Entry Level Surgical Nurse Jobs
New grad surgical nurse jobs welcome recent graduates and entry level candidates with zero to two years of experience, where strong clinical rotation performance or internship work can matter more than a long resume. Most openings are on-site roles across Healthcare & Medical Services, Education, and Technology & Software, with employers like CoxHealth, Saint Francis Health System, and Ascension hiring at this level now.
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Showing 4 of 177+ Entry Level Surgical Nurse jobs
Position Title:
RN Resident - Registered Nurse - Surgical Specialty - Full Time - Days & Nights AvailableDepartment:
Post Surgical UnitJob Description:
Special Benefits:
Sign-on bonus up to $5,000 for qualified individuals
Student loan repayment up to $25,000
Relocation assistance if moving 100+ miles
Night Shift Stipend (if nights)
The Adult Surgical Specialty Unit is a 30-bed unit at OU Health. We treat a wide variety of patients with varying levels of acuity, both in med/surg and step-down status. We specialize in post-surgical patients in ENT, ORL, bariatrics, plastics, emergency general surgery, general surgery, gynecology, urology, and colorectal service lines as well as many other disease processes. Surgical Specialty offers an excellent opportunity to care for patients in varying levels of acuity that receive innovative surgical care which allows them to live healthier lives.
Location: University of Oklahoma Medical Center
Shift: Full Time/36 hours per week/12hr Shifts/Days & Nights Available
General Description: An OU Health Registered Nurse (RN) I works under general supervision, providing the highest quality of care to patients in a hospital setting with health problems ranging from simple to complex. They model the OU Health Way, as evident in their work output and interactions with employees and patients, through living OU Health’s core values of putting Patients First , pursuing Relentless Excellence , showing Integrity , seeking Inclusion for all staff and patients, always Learning , and valuing Teamwork .
RN I represents the nurse who is a novice or an advanced beginner advancing to competent. While advancing from novice to competent, the nurse relies on rules rather than principles which are independent of specific situations. The advanced beginner may have enough real experience to begin to formulate principles.
Essential Responsibilities
- Aligns behaviors with OU Health values and maintains nursing professional practice standards.
- Assumes responsibility for an assigned patient or group of patients.
- Documents patient responses to nursing interventions and prescribed medical treatments, noting all changes in physician order on assigned patients.
- Assists physician in the examination of patients and in performing minor diagnostic procedures and treatment.
- Obtains and monitors physiological data of patients, observes the physiological manifestations of patients, and intervenes when necessary.
- Administers medication as prescribed.
- Initiates, regulates and monitors intravenous infusions and blood products.
- Delivers patient care safely and competently.
- Resolves patient complaints in a timely manner in accordance with policy and in collaboration with support staff.
- Informs patient and family of hospital procedures and shares care plan during the time of care and at the time of discharge.
- Makes referrals regarding patient care needs to appropriate personnel.
- Fosters a growth mindset through seeking mentorship, remaining open to coaching and feedback, and maintaining professional certification(s)/licensure in order to perpetually develop and uphold the skills required for proficiency within the nursing profession.
- Develops a professional career plan and establishes personal, performance goals in alignment with enterprise-wide metrics, frequently measuring progress with department leadership.
- Fosters an inclusive workforce where individual differences are valued and maximized to achieve OU Health’s winning aspiration.
- Delegates tasks to clinical support staff as needed. Performs other duties as assigned.
-
Minimum Qualifications
Education: Associate's or Bachelor's Degree in Nursing.
Experience: 0-3 years of experience in patient care as a Registered Nurse.
License/Certification/Registration:
- Current Registered Nurse License (RN License issued by the Oklahoma State Board of Nursing, or a current multistate compact Registered Nurse (eNLC)). Basic Life Support (American Heart Association) certification required upon hire.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
- Knowledge of basic professional nursing theory, practices, techniques, and procedures.
- Ability to organize, plan, coordinate, and evaluate nursing services and apply nursing techniques.
- Ability to maintain civility and good working relationships with other employees.
- Ability to respond effectively to cultural and language needs of patients and visitors.
- Skilled in computer applications designed to ensure quality and safety measures for patients.
- Ability to establish and maintain integrity and trust with patients by advocating in the patient’s best interest.
- Ability to engage and manage conflicts and disagreements in a constructive manner.
- Ability to maintain compliance accreditation with local, state, and federal regulatory standards.
- Ability to foster an inclusive workplace where diversity and individual differences are valued and maximized to achieve the vision and mission of the organization. Strong written and oral communication skills characterized by candor, openness, integrity, and ability to be diplomatic.
This is a Safety Sensitive position under 63 0.S. 427.8 and is subject to a zero-tolerance drug and alcohol standard in compliance with Oklahoma law.
Current OU Health Employees - Please click HERE to login.
OU Health is an equal opportunity employer. We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including PTO, 401(k), medical and dental plans, and many more. We know that a total benefits and compensation package, designed to meet your specific needs both inside and outside of the work environment, create peace of mind for you and your family.
Position Title:
RN Resident - Registered Nurse - Surgical Specialty - Full Time - Days & Nights AvailableDepartment:
Post Surgical UnitJob Description:
Special Benefits:
Sign-on bonus up to $5,000 for qualified individuals
Student loan repayment up to $25,000
Relocation assistance if moving 100+ miles
Night Shift Stipend (if nights)
The Adult Surgical Specialty Unit is a 30-bed unit at OU Health. We treat a wide variety of patients with varying levels of acuity, both in med/surg and step-down status. We specialize in post-surgical patients in ENT, ORL, bariatrics, plastics, emergency general surgery, general surgery, gynecology, urology, and colorectal service lines as well as many other disease processes. Surgical Specialty offers an excellent opportunity to care for patients in varying levels of acuity that receive innovative surgical care which allows them to live healthier lives.
