 1 year of RN experience in any specialty
Benefits

Our organization offers a comprehensive rewards package that supports the health, life, career, and retirement of our team members. Available plans and programs include:

  • Comprehensive benefits for medical, prescription drugs, dental, vision, behavioral health, and telemedicine services
  • Wellbeing support, including free counseling and referral services
  • Time away from work programs for paid time off, paid family leave, long- and short-term disability coverage, and leaves of absence
  • Savings and retirement resources, including a 401(k) Plan with a 100% match on 3% to 9% of pay (based on years of service), Employee Stock Purchase Plan, flexible spending accounts, preferred banking partnerships, retirement readiness tools, rollover support, and financial wellbeing counseling
  • Education support through tuition assistance, student loan assistance, certification support, dependent scholarships, and partnerships with educational institutions
  • Additional benefits for fertility and family building, adoption assistance, life insurance, supplemental health protection plans, auto and home insurance, legal counseling, identity theft protection, and consumer discounts

Note: Eligibility for benefits may vary by location.

Our facility has been providing high-quality healthcare for over 40 years and is recognized as the first Accredited Chest Pain Center in the region, as well as a Certified Primary Stroke Center. We also feature a Birth Center with Sumner County’s only Level II NICU services, spacious LDRP suites, and a lactation boutique for both inpatient and outpatient services. Additionally, our facility holds a Gold Seal Certification in Total Hip and Total Knee replacements from The Joint Commission.

“The best hospitals prioritize the patient and their family, and truly exceptional institutions deliver care with warmth, compassion, and dignity.” - Dr. Thomas Frist, Sr., Co-Founder of HCA Healthcare

Join a team that values every stage of your career! We are currently seeking candidates for our Operating Room Nurse Internship. Apply today, and a member of our Talent Acquisition team will reach out to you.

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.