OPERATING ROOM NURSE

Operate Above the Rest

Designed to teach nurses to function in the operating room. A major portion of the experience will take place in operating rooms around San Diego, with opportunities to practice and circulate.

Learn More. Earn More.

Southwestern College’s Peri-operative Nursing Program has been offered since August 2011 and follows the AORN's PERIOP 101 curriculum. The program has widely received acknowledgment from the community for its signature Perioperative Nurses training. 

Applicants are strongly recommended to have current basic nursing skills in all of the following areas: starting IV’s, administration of medication through IV, basic dosage calculations, taking vital signs, foley catheter placement, blood transfusions, dressing changes and interpersonal communication skills. It is helpful if students have clinical sponsors. 

Upon completion of certification requirements, the graduate is eligible to apply to take the AORN Periop 101 certification examination for Registered Nursing.

Application

Applicants must hold a current California RN license. ORN Program application packets will be accepted:

April 7 - May 30, 2025

The application packet can be submitted in person or by U.S. Mail. If sending by mail, your application packet must be postmarked by the deadline to be considered. Students admitted to the program will start the Fall semester (in August). 

Use the checklist which accompanies the program application as a guide to help you prepare and gather all required documents and forms needed when applying for the program.

Update related to Covid-19 vaccine: Major Healthcare Systems in San Diego County require students and faculty to be fully vaccinated for Covid-19. Students and faculty must have the most recent Covid-19 booster recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Applicants to any Nursing and Health Occupations Program (ADN, VN-Step-up, VN, CNA, Acute Care CNA, Surgical Technology, Central Service Technician, and Operating Room Nurse) will be required to submit proof of vaccine status and most recent booster at time of application (Rev. 10-10-24).

ORN Program Application Checklist & Application (PDF) (rev. 10/2024)

Physical Exam and Immunization forms (PDF)

ORN Program information flyer (PDF) (rev. 9/2024)

We would like to invite public comments about our nursing program in writing to directly to the AORN. Contact information is provided below. 

Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses
2170 South Parker Rd, Suite 400, Denver, CO 80231
Phone: 1-800-755-2676 | Local 303-755-6300 | Fax: 800-847-0045
Email: custsvc@aorn.org

Degrees/Certificates Available

• Certificates of Proficiency