What types of nurses work in the operating room?
Four nursing roles are common in surgery: the circulating RN, the scrub nurse, the nurse anesthetist (CRNA) and the perioperative nurse manager. Surgical technologists and surgeons are not nurses but work alongside them.
The roles
Circulating RN: runs the room and acts for the patient. Scrub nurse: handles instruments in the sterile field. Nurse anesthetist: a graduate-trained nurse who gives anesthesia, see how to become one. RN first assistant: helps the surgeon with exposure and closing after added training. Perioperative manager: schedules staff and runs the unit.
Training at a glance
All start with an RN license. The CRNA role needs a doctoral anesthesia program: the median CRNA earned $236,590 against $97,550 for all RNs in May 2025. Managers usually add leadership experience or a graduate degree, see nurse manager.
Pay and projections: Bureau of Labor Statistics. NCLEX figures: NCSBN. Enrollment: AACN. Sources and years are ondata sources.