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Operating Room Nurse Internship Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Operating Room Nurse Internship information

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$16

$45

$82

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

As of Jun 10, 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 June 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $94,573 per year, or $45.5 per hour.
Graduate Nurse and Registered Nurse Operating Room Internship (Opportunities at Multiple Campuses)

Graduate Nurse and Registered Nurse Operating Room Internship (Opportunities at Multiple Campuses)

St. Luke's University Health Network

Coaldale, PA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 4 days ago


St. Luke's University Health Network rating

7.1

Company rating: 7.1 out of 10

Based on 261 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

371st of 870 rated healthcare providers


Job description

St. Luke's is proud of the skills, experience and compassion of its employees. The employees of St. Luke's are our most valuable asset! Individually and together, our employees are dedicated to satisfying the mission of our organization which is an unwavering commitment to excellence as we care for the sick and injured; educate physicians, nurses and other health care providers; and improve access to care in the communities we serve, regardless of a patient's ability to pay for health care.Nurses are pivotal to providing the care that is needed and demanded in our communities. At St. Luke's, we are proud to be the forerunners of that higher quality standard. Our philosophy and professional practice model are our commitment to safe, compassionate and quality patient centered care. Nursing uniquely leaves a lasting impression on patients and families who rely on these skills.
Here at St. Luke's, PCRAFT values are the guiding core principles of our health care team and the qualities we strive for with every encounter. Pride, caring, respect, accountability, flexibility and teamwork are the qualities our team will deliver every time. As a patient or prospective employee, you can count on every member of the St. Luke's team to display PCRAFT values in every situation.
Perioperative nursing is rewarding in that most patients undergo a procedure that prolongs or improves the quality of their lives. Only in perioperative nursing is the nurse able to care for one patient at a time. If you are interested in working in a fast-paced environment where you are continuously learning, becoming a perioperative nurse could be the right career path for you.

HOSPITAL LOCATIONS- openings may vary by campus availability:

  • Allentown Campus
  • Anderson Campus, Easton, Level 2 Trauma Center
  • Bethlehem Campus, Level 1 Trauma Center
  • Carbon Campus, Lehighton, Level 4 Trauma Center
  • Easton Campus
  • Geisinger St. Luke's Campus, Orwigsburg, Level 4 Trauma Center
  • Miners Campus, Coaldale, Level 4 Trauma Center
  • Monroe Campus, Stroudsburg, Level 4 Trauma Center
  • Sacred Heart Campus, Allentown
  • Upper Bucks Campus, Quakertown, Level 4 Trauma Center
  • Warren Campus, Phillipsburg NJ - to be considered for the Warren campus, please apply here GN/RN Nurse Internships Warren Campus

What St. Luke's Operating Room RN Internship Offers:

  • The Length of the internship program is Full Time competency-based and is tailored to each individual adult learner.
  • Dedicated Education Team
  • Bridging the Preparation to Practice Gap
  • Support Transition from Novice to Advanced Beginner
  • A Progressive Arrangement of Seminars, Workshops, Supervised hands-on trainings, Simulation, and Clinical Observations
  • Clinical Preceptorship
  • Cultivate Leadership, Team Building, & Conflict Management
  • AORN Perioperative 101: A Core Curriculum
  • Oriented to Circulating & Scrub roles
  • 38.9 CEs

Ideal candidates for application to the St. Luke's Operating Room Internship Program are:

  • Nursing Students with prospective Spring/Summer/Winter graduation dates who will be eligible to sit for NCLEX and obtain licensure before start of Internship
  • Experienced RN's that have not worked in the Operating Room setting.

The Operating Room RN Internship is conducted at various sites within the St. Luke's University Health Network and is supervised by the Operating Room Internship coordinator.Upon successful completion of the Operating Room RN Internship Program, the intern will work in a St. Luke's Operating Room Department where he/she will practice caring for patients across their lifespans.

JOB DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Provides nursing care through the nursing process, assesses, plans, implements, coordinates, evaluates and documents the effects of care.
  • Works cooperatively with ancillary, nursing and other patient-team personnel to maintain standards for professional nursing practice.
  • Maintains confidentiality of all materials handled within the Network/ Entity as well as the proper release of information.
  • Demonstrates/models the Network's Service Excellence Standards of Performance in interactions with all customers (internal and external).
  • Complies with Network and departmental policies regarding attendance and dress code.
  • Demonstrates competency in the assessment, range of treatment, knowledge of growth and development and communication appropriate to the age of the patient treated.

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

Maintain current BLS certification.

EDUCATION:

Registered Nurse with current license to practice in the State of Pennsylvania or New Jersey (Warren Campus).

PHYSICAL AND SENSORY REQUIREMENTS:

Sit up to 2 hours per day; 1 hour at a time. Stand for up to 10 hours per day; 8 hours at a time. Walk 6 hours per day; 10 minutes at a time. Consistently lift, carry and push objects up to 10 lbs. Occasionally lift, carry and push objects up to 75 lbs. Transports patients weighing up to 500 lbs. via wheelchair, bed and/or stretcher. Frequently stoop and bend. Frequently reach above should level. Must be able to perceive attributes of an object through touch. Must be able to hear as it relates to normal conversation and high and low frequencies. Must be able to see as it relates to general, near, far, color and peripheral vision.

Please complete your application using your full legal name andcurrent home address. Be sure toincludeemployment history forthe past seven (7) years, including your present employer. Additionally, you areencouraged to upload a current resume, including all work history, education, and/or certifications andlicenses, if applicable. It is highly recommended that you create a profile at the conclusion of submitting your first application. Thank you for your interest in St. Luke's!!

St. Luke's University Health Network is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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