Travel Pre/Post Op Nurse Jobs
Make a Difference as a Pre/Post Op Travel Nurse
Both preoperative (pre-op) and postoperative (post-op) nurses work closely with the surgical team and clinical staff in and out of the operating room to ensure patient safety and well-being throughout the surgical process. As someone who will walk alongside patients as they undergo surgical procedures, you serve as a patient advocate, providing nursing care and emotional support that eases the anxieties of patients and their families.
Being a pre/post op travel nurse allows you to live and work in the location of your dreams while providing high quality compassionate care, and get paid to do it. As a travel nurse, you choose your specialty and your next adventure.
Interested in traveling as a pre/post op nurse? Browse travel pre/post op nurse jobs at outstanding facilities across the country and find your fit.
What is a pre/post op nurse?
A pre-op registered nurse and a post-op registered nurse applies knowledge to providing care during the surgical process, working with patients before and after a surgical intervention. Before surgery, their role is to ensure that the patient is both physically and mentally prepared, which can improve a patient’s readiness by helping reduce anxiety and contribute to a better overall patient experience. When a surgical patient comes out of the operating room, post-op nurses are crucial during the immediate postoperative period in helping prevent postoperative complications, promote healing, and facilitate a smoother recovery.
Being a pre or post op nurse requires excellent communication skills as you work with interdisciplinary healthcare team members.
Typical Pre Op and Post Op Nurse Responsibilities:
- Perform a preoperative assessment to record the patient’s medical history, current medications, and any potential risks or complications
- Educate patients about the surgical procedure
- Involved in the physical preparation of the patient for surgery, which may include cleaning and disinfecting the surgical site
- Monitor a patient’s vital signs and blood pressure, pain management, check for signs of complications, and dress surgical wounds during the postoperative period
- Conduct patient education about care that would be required at home, including wound care, medication management, and recognizing potential complications
- Implement individualized care plans
- Document patient outcomes for the medical team
Choose where you go
With opportunities for travelers all over the country, we’ve selected areas with the most popular medical traveling jobs to help you find your best fit.
Advantages & Perks for Travel Registered Nurse Jobs
Competitive pay
Travel nurses are the backbone of medical traveling. Pay transparency means you can see what you'll actually get paid before you even apply.
Per diem
Travel registered nurses qualify for a weekly, tax-free per diem that can help you cover the cost of moving, like your transportation, meals, and other expenses.
Certifications
Level-up, nurse. Get your state licenses and travel nurse requirements reimbursed.
Travel life
See new spaces. See new faces. Grow and learn in your nursing career as you grow and learn in various cities all over the country.Travel Nursing Compliance & Licensure
Being a travel nurse is a great way to grow your experience and learn on the job. What if your dream travel assignment is asking for certifications you don’t have? Don’t sweat. You’ll get training in nursing and financial assistance for the cost of licensing and certifications!
Degrees and Certifications
Keeping up with the world of licensing and certification can be intimidating. Degrees and certifications depend on your modality and specialty but getting compliant for your home state and others you want to travel to are easier as a medical professional. Compliance experts work with your recruiter and the facility to ensure that you have all the relevant credentials required for any and all travel jobs.
Compliance Requirements
Some of your registered nurse compliance requirements are the same across the board, but there are others that will depend on your specialty in nursing.
The three parts of compliance
- Occupational health records: Required immunizations and health examinations
- Documentation: Tax forms, insurance paperwork, and licenses
- Testing: Certifications, online training, and workplace safety exams
FAQs
Who can become a pre/post op travel nurse?
The path to becoming a pre/post op nurse starts with earning a nursing degree, either an associate's or a bachelor's degree, from an accredited school of nursing. Once the degree is completed, prospective nurses must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) to gain licensure as a registered nurse (RN). After earning the registered nurse license issued in your state, gaining clinical experience working as a pre-op, post-op or anesthesia care unit nurse is highly recommended. From there, nurses can pursue further specialization and additional certifications in pre/post op nursing interventions and care.
Gaining experience in a clinical setting is beneficial. It is recommended that travel registered nurses have 12-18 months of hospital-based RN experience in their field. Depending on the specialty or the specific requirements of the facility, the required job experience could be longer.
How much do pre/post op travel nurse jobs pay?
Payscale reports that perioperative nurses, who work with surgical patients in both pre- and post-surgery settings, earn an average salary ranging from $61,000 to $101,000 annually. The average salary for pre-op and post-op nurses can vary significantly based on geographical location, years of experience, level of education, and the healthcare setting in which they work.
Are there any common pre/post op nursing care certifications I should consider?
Yes! The Competency and Credentialing Institute offers the Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR) for nurses who spend a significant part of their practice in perioperative (pre- and post-surgical) care. Candidates for this certification must be registered nurses who have completed at least two years and 2,400 hours of experience in perioperative nursing patient care, with a minimum of 50% of their duties in a perioperative setting, such as a pre-op or post-op nurse.
Nurses in a pre or post op setting may also be required to earn basic certifications like Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS).
Will taking travel nursing jobs help my nursing career?
Working as a travel registered nurse is beneficial because it exposes you to different regional nursing procedures and patient populations, provide the opportunity to explore new specialties, and gain experience in rewarding and positive workplace environments.