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Per Diem Operating Room Rn Jobs in New Jersey (NOW HIRING)

Operating Room Nurse

Toms River, NJ · On-site

$49 - $53/hr

Operating Room Registered Nurse (OR RN) Toms River Surgery Center is hiring a per diem Operating Room Nurse! At Toms River Surgery Center, we believe health and care are inseparable. We focus on ...

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Per Diem Operating Room Rn information

What is a per diem operating room RN?

Per Diem Operating Room Registered Nurses (RNs) are nurses who work in surgical settings on an as-needed basis, rather than as full-time or part-time staff. They provide care before, during, and after surgical procedures, filling in for staff shortages or during busy periods. Per diem RNs have flexible schedules, often choosing when and where they work, but they must be able to quickly adapt to different teams and hospital protocols. Their responsibilities include preparing patients for surgery, assisting surgeons, managing surgical instruments, and monitoring patient recovery.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a per diem operating room RN?

To thrive as a Per Diem Operating Room RN, you need strong knowledge of perioperative nursing, sterile techniques, and patient safety protocols, usually supported by an active RN license and experience in surgical settings. Familiarity with surgical instruments, electronic documentation systems, and certifications like Basic Life Support (BLS) or Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) are typically required. Excellent communication, quick adaptability, and teamwork skills are crucial for efficiently assisting surgeons and supporting patients in a fast-paced environment. These skills ensure safe, effective surgical care and seamless integration into various OR teams on short notice.

What are some unique challenges per diem operating room RNs commonly face, and how can they prepare for them?

Per Diem Operating Room RNs often need to quickly adapt to different surgical teams, procedures, and hospital protocols since they may work in various facilities or shifts. This flexibility can be challenging, as it requires strong communication skills, an ability to learn new workflows rapidly, and confidence in handling unfamiliar situations. To prepare, it's helpful to stay current with the latest surgical best practices, proactively review facility-specific guidelines before shifts, and build rapport with new team members to ensure smooth collaboration in the OR.

What is the difference between Per Diem Operating Room Rn vs Per Diem Surgical Nurse?

AspectPer Diem Operating Room RnPer Diem Surgical Nurse
CredentialsRN license, OR certification (if applicable)RN license, OR experience
Work EnvironmentOperating rooms in hospitals or surgical centersOperating rooms, clinics, or outpatient facilities
Employer & IndustryHospitals, surgical centers

Both roles require RN licensure and OR experience, working primarily in surgical environments. The terms are often used interchangeably, but 'Per Diem Operating Room Rn' emphasizes the per diem scheduling in OR settings, while 'Per Diem Surgical Nurse' may be a broader term including various surgical roles. Overall, they share similar credentials and work environments, with slight variations in job titles used by employers.

Infographic showing various Per Diem Operating Room Rn job openings in New Jersey as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 2% Temporary, 4% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution.

Registered Nurse (Per Diem Evening RN) Operating Room

Elizabeth, NJ • On-site

RWJBarnabas Health
Hospitals • 10K+ employees

$48.29 - $67.04/hr

Other

Posted 4 days ago


RWJBarnabas Health rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 332 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description


Registered Nurse (Per Diem Evening RN) Operating Room
Req #: 0000263247
Category: Nurses
Status: Per Diem
Shift: Evening
Facility: Trinitas Regional Medical Center
Department: Operating Room
Pay Range: $48.29 - $67.04 per hour
Location:
225 Williamson Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07202

Job Title: PD RN

Location: WILLIAMSON STREET

Department Name: Operating Room

Req #: 0000263247

Status: Hourly

Shift: Evening

Pay Range: $48.29 - $67.04 per hour

Pay Transparency:

The above reflects the anticipated hourly wage range for this position if hired to work in New Jersey.

The compensation offered to the candidate selected for the position will depend on several factors, including the candidate's educational background, skills and professional experience.

