A well-crafted pre-op nurse resume is essential for standing out in a competitive healthcare job market.

Your role is crucial in preparing patients for surgery, ensuring their comfort and safety. The document must highlight both your technical skills and compassionate care, demonstrating your ability to work in a fast-paced, high-pressure work environment.

In this article, we’ll explore the key elements that should be included in your perioperative nurse resume, offering tips and examples to help you secure your next position.

Pre-op nurse resume examples

Pre-op registered nurse resume sample

Pre-op registered nurse resume template

Perioperative Registered Nurse Resume
Use template Download PDF

Resume for pre-op registered nurse | Plain text

Ashley Monroe
Seattle, WA • ashley.monroe@email.com • (206) 555-7392 • LinkedIn.com/in/ashleymonroe

Summary

Detail-oriented perioperative registered nurse with experience assisting in surgical procedures, ensuring optimal patient care, and maintaining high standards of safety in fast-paced OR settings. Skilled in pre-op and post-op care, interdisciplinary coordination, and sterile technique.

Skills

  • Surgical instrumentation
  • Patient education
  • Intraoperative support
  • Aseptic technique
  • EMR documentation (Epic)
  • Post-anesthesia recovery
  • IV therapy
  • Wound care
  • Team collaboration
  • PACU transition care

Experience

Perioperative Registered Nurse

Swedish Medical Center | Seattle, WA

Jan 2021 – Present

  • Collaborate with anesthesiologists, surgeons, and surgical techs to ensure timely, sterile, and safe surgical procedures across orthopedic, general, and cardiac specialties.
  • Conduct comprehensive preoperative assessments, flagging potential risk factors and ensuring all consent and allergy documentation was complete.
  • Monitor patients during operations, managing IV fluids, positioning, and response to anesthesia while responding to emergent complications.
  • Assist in post-op recovery handoffs to PACU, ensuring continuity of care with detailed verbal and written reports.

OR Nurse – Surgical Float Team

Harborview Medical Center | Seattle, WA

Jul 2017 – Dec 2020

  • Supported various surgical departments, including trauma and neuro, adapting quickly to different teams, instruments, and procedures.
  • Maintained strict compliance with infection control and surgical count protocols, resulting in zero count discrepancies for 3 consecutive years.
  • Educated patients and families about procedure timelines and post-op expectations, improving satisfaction scores in the perioperative department.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Nursing
University of Washington | Seattle, WA | 2017

Certifications

  • RN License – WA | Issued 2017
  • CNOR Certification | 2021

Languages

Fluent in Spanish

Leadership & Committees

  • Participated in OR Nurse Residency Leadership Committee at Swedish Medical Center, contributing to curriculum updates and feedback surveys.

Continuing Education

  • Attended AORN Perioperative Conference 2025 in San Diego
  • Completed Advanced Sterile Technique CEU, 2023

Strong sides of this perioperative nurse resume sample:

  • The application effectively highlights hands-on surgical expertise with diverse specialties, making it ideal for hospitals seeking adaptable OR staff.
  • It includes a clear leadership and committee section, showcasing involvement beyond clinical duties.
  • The continuing education and bilingual skills add depth and demonstrate a commitment to ongoing development.

Layout of a perioperative nurse resume

  • Select classic fonts like Arial or Times New Roman to ensure your document is visually appealing.
  • For most applicants, it should be no longer than one page resume format, especially with less than 10 years of experience.
  • Utilize 1-inch margins on all sides to give your paper a clean and balanced look.
  • Keep your paragraphs short and include bullet points to highlight key information in resume sections.
  • Employ black text on a white background for a professional and readable result.

To simplify formatting and prevent having to redo the layout, create your resume with AI for free.

Resume Trick offers customizable templates that streamline the writing process.

Create your professional Resume in 10 minutes for FREE

Build My Resume

Pre-op charge nurse resume example

Sample pre-op charge nurse resume

Tina Caldwell
Chicago, IL • tina.caldwell@protonmail.com • (773) 555-4488 • LinkedIn.com/in/tinacaldwell

Summary

Experienced perioperative charge nurse with 12+ years in surgical units and 6 years of leadership experience overseeing perioperative teams. Proven success in streamlining workflows, mentoring junior staff, and ensuring compliance with JCAHO and AORN standards.

