Registered Nurse Operating Room Jobs in Kentucky
Registered Nurse Operating Room jobs in Kentucky are concentrated in hospital systems and surgical centers, with consistent demand across acute care, trauma, and outpatient surgery settings at experience levels from new graduate to senior perioperative specialist. Louisville, Lexington, and Bowling Green account for the largest share of openings, anchored by established systems like Norton Healthcare, UK HealthCare, and Baptist Health. The most in-demand specialties include cardiovascular surgery, orthopedics, and robotics-assisted procedures. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Assignment Overview
- Shift: Days, 5x8hrs
- Hours: 40 hrs/wk
- Start Date: Sep 21, 2026
- Length: 14 weeks
- Openings: 1
Description
American Traveler is hiring a CVOR RN for a surgical services position requiring an active RN license and BLS certification.
Details
- Work in a multidiscipline four operating room and four procedure room surgical facility providing care for over 9000 patients per year
- Services include endoscopy, pain management, ENT, general surgery, hand and foot procedures, and orthopedic procedures
- Day shift schedule, 8-hour shifts, 5 days per week, 40 hours weekly
Requirements
- Active, unrestricted RN license (KY or Compact)
- Current BLS certification
- ADN or ASN required, BSN preferred
- No prior experience required, though previous nursing experience is preferred
- Ability to assess age-specific patient safety issues and implement appropriate safety devices
- Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with other care team members
- Comfortable using computer systems and applications or ability to be trained
Additional Information
- Implement professional nursing practice centered on patient-focused, evidence-based care
- Perform comprehensive patient assessments considering culture, age, and developmental level
- Coordinate admission, transfer, and discharge activities including discharge teaching and case management coordination
- Delegate and oversee patient care tasks performed by other team members
- Participate in unit-based quality improvement activities including patient satisfaction, falls prevention, and documentation audits
- Provide patient and family education throughout the care process
- Promote a positive, healing environment through collaborative teamwork
See All 19 Registered Nurse Operating Room Jobs in Kentucky
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Find JobsRegistered Nurse Operating Room Jobs by City in Kentucky
Where Kentucky roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Registered Nurse Operating Room Job Market in Kentucky
A snapshot from current Kentucky openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Kentucky Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in registered nurse operating room jobs across Kentucky.
- Active Registered Nurse license issued or recognized by the Kentucky Board of Nursing
- Current BLS certification and ACLS certification required by most perioperative employers
- Minimum one to two years of operating room or perioperative nursing experience preferred
- CNOR certification strongly preferred or required for senior and specialty OR positions
- Demonstrated scrubbing and circulating skills across general and specialty surgical procedures
- Ability to meet hospital credentialing requirements and complete facility-specific OR competencies
Registered Nurse Operating Room Jobs in Kentucky: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a registered nurse operating room in Kentucky?
You become an operating room nurse in Kentucky by first earning an Associate Degree in Nursing or Bachelor of Science in Nursing, passing the NCLEX-RN, and obtaining licensure through the Kentucky Board of Nursing. Kentucky participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact, so nurses licensed in other compact states may practice without a separate Kentucky license. After licensure, most nurses enter the OR through a perioperative internship or new-grad residency offered by large hospital systems before pursuing CNOR certification.
How much do registered nurse operating rooms make in Kentucky?
Registered nurse operating rooms in Kentucky earn a median of about $81,040 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $64,170 for the lowest 10% to over $111,750 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire registered nurse operating rooms in Kentucky?
Employers hiring registered nurse operating rooms in Kentucky right now include American Traveler, SCA Health, and Norton Healthcare, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Large integrated health systems and freestanding surgical centers across Louisville and Lexington account for the greatest volume of ongoing perioperative openings statewide.
Which Kentucky cities have the most registered nurse operating room jobs?
The cities with the most registered nurse operating room openings in Kentucky are Louisville, Paducah, and Lexington. Louisville leads because of its dense concentration of major health systems and Level I trauma centers, while Lexington's openings are driven by UK HealthCare and its affiliated surgical facilities, and smaller markets like Bowling Green reflect the growth of regional hospital campuses serving south-central Kentucky.
How can I get hired as a registered nurse operating room in Kentucky with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying directly to perioperative internship or new-graduate residency programs run by large Kentucky systems such as Norton Healthcare and UK HealthCare, which are designed specifically for RNs without prior OR experience. Nurses transitioning from ICU, emergency, or surgical floor roles have a strong advantage because patient assessment and sterile technique skills transfer directly. Completing your CNOR eligibility hours and obtaining ACLS certification before applying signals commitment and gives your application an edge with Kentucky perioperative hiring managers.
Where can I find and apply to registered nurse operating room jobs in Kentucky?
You can find and apply to registered nurse operating room jobs in Kentucky on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings tied to Kentucky employers and surgical facilities. Search the listings to find roles that match your experience level, specialty, and preferred location, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 19 Registered Nurse Operating Room Jobs in Kentucky
Find roles in Kentucky that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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