Registered Nurse Operating Room Jobs in Iowa
Registered Nurse Operating Room jobs in Iowa are concentrated in Des Moines, Iowa City, and Cedar Rapids, where health systems like UnityPoint Health, University of Iowa Health Care, and MercyOne operate busy surgical programs that hire at every experience level. Perioperative care, scrub and circulating roles, and robotic-assisted surgery support are the specialties drawing the most consistent demand across Iowa's major OR suites. Hiring is steady year-round, with experienced OR nurses and new graduates completing perioperative residencies both finding openings. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Registered Nurse – PRN Operating Room / Ambulatory Surgery
Advanced Surgery Center of Central Iowa is seeking an experienced Registered Nurse (RN) to join our team on a PRN basis. This is an excellent opportunity for an OR nurse who values a collaborative surgical environment and a predictable schedule.
Schedule: PRN
Position Overview
The ideal candidate will have previous Operating Room and/or Ambulatory Surgery Center experience, with orthopedic and ENT circulating and scrubbing experience preferred.
As an OR RN, you will provide safe, high-quality patient care while serving as a patient advocate and collaborating closely with surgeons and the surgical team.
Qualifications
- Graduate of an accredited school of nursing.
- Minimum of one year of Operating Room experience, preferably in an ambulatory surgery center.
- Current RN license in the appropriate state.
- Thorough understanding of the circulating and scrub RN roles and responsibilities.
- Ability to perform duties within the scope of RN licensure.
- ACLS and PALS certification required or must be obtained within 90 days of hire.
- Strong critical-thinking, clinical judgment, communication, and leadership skills.
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced and occasionally stressful environment.
Physical & Work Requirements
- Ability to frequently lift and reposition patients, including lifting up to 60 pounds.
- Ability to exert at least 40 pounds of force to assist with patient transportation.
- Ability to stand and walk for the majority of the shift.
- Frequent bending, stooping, and other physical activities may be required.
- Ability to accurately understand and follow policies, patient records, physician orders, procedures, and clinical guidelines.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide and supervise safe, compassionate patient care throughout the surgical experience.
- Serve as a strong patient advocate and promptly communicate safety concerns.
- Circulate and scrub as needed within the operating room.
- Prepare, handle, and maintain surgical instruments and equipment within the sterile field.
- Perform appropriate interventions to prevent infection and promote patient safety.
- Demonstrate sound clinical judgment, critical-thinking skills, and leadership in the operating room.
- Collaborate with surgeons, anesthesia providers, and other members of the surgical team to promote efficient and safe patient care.
- Participate in activities and responsibilities outside of scheduled operating room time as assigned.
- Contribute to a positive, team-oriented environment focused on exceptional patient experiences.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Why Join Advanced Surgery Center of Central Iowa?
At Advanced Surgery Center of Central Iowa, every team member plays an important role in creating an exceptional patient experience. We foster teamwork, engagement, safety, and clinical excellence while providing high-quality surgical care in an ambulatory setting.
If you are an experienced OR RN looking for a PRN opportunity, we encourage you to apply.
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Flexible schedule
Work Location: In person
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Find JobsRegistered Nurse Operating Room Jobs by City in Iowa
Where Iowa roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Registered Nurse Operating Room Job Market in Iowa
A snapshot from current Iowa openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- The University of Iowa18

- MercyOne9

- UnityPoint Health6

- FirstChoice3

- American Traveler3

Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services11
- Education9
- Insurance1
What Iowa Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in registered nurse operating room jobs across Iowa.
- Active Iowa RN license issued or recognized by the Iowa Board of Nursing
- Current BLS certification required by most Iowa hospital employers
- CNOR certification preferred or required for senior perioperative positions
- Minimum one to two years of hands-on operating room or perioperative nursing experience
- Demonstrated competency in scrub and circulating roles across surgical specialties
- Ability to respond to on-call assignments during nights and weekends as scheduled
Registered Nurse Operating Room Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a registered nurse operating room in Iowa?
You start by earning an associate or bachelor's degree in nursing, passing the NCLEX-RN, and obtaining an active Iowa RN license through the Iowa Board of Nursing. Iowa participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact, so nurses licensed in compact states can practice without a separate Iowa license. From there, many hospitals offer perioperative nursing residencies designed specifically for RNs who want OR training but have not worked in a surgical setting before.
How much do registered nurse operating rooms make in Iowa?
Registered nurse operating rooms in Iowa earn a median of about $78,630 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $63,840 for the lowest 10% to over $100,500 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire registered nurse operating rooms in Iowa?
Companies currently hiring registered nurse operating rooms in Iowa include The University of Iowa, MercyOne, and UnityPoint Health, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Iowa's largest health systems, including academic medical centers and regional hospital networks, tend to run the most active OR hiring because of their volume of elective and trauma surgical cases.
Which Iowa cities have the most registered nurse operating room jobs?
Iowa City, Des Moines, and Davenport have the most registered nurse operating room openings in Iowa. Des Moines anchors the largest share because of the concentration of flagship hospitals and specialty surgical centers headquartered there, while Iowa City's openings are driven by University of Iowa Health Care, a major academic medical center that runs high-volume specialty surgery programs, and Cedar Rapids draws consistent volume through its regional hospital campuses serving eastern Iowa.
Are there remote registered nurse operating room jobs in Iowa?
Yes, but they're rare. Operating room nursing is an inherently hands-on, sterile-field role that requires physical presence in the surgical suite, so remote work is not a realistic option for the core position. About 0% of registered nurse operating room openings tied to Iowa are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those postings typically involve perioperative education, clinical documentation review, or surgical services coordination rather than direct patient care.
How can I get hired as a registered nurse operating room in Iowa with little or no experience?
The most realistic path is applying to a perioperative nursing residency, which UnityPoint Health and University of Iowa Health Care both run for licensed RNs who have no prior OR background. These structured programs provide scrub and circulating training over several months before independent practice. Nurses coming from medical-surgical, emergency, or procedural areas have the strongest lateral footing, and holding or actively pursuing CNOR eligibility signals commitment that Iowa hiring managers respond to.
Where can I find and apply to registered nurse operating room jobs in Iowa?
You can find and apply to registered nurse operating room jobs in Iowa on Migrate Mate, which lists current Iowa openings from hospitals and health systems across the state. Search the listings for roles that match your specialty, experience level, and preferred location, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
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