Perioperative nurse residency programs.
Perioperative (OR) residencies — often built on the AORN Periop 101 curriculum — move new nurses into the operating room, teaching sterile technique, circulating, and scrubbing. This is a distinct skill set from bedside nursing and one of the few specialties routinely open to new graduates.
Common questions about Perioperative residencies
How many Perioperative nurse residency programs are there?
Our directory lists 123 Perioperative nurse residency programs across 28 states and regions, 85 of them accredited.
Are Perioperative nurse residencies open to new graduates?
Most Perioperative residencies are designed as a transition-to-practice program for new-graduate RNs, though some target experienced nurses moving into the specialty. Check each program's page for eligibility.
What accreditation should I look for in a Perioperative residency?
The most recognized U.S. accreditation is ANCC PTAP (Practice Transition Accreditation Program); some programs hold Vizient/AACN or CCNE recognition. Accreditation is a signal of a structured, quality residency.