OR Nurse Transition to Practice Program (RN)

Work where every moment matters.Every day, more than 40,000 Hartford HealthCare colleagues come to work with one thing in common: Pride in what we do, knowing every moment matters here. We invite you to become part of Connecticut's most comprehensive healthcare network.Hartford Hospital is one of the largest and most respected teaching hospitals New England. We are a Level 1 Trauma Center that provides cutting edge treatment to its patients. This is made possible by being home to the largest robotic surgery center in the Northeast and the Center for Education, Simulation and Innovation (CESI), one of the most-advanced medical simulation training centers in the world. When hospitals cannot provide the advanced care, expertise and new treatment options their patients require, they turn to us.Program Description:PLEASE READ ENTIRE POSTING BEFORE APPLYING - ADDITIONAL MATERIALS ARE REQUIREDHartford Hospital has implemented a comprehensive transition to practice program for novice operating room nurses. This program aligns with Hartford Healthcare's values of excellence, safety, caring and integrity by offering a blended and multimodal approach to ensuring novice OR nurses master the necessary competencies to provide high quality and safe patient care.Candidates are hired into the OR Transition to Practice Program in cohorts. Below are the cohort start dates for 2026 and application deadlines:February 9th, 2026 (Application Deadline December 26th, 2025)April 20th, 2026 (Application Deadline March 6th, 2026)August 24th, 2026 (Application Deadline July 10th, 2026)November 2nd, 2026 (September 18th, 2026)The OR Transition to Practice Program is open to new graduate registered nurses and experienced nurses (non-OR experience). This 12-month long program is divided into two main phases:Introduction to Perioperative Nursing: During the first 4 months of the program, learners can expect to be immersed in a multimodal learning experience through evidence-based learning modules (AORN Periop 101), classroom/group learning, simulation and clinical experiences to master the foundational perioperative nurse competencies. To facilitate the ideal learning experience, the schedule during this initial learning period will be Monday - Friday 7a-3:30p. At completion of phase one of the OR RN Transition to Practice Program, the learner will complete their Periop 101 final exam.Clinical Orientation (Unit Specific): The remaining 6-7 months are spent immersed in the clinical environment mastering the unit-based nursing competencies. You will follow your departmental schedule and mirror that of your preceptor(s). This portion of the program is tailored to the unique needs of the learner and the unit in which they are employed (see more about each eligible unit below). Additional components of this portion of the program include professional practice, professional development and professional governance.Throughout the entirety of the program, learners can expect to be mentored by their unit-based preceptors, management team and members of the Nursing Professional Development team (Unit Nurse Educators). You will meet regularly to ensure you are supported and set up for success in your new role.New graduate nurses will also be enrolled in our Hartford Healthcare Graduate Nurse Residency program to facilitate their transition to professional nursing practice.The Role of the OR Nurse:Operating Room (OR) nurses, also known as perioperative nurses, play a crucial role in providing care before, during, and after surgery. They work closely with the surgical team to deliver safe, high-quality care and are responsible for ensuring patient safety throughout the perioperative environment. OR nurses may take on various roles in the surgical team, depending on their responsibilities.Scrub Nurse: Scrub nurses work directly within the sterile field and assist the surgical team by preparing instruments, equipment, and sterile supplies, passing instruments to the surgeon during the procedure, maintaining a sterile environment, and monitoring instruments and supplies used during surgery to ensure nothing is misplaced.Circulating Nurse: Circulating nurses manage the overall environment of the operating room by ensuring all surgical tools, supplies, and equipment are available and working, monitoring the patient's safety and well-being throughout the surgery, maintaining documentation and records of the procedure, communicating between the surgical team and other departments (such as pathology or radiology) and anticipating the needs of the surgical team, and providing additional instruments, medications, or equipment as necessary.ELIGIBLE OR UNITS:Core OR: The Core Operating Room (OR) provides care to a diverse group of patients across multiple surgical specialties. These specialties include general surgery, ear, nose, and throat (ENT), colorectal, oral maxillofacial, trauma, transplant, vascular access, bariatrics, urology, gynecology, thoracic, and robotics. The Core OR team is also responsible for ensuring 24/7 operating room coverage, offering staff a range of alternative scheduling options. Additionally, there are numerous opportunities for team members to engage in innovation and continued learning with new equipment and procedures.Neuro OR: The Neuro Operating Room (OR) team provides highly specialized care for patients undergoing neuro and spine surgeries. Conditions treated include brain tumors, vascular malformations, essential tremors, degenerative spine disease, chronic back pain, neuro/spine trauma, spinal cord injuries, infections, hydrocephalus, and complications from acute stroke. Nurses play a critical role in delivering this specialized care, ensuring patient safety and well-being throughout these complex procedures.Cardio-Vascular OR: The Cardiovascular Operating Room (CVOR) provides specialized care for patients undergoing cardiac or vascular surgery. Common procedures in the CVOR include coronary artery bypass surgery, valve replacements, heart transplants, aortic artery repairs, vascular bypass, endarterectomies, and endovascular and hybrid cardiac and vascular surgeries. Nurses in the CVOR are integral members of a highly functioning and dynamic interdisciplinary team, working closely with cardiac and vascular surgeons, advanced practice providers, surgical technologists, perfusionists, anesthesia providers, and support staff.Ambulatory OR: The Ambulatory Operating Room provides care for same-day surgery patients. Although it functions as an outpatient surgical center, the Ambulatory OR delivers specialized surgical care to individuals with complex medical conditions. Surgical service lines covered include colorectal, dental, ear, nose, and throat (ENT), general surgery, gynecology, urology, urogynecology, oral maxillofacial, ophthalmology, plastics, and pediatrics. The Ambulatory OR plays a crucial role in reducing the need for extended hospital stays, offering patients high-quality, efficient care to patients who can recover safely at home.Bone and Joint Institute OR: The Bone and Joint Institute specializes in surgical interventions for orthopedic and musculoskeletal conditions. The care provided includes closed and open fracture repairs, tendon and ligament injury repairs, joint replacements, spine surgeries, podiatric procedures, and joint arthroscopy, among other treatments. Staff have the privilege of working in a state-of-the-art facility alongside a highly specialized and dynamic team of orthopedic surgeons, podiatrists, advanced practice providers, and other healthcare professionals.Qualifications:Current Connecticut nursing license required prior to start date.Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required at time of hire.Exposure to perioperative nursing practice environment preferred (Summer Student Nurse Fellow, Capstone Rotation, employment in perioperative services in a non-licensed capacity, job/career shadow experience).Application Process:Complete online applicationResumeCover letter MUST include:o Your top two OR units of interesto Explanation of your desire to begin a career in perioperative nursingPLEASE NOTE: Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Complete applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis. This posting does not guarantee an open position within the department of your choice at the time of application.We take great care of careers.With locations around the state, Hartford HealthCare offers exciting opportunities for career development and growth. Here, you are part of an organization on the cutting edge - helping to bring new technologies, breakthrough treatments and community education to countless men, women and children. We know that a thriving organization starts with thriving employees-- we provide a competitive benefits program designed to ensure work/life balance. Every moment matters. And this is your moment.As an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action employer, the organization will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant's race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, and veteran or disability status.