Best institutions to study Perioperative/Operating Room and Surgical Nurse/Nursing
A program that prepares registered nurses to provide care to patients before and during surgery, and provide tableside assistance to surgeons.
10 U.S. institutions graduated 150 Perioperative/Operating Room and Surgical Nurse/Nursing students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.3812, a specialization of Registered Nursing (CIP 51.38), and leads most directly to the Registered Nurses occupation (BLS SOC 29-1141).
About Perioperative/Operating Room and Surgical Nurse/Nursing programs
A program that prepares registered nurses to provide care to patients before and during surgery, and provide tableside assistance to surgeons. Includes instruction in operating room safety and preparation, aseptic technique, anesthesia, patient preparation, surgical instruments and procedures, sterilization and disinfecting, surgical drugs and solutions, hemostasis, emergency procedures, and patient/family education.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Perioperative/Operating Room and Surgical Nurse/Nursing program is designed for registered nurses who wish to specialize in providing care to patients before and during surgical procedures. This program equips nurses with the skills necessary to assist surgeons and ensure patient safety in the operating room environment.
Students will gain essential knowledge in operating room safety, aseptic techniques, anesthesia, and the use of surgical instruments. Coursework also covers patient preparation, sterilization procedures, and emergency protocols, ensuring graduates are well-prepared for the demands of the surgical nursing field.
Credentials awarded
What Perioperative/Operating Room and Surgical Nurse/Nursing graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree91 graduates / yr · 3 institutions61%
- Award of less than 12 weeks35 graduates / yr · 2 institutions23%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate16 graduates / yr · 4 institutions11%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year5 graduates / yr · 1 institution3.3%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years2 graduates / yr · 1 institution1.3%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.7%
Graduates over time
Perioperative/Operating Room and Surgical Nurse/Nursing completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 63 |
| 2013 | 63 |
| 2014 | 109 |
| 2015 | 124 |
| 2016 | 168 |
| 2017 | 202 |
| 2018 | 172 |
| 2019 | 236 |
| 2020 | 304 |
| 2021 | 330 |
| 2022 | 269 |
| 2023 | 208 |
| 2024 | 190 |
| 2025 | 150 |
Top 10 institutions for Perioperative/Operating Room and Surgical Nurse/Nursing, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 85 | 97% | $22,055 | $80,943 |
| 2 | Delaware County Community College Media, PAPublicAward of less than 12 weeksAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 31 | 24% | — | $72,491 |
| 3 | Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science Rochester, MNPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 11 | — | — | $65,661 |
| 4 | Oakton College Des Plaines, ILPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 7 | 37% | — | $69,434 |
| 5 | GateWay Community College Phoenix, AZPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 5 | 29% | — | $74,062 |
| 6 | Inter American University of Puerto Rico - Guayama Guayama, PRPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 4 | 44% | $10,026 | $13,947 |
| 7 | University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PAPublicPost-degree cert. | 2 | 85% | — | $72,251 |
| 8 | Inter American University of Puerto Rico - Aguadilla Aguadilla, PRPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 2 | 43% | $8,433 | $12,797 |
| 9 | The University of Tennessee Health Science Center Memphis, TNPublicPost-degree cert. | 2 | — | — | $70,619 |
| 10 | Rockhurst University Kansas City, MOPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 1 | 75% | $21,890 | $69,011 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Registered Nursing field (CIP 51.38) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 7 states & territories
Where Perioperative/Operating Room and Surgical Nurse/Nursing graduates come from. Each state links to all Registered Nursing programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | 3 | 118 | University of Pennsylvania85 / yr |
| Minnesota | 1 | 11 | Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science11 / yr |
| Illinois | 1 | 7 | Oakton College7 / yr |
| Puerto Rico | 2 | 6 | Inter American University of Puerto Rico - Guayama4 / yr |
| Arizona | 1 | 5 | GateWay Community College5 / yr |
| Tennessee | 1 | 2 | The University of Tennessee Health Science Center2 / yr |
| Missouri | 1 | 1 | Rockhurst University1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 29-1141, Registered Nurses, and its national outlook.
Graduates of this program typically pursue careers as registered nurses, with a median wage of $93,600. The job outlook for registered nurses is about as fast as average, with an expected growth rate of 4.9% and approximately 189,100 annual openings in the field.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 51.3812
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Registered Nursesprimary SOC 29-1141 | $97,550 | +4.9% About as fast as average | ~189,100 | Bachelor's degree |
Nurse Practitioners SOC 29-1171 | $132,300 | +40.1% Much faster than average | ~29,500 | Master's degree |
Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1072 | $80,250 | +16.8% Much faster than average | ~8,600 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Perioperative/Operating Room and Surgical Nurse/Nursing programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Record patients' medical information and vital signs.