At RWJBarnabas Health, our Operating Room Registered Nurses play an essential role in creating a safe, coordinated, and patient-centered surgical experience. As a Per Diem Operating Room RN, you'll provide specialized perioperative nursing care before, during, and after surgical procedures while working closely with surgeons and an experienced multidisciplinary team. Whether supporting the surgical team as a circulating or scrub nurse, you'll combine strong clinical judgment, technical expertise, and attention to detail to protect patient safety and keep each procedure moving efficiently. This is an opportunity to bring your perioperative skills to a collaborative environment where safety, teamwork, and clinical excellence are central to every surgical experience.

As a Per Diem Operating Room Registered Nurse (RN), a typical day may include:
  • Assessing patients' physiological and emotional needs and developing individualized nursing plans to support safe perioperative care

  • Providing circulating and scrub nursing support during surgical procedures while anticipating the needs of surgeons and other members of the surgical team

  • Preparing the Operating Room with the instruments, supplies, sutures, and equipment required for each scheduled procedure

  • Applying aseptic and sterile techniques and maintaining the sterile field in accordance with infection prevention, OSHA, and perioperative standards

  • Assisting with patient positioning, skin preparation, and draping while advocating for patient safety, dignity, and comfort throughout the surgical experience

  • Monitoring patients during the intraoperative period and accurately documenting assessments, interventions, surgical activities, and other required information

  • Performing surgical counts, handling specimens appropriately, and following established protocols to promote patient safety

  • Inspecting and operating surgical equipment and instrumentation while completing required quality control, routine testing, and safety checks

  • Coordinating instrument and supply needs, maintaining accurate inventory and tray information, and collaborating with Central Supply to minimize delays in patient care

  • Supporting efficient room preparation and turnover to help facilitate timely surgical starts and case progression

  • Collaborating with surgeons, nurses, surgical technologists, and other healthcare professionals to troubleshoot clinical, equipment, staffing, and workflow needs

  • Supporting new team members through onboarding, mentorship, and clinical guidance while contributing to quality improvement and High Reliability practices

This role might be for you if:
  • You enjoy the pace, precision, and teamwork of the Operating Room environment

  • Strong assessment and critical-thinking skills allow you to anticipate patient and surgical team needs and respond confidently when priorities change

  • You have a keen eye for sterile technique, surgical safety, instrumentation, and the details that keep procedures running smoothly

  • You thrive in a multidisciplinary environment and build strong working relationships with surgeons, nurses, surgical technologists, and support teams

  • You are comfortable functioning in circulating and scrub responsibilities based on departmental and patient care needs

  • Patient advocacy is central to your practice, particularly when caring for patients during the vulnerable perioperative period

  • You are organized and able to balance patient care, documentation, equipment, supplies, and changing surgical priorities

  • You enjoy sharing your knowledge, supporting new team members, and contributing to a culture of continuous learning

  • You value evidence-based practice, infection prevention, High Reliability principles, and continuous quality improvement

To be considered for this Per Diem Operating Room Registered Nurse opportunity, you must hold an active New Jersey Registered Nurse (RN) license and current BLS certification. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Certified Nurse Operating Room (CNOR) credential, and prior Operating Room experience are preferred. Candidates should demonstrate strong perioperative assessment and clinical skills, knowledge of sterile and aseptic technique, attention to detail, critical thinking, communication, teamwork, and the ability to safely manage surgical equipment, instrumentation, and supplies. Candidates should also demonstrate flexibility in supporting departmental needs and participating in required on-call coverage. This is an hourly, per diem evening shift opportunity supporting the Operating Room at the Williamson Street location.

RWJBarnabas Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer


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About RWJBarnabas Health

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

RWJBarnabas Health is New Jersey’s largest integrated health care delivery system, providing treatment and services to more than three million patients each year. Throughout RWJBarnabas Health, our dedicated physicians, nurses, and health professionals are committed to providing the highest quality of patient care and health education to the community and region. We aim to truly make a unique impact in local communities throughout New Jersey. From vastly improving the health of local residents to creating educational and career opportunities, this combination greatly benefits the state. We understand the growing and evolving needs of residents in New Jersey - whether that be enhancing the coordination for treating complex health conditions or improving community health through local programs and education.

Industry

Hospitals

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

West Orange, NJ, US

Year founded

2015