What experience do you need to be a OR travel nurse?

Usually 1–2 years of recent OR circulating experience; heart, neuro and transplant rooms often want more. Requirements are set by each hospital, so check the job post.

What certifications do OR travel nurses need?

Most OR contracts require BLS, and many prefer ACLS, CNOR and PALS (pediatric cases). Bring current cards: agencies verify them before submitting you.

What is the nurse-to-patient ratio for OR?

Only California sets ratios in law: 1 RN circulator per patient (per operating room) (Title 22 CCR §70217). Elsewhere it's hospital policy, so ask on the interview.

OR travel nurse

Also posted as operating room, perioperative and circulator.

Usually 1–2 years of recent OR circulating experience; heart, neuro and transplant rooms often want more. Most contracts require BLS; many prefer ACLS, CNOR and PALS (pediatric cases). California, the only state with ratios in law, caps OR at 1 RN circulator per patient (per operating room).

Updated October 2026

Circulating (and sometimes scrubbing) in surgery. Contracts usually spell out the services you'll cover and the call you'll take.

What agencies ask for

Experience: Usually 1–2 years of recent OR circulating experience; heart, neuro and transplant rooms often want more.
Required on most contracts: BLS
Often preferred: ACLS, CNOR and PALS (pediatric cases)
Also expect: A skills checklist and references from your recent OR managers, and a license for the state (or a multistate license where it applies).

Ratios and floating

California minimum: 1 RN circulator per patient (per operating room). Title 22 §70217

Traveler reports on OR ratios and floating appear here once a hospital's OR has 3 reports. Report a unit you worked on.

What OR travelers were offered

No OR offers shared yet. Pay is published as medians once 3 travelers have shared.

Decode an OR job post Share an offer anonymously

Ask before you sign

Which services will I cover, and will I scrub?
How much call, and how is call paid?
How long is orientation to each service?
Which charting system does the OR use?

Questions

What experience do you need to be a OR travel nurse?: Usually 1–2 years of recent OR circulating experience; heart, neuro and transplant rooms often want more. Requirements are set by each hospital, so check the job post.
What certifications do OR travel nurses need?: Most OR contracts require BLS, and many prefer ACLS, CNOR and PALS (pediatric cases). Bring current cards: agencies verify them before submitting you.
What is the nurse-to-patient ratio for OR?: Only California sets ratios in law: 1 RN circulator per patient (per operating room) (Title 22 CCR §70217). Elsewhere it's hospital policy, so ask on the interview.

Other specialties: ICU · ER · Labor & Delivery · Med-Surg · PCU / Stepdown · Telemetry · Pediatrics · NICU · Psych