- Administer medications to patients and monitor patients for reactions or side effects.
- Maintain accurate, detailed reports and records.
- Monitor, record, and report symptoms or changes in patients' conditions.
- Provide health care, first aid, immunizations, or assistance in convalescence or rehabilitation in locations such as schools, hospitals, or industry.
- Consult and coordinate with healthcare team members to assess, plan, implement, or evaluate patient care plans.
Tools and technology used
Other Registered Nursing specializations
The 22 other 6-digit CIP codes under Registered Nursing (CIP 51.38).
- Registered Nursing/CIP 51.3801
Registered Nurse 263,325 graduates / yr2,067 institutions - Family Practice Nurse/CIP 51.3805
Nursing 14,703 graduates / yr293 institutions - Nursing PracticeCIP 51.38189,384 graduates / yr322 institutions
- Nursing AdministrationCIP 51.38027,804 graduates / yr198 institutions
- Psychiatric/CIP 51.3810
Mental Health Nurse/ Nursing 5,358 graduates / yr179 institutions - Nursing ScienceCIP 51.38084,605 graduates / yr148 institutions
- Registered NursingCIP 51.38993,940 graduates / yr99 institutions
- Nurse AnesthetistCIP 51.38042,183 graduates / yr72 institutions
- Adult Health Nurse/CIP 51.3803
Nursing 2,125 graduates / yr75 institutions - Public Health/CIP 51.3811
Community Nurse/ Nursing 934 graduates / yr21 institutions - Geriatric Nurse/CIP 51.3821
Nursing 680 graduates / yr43 institutions - Clinical Nurse LeaderCIP 51.3820588 graduates / yr24 institutions
- Nurse Midwife/CIP 51.3807
Nursing Midwifery 530 graduates / yr22 institutions - Critical Care NursingCIP 51.3814505 graduates / yr39 institutions
- Pediatric Nurse/CIP 51.3809
Nursing 389 graduates / yr36 institutions - Women's Health Nurse/CIP 51.3822
Nursing 350 graduates / yr15 institutions - Maternal/CIP 51.3806
Child Health and Neonatal Nurse/ Nursing 149 graduates / yr14 institutions - Clinical Nurse SpecialistCIP 51.3813135 graduates / yr22 institutions
- Emergency Room/CIP 51.3816
Trauma Nursing partial data83 graduates / yr9 institutions - Forensic NursingCIP 51.3824partial data26 graduates / yr4 institutions
- Occupational and Environmental Health NursingCIP 51.3815partial data21 graduates / yr3 institutions
- Palliative Care NursingCIP 51.3819partial data19 graduates / yr3 institutions
Common questions
What credentials can I earn from this program?+
You can earn a Master's degree, an Award of less than 12 weeks, a Postbaccalaureate certificate, or an Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop critical thinking, active listening, speaking, and monitoring skills, among others.
What tasks will I be responsible for as a surgical nurse?+
You will record patients' medical information, administer medications, monitor patient conditions, and provide health care.
How many colleges offer this program in the U.S.?+
There are 10 colleges offering the Perioperative/Operating Room and Surgical Nurse/Nursing program in the U.S.
What is the CIP code for Perioperative/Operating Room and Surgical Nurse/Nursing?+
Perioperative/Operating Room and Surgical Nurse/Nursing is CIP 51.3812 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Registered Nursing (CIP 51.38). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares registered nurses to provide care to patients before and during surgery, and provide tableside assistance to surgeons. Includes instruction in operating room safety and preparation, aseptic technique, anesthesia, patient preparation, surgical instruments and procedures, sterilization and disinfecting, surgical drugs and solutions, hemostasis, emergency procedures, and patient/family education.
How many institutions offer Perioperative/Operating Room and Surgical Nurse/Nursing programs?+
10 U.S. institutions reported Perioperative/Operating Room and Surgical Nurse/Nursing graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 7 states & territories, awarding 150 credentials in the year. That is 0.0% of all Registered Nursing graduates.
How much do Perioperative/Operating Room and Surgical Nurse/Nursing graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Registered Nurses occupation, which Perioperative/Operating Room and Surgical Nurse/Nursing most directly leads to, pays a median of $97,550 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Registered Nursing field report median earnings of $70,619 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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