Location: University of Oklahoma Medical Center
Shift: Full Time/36 hours per week/12hr Shifts/Days & Nights Available
General Description: An OU Health Registered Nurse (RN) I works under general supervision, providing the highest quality of care to patients in a hospital setting with health problems ranging from simple to complex. They model the OU Health Way, as evident in their work output and interactions with employees and patients, through living OU Health’s core values of putting Patients First , pursuing Relentless Excellence , showing Integrity , seeking Inclusion for all staff and patients, always Learning , and valuing Teamwork .
RN I represents the nurse who is a novice or an advanced beginner advancing to competent. While advancing from novice to competent, the nurse relies on rules rather than principles which are independent of specific situations. The advanced beginner may have enough real experience to begin to formulate principles.
Essential Responsibilities
- Aligns behaviors with OU Health values and maintains nursing professional practice standards.
- Assumes responsibility for an assigned patient or group of patients.
- Documents patient responses to nursing interventions and prescribed medical treatments, noting all changes in physician order on assigned patients.
- Assists physician in the examination of patients and in performing minor diagnostic procedures and treatment.
- Obtains and monitors physiological data of patients, observes the physiological manifestations of patients, and intervenes when necessary.
- Administers medication as prescribed.
- Initiates, regulates and monitors intravenous infusions and blood products.
- Delivers patient care safely and competently.
- Resolves patient complaints in a timely manner in accordance with policy and in collaboration with support staff.
- Informs patient and family of hospital procedures and shares care plan during the time of care and at the time of discharge.
- Makes referrals regarding patient care needs to appropriate personnel.
- Fosters a growth mindset through seeking mentorship, remaining open to coaching and feedback, and maintaining professional certification(s)/licensure in order to perpetually develop and uphold the skills required for proficiency within the nursing profession.
- Develops a professional career plan and establishes personal, performance goals in alignment with enterprise-wide metrics, frequently measuring progress with department leadership.
- Fosters an inclusive workforce where individual differences are valued and maximized to achieve OU Health’s winning aspiration.
- Delegates tasks to clinical support staff as needed. Performs other duties as assigned.
-
Minimum Qualifications
Education: Associate's or Bachelor's Degree in Nursing.
Experience: 0-3 years of experience in patient care as a Registered Nurse.
License/Certification/Registration:
- Current Registered Nurse License (RN License issued by the Oklahoma State Board of Nursing, or a current multistate compact Registered Nurse (eNLC)). Basic Life Support (American Heart Association) certification required upon hire.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
- Knowledge of basic professional nursing theory, practices, techniques, and procedures.
- Ability to organize, plan, coordinate, and evaluate nursing services and apply nursing techniques.
- Ability to maintain civility and good working relationships with other employees.
- Ability to respond effectively to cultural and language needs of patients and visitors.
- Skilled in computer applications designed to ensure quality and safety measures for patients.
- Ability to establish and maintain integrity and trust with patients by advocating in the patient’s best interest.
- Ability to engage and manage conflicts and disagreements in a constructive manner.
- Ability to maintain compliance accreditation with local, state, and federal regulatory standards.
- Ability to foster an inclusive workplace where diversity and individual differences are valued and maximized to achieve the vision and mission of the organization. Strong written and oral communication skills characterized by candor, openness, integrity, and ability to be diplomatic.
This is a Safety Sensitive position under 63 0.S. 427.8 and is subject to a zero-tolerance drug and alcohol standard in compliance with Oklahoma law.
Current OU Health Employees - Please click HERE to login.
OU Health is an equal opportunity employer. We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including PTO, 401(k), medical and dental plans, and many more. We know that a total benefits and compensation package, designed to meet your specific needs both inside and outside of the work environment, create peace of mind for you and your family.
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Entry Level Surgical Nurse Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an entry level surgical nurse job?
Start by completing your NCLEX-RN and highlighting any perioperative clinical rotations, scrub technician experience, or surgical internships on your resume. Employers hiring at this level look for familiarity with sterile technique, instrument handling, and OR protocols. A letter of recommendation from a clinical supervisor and any hands-on simulation lab work can give you a meaningful edge over other new grad applicants.
Which companies hire entry level surgical nurses?
Companies hiring entry level surgical nurses right now include CoxHealth, Saint Francis Health System, and Ascension, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. At this level, hiring tends to come from hospital systems, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialty surgical practices that run structured new grad or nurse residency programs.
Are there remote entry level surgical nurse jobs?
Yes, though most surgical nursing roles are hands-on and on-site by nature. About 0% of entry level surgical nurse openings are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and those positions typically involve care coordination, pre-op patient education, or surgical scheduling support rather than direct scrub or circulating duties in the OR.
Are these new grad surgical nurse jobs?
Yes, the listings here include new grad, recent graduate, and junior surgical nurse roles. A posting is generally new-grad friendly when it welcomes zero to two years of experience, accepts clinical rotations or internships in lieu of paid work history, or explicitly mentions a nurse residency or orientation program. Look for language like 'new grads encouraged to apply' or 'training provided' as clear signals.
Which industries hire the most entry level surgical nurses?
Entry Level surgical nurse roles concentrate in Healthcare & Medical Services, Education, and Technology & Software, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. These sectors drive hiring at this level because they operate high-volume surgical programs and rely on structured residency pipelines to build their OR teams from the ground up.