Skills

  • Staff scheduling and supervision
  • Surgical safety protocol
  • Supply chain coordination
  • Clinical mentorship
  • Intraoperative crisis management
  • Workflow optimization
  • Patient advocacy
  • Budget oversight
  • HIPAA & OSHA compliance
  • Operating room turnaround

Experience

Perioperative Charge Nurse

Northwestern Memorial Hospital | Chicago, IL

Jun 2019 – Present

  • Lead a perioperative team of 12 RNs and surgical techs in a 10-suite OR, managing daily assignments, room turnover efficiency, and conflict resolution.
  • Initiated a surgical safety time-out audit program, increasing compliance from 88% to 98% within 6 months.
  • Facilitate onboarding and cross-training programs for newly hired perioperative staff, reducing orientation time by 30%.
  • Act as liaison between nursing, surgical scheduling, and sterile processing teams to ensure equipment availability and case readiness.

Operating Room Nurse

Rush University Medical Center | Chicago, IL

May 2013 – May 2019

  • Delivered direct perioperative care across a wide variety of cases including ENT, vascular, and minimally invasive surgery.
  • Maintained zero sentinel events by adhering strictly to pre-op checklist procedures and postoperative documentation standards.
  • Volunteered as nurse educator for surgical time-out workshops across hospital departments.

Education

Master of Science in Nursing – Leadership Focus
DePaul University | Chicago, IL | 2018

Bachelor of Science in Nursing
University of Illinois at Chicago | 2013

Certifications

  • RN License – IL | Active
  • CNOR | Renewed 2023
  • BLS & ACLS | Valid through 2026

Association Memberships

  • Member, AORN – Chicago Chapter
  • Member, Illinois Organization of Nurse Leaders (IONL)

Speaking Engagements

  • Guest speaker at OR Leadership Seminar 2022 – "Best Practices for Charge Nurses in High-Acuity Environments"

Event Coordination

  • Organized the annual OR Safety Fair at Northwestern Memorial since 2021, featuring vendors, CEUs, and workshops on best practices

This example of a perioperative nurse resume is great:

  • The application presents strong leadership and coordination experience within high-acuity settings.
  • It balances clinical excellence with strategic oversight like scheduling, audits, and conflict resolution.
  • Extra sections on association memberships and speaking engagements reinforce authority and industry involvement.

Should I choose a pre-op nurse resume objective or summary?

Resume summary

  • Ideal for experienced candidates.
  • Highlights qualifications, expertise, and what you bring to the role.
  • Keep it brief, around 2-4 lines.

Pre-op nurse resume summary sample:

Experienced pre-op nurse with over 5 years of expertise in surgical patient preparation. Proven ability to provide exceptional care, manage pre-op assessments, and communicate effectively with medical teams.

Resume objective

  • Suitable for those new to the field or changing industries.
  • This section focuses on your career goals and passion.
  • Keep it to 2-3 lines.

Pre-op nurse resume objective example:

Passionate pre-op nurse seeking to provide outstanding care for surgical patients at a leading healthcare facility.

How to showcase your pre-op nurse resume skills?

The skills section proves your proficiency and readiness for the position.

  • Hard skills are specific abilities like medical procedures, which are typically learned through formal education or hands-on expertise.
  • Soft skills are personal attributes such as communication and empathy, often developed through life experiences.

