Operating Room Registered Nurse (RN) – Surgery

Operating Room Registered Nurse (RN) – Surgery

Rutherfordton, NC | $60,000–$82,000 | Full-Time | Day Shift | On-Site

If you're an experienced Operating Room RN who circulates, this is an opportunity to join a surgical team where you'll work across orthopedic, general, robotic, and select OB/GYN procedures.

The position is with a community-based acute care hospital in western North Carolina backed by the resources of a larger national healthcare network. The surgical program is growing, including investment in robotic-assisted surgery, while maintaining the collaborative environment of a community hospital.

There are currently multiple openings for experienced OR nurses.

A Look Inside the OR

The surgical department operates five ORs, with three rooms running full-time and a case mix primarily centered on orthopedic and general surgery.

The program also performs select OB/GYN procedures and has expanded its minimally invasive surgical capabilities by adding the da Vinci Surgical System.

You'll work alongside surgeons, anesthesia providers, surgical technologists, and other perioperative professionals in an environment where experienced nurses are expected to anticipate what's needed, communicate well, and keep cases moving safely and efficiently.

This is a true OR circulating position.

Before You Apply

We're specifically looking for experienced circulating nurses, so there are a few requirements that matter from the start.

You must have:

• 2+ years of Surgery/Operating Room Circulating RN experience
• A current North Carolina RN license or Compact RN license with North Carolina practice privileges
• Experience and comfort circulating orthopedic and general surgery cases
• The ability to circulate da Vinci robotic procedures and select OB/GYN cases
• An Associate Degree in Nursing or higher

Candidates whose perioperative experience is limited to Pre-Op, Post-Op, PACU, Endoscopy, or GI will not meet the OR circulating experience requirement for this position.

BLS is required within 30 days of hire and ACLS within 90 days.

A BSN is preferred but not required.

The Schedule

Typical hours are:

7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

OR team members also participate in approximately 1–2 call shifts per week.

When called back, you must be able to report to the hospital within 30 minutes. Because of that requirement, candidates should already live within an appropriate commuting distance or be prepared to relocate independently to the Rutherfordton area.

There is currently no employer-sponsored relocation package for this position.

Inside the Role

Experienced OR nurses know that circulating is about much more than completing a checklist.

You'll assess patients throughout the perioperative process, prepare and coordinate the operating room, anticipate the needs of the surgical team, maintain patient safety and adhere to sterile practice standards, document care accurately, and help create the communication and workflow that enable a surgical team to perform at its best.

You'll also have opportunities to work across different procedures and may occasionally support Endoscopy, adding variety to the position and broader exposure within perioperative services.

Compensation & Benefits

The base salary range is $60,000–$82,000, based on experience and qualifications.

The organization also offers a comprehensive employee benefits program that includes:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Medical plan options starting as low as $10 per pay period
• Paid time off and paid family leave
• Life and disability insurance
• Accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity coverage
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match
• Tuition and certification assistance
• Education and loan assistance programs
• Employee wellness and mental health resources
• Professional development and career advancement opportunities

Specific plan eligibility and coverage details are provided during the hiring process.

Community Hospital. Broader Resources.

This is a 143-bed acute care hospital serving Rutherford County and surrounding western North Carolina communities.

Nurses benefit from working in a community-based hospital while also having access to the clinical resources, technology, professional development, and infrastructure associated with a larger national healthcare network.

Recent investment in robotic-assisted surgery is one example of the hospital's continued expansion of advanced surgical capabilities, bringing them closer to the communities it serves.

Is This the Right Move for You?

If you're already circulating in the OR and want a day-shift surgical position with a varied case mix, robotic surgery exposure, and the environment of a community hospital, we'd like to hear from you.

When you apply, be prepared to tell us about the procedures you're currently circulating, your OR experience, and your ability to meet the 30-minute call-back requirement.

Apply to start a confidential conversation about the opportunity.