Pre-op nurse hard skills:

  • Patient assessment
  • Surgical preparation
  • Anesthesia administration
  • Infection control
  • IV insertion
  • Medical record keeping
  • Pre-surgical education
  • Vital sign monitoring
  • Wound care
  • Medication administration
  • Emergency response
  • Patient positioning
  • Post-operative care
  • Blood pressure measurement
  • Sterile technique

Soft skills for pre-op nurse:

  • Communication
  • Empathy
  • Attention to detail
  • Stress management
  • Teamwork
  • Critical thinking
  • Problem-solving
  • Adaptability
  • Time management
  • Patient advocacy
  • Compassion
  • Conflict resolution
  • Organizational skills
  • Active listening
  • Multitasking

Pre-op LPN nurse resume template

Pre-op LPN nurse resume sample

Perioperative LPN Nurse Resume
Use template Download PDF

Resume for pre-op LPN nurse | Text version

Melissa Harper
Charlotte, NC • melissaharper@mail.com • (980) 555-1223 • LinkedIn.com/in/melissalpn

Summary

Compassionate and highly skilled perioperative LPN nurse with experience assisting in preoperative care, surgical prep, and PACU monitoring. Adept at working alongside surgical teams, maintaining sterile fields, and ensuring optimal patient comfort and safety.

Skills

  • Pre-surgical patient prep
  • Foley catheterization
  • Sterile field maintenance
  • Pre-op education
  • Basic wound dressing
  • Medication administration
  • Vitals monitoring
  • Room turnover
  • EMR charting (Cerner)
  • Patient mobility assistance

Experience

Perioperative LPN Nurse

Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center | Charlotte, NC

Feb 2020 – Present

  • Prepare patients for outpatient and inpatient surgical procedures, confirming consent and completing checklist protocols.
  • Support RNs and surgical techs by maintaining sterile environments and ensuring timely supply availability.
  • Provide postoperative care under RN supervision, including monitoring vitals and documenting patient responses.
  • Ensure optimal patient comfort during surgical preparation, often reducing pre-op anxiety through clear communication.

LPN – Surgical Floor

Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center | Charlotte, NC

Sep 2017 – Jan 2020

  • Assisted patients recovering from surgery with daily care, wound checks, and mobility support.
  • Documented patient recovery status accurately, ensuring seamless communication during shift transitions.
  • Coordinated with interdisciplinary teams to ensure continuity of care and efficient discharge planning.

Education

Practical Nursing Diploma
Central Piedmont Community College | Charlotte, NC | 2017

Certifications

  • LPN License – NC | Active
  • BLS (AHA) | Current through 2026

Volunteer Work

  • Health educator at Charlotte Community Clinics, providing pre-surgical info sessions and wound care guidance for underserved populations

Continuing Education

  • Completed "Perioperative Care for LPNs" training (Atrium Health, 2024)
  • Attended 2022 North Carolina Surgical Nursing Symposium

Community Engagement

  • Member of hospital patient experience committee, representing LPN staff perspectives in quality initiatives

This sample perioperative nurse resume is effective for several reasons:

  • The document is tailored for supportive surgical roles with clear examples of teamwork and patient care.
  • It includes community engagement and volunteer efforts, which highlight soft skills and service-oriented values.
  • Continuing training details prove initiative to grow in a specialized nursing environment.

Education for pre-op nurse resume

The education section is essential for showcasing your qualifications. Structure it as follows:

  • Your highest degree or diploma (e.g., Associate of Science in Nursing, Bachelor of Science in Nursing).
  • Institution’s name and location (city, state).
  • Month and year you graduated to indicate when it was completed.
  • Any certifications, such as RN or BSN, and the date obtained.

Experience section in a perioperative nurse resume

  • List your current or most recent position first to emphasize relevant ones.
  • Ensure your title accurately reflects your role (e.g., Pre-Op Nurse, Operating Room Nurse).
  • Highlight your main duties and responsibilities that align with the description.
  • Add numbers or metrics to illustrate your impact, such as "Prepared over 100 patients monthly."
  • Bullets make it easier to read and draw attention to your most important contributions.
  • Mention specific expertise in areas like pre-surgical assessments or patient education.

Conclusion

Crafting an exceptional pre-op nurse resume requires more than listing qualifications—it’s about showcasing your dedication to patient care, your clinical expertise, and your ability to handle complex surgical preparations.

By following the tips and general resume examples provided, you can ensure your application stands out to hiring managers and lands you that next step in your nursing career.

Don’t forget to tailor your document to each job, highlighting the skills and experiences most relevant to the position.

Create your professional Resume in 10 minutes for FREE

Build My Resume