Operating Room Nursing - RN

As of May 2023, the Operating Room Nursing - RN program is now approved by the Operating Room Nurses Association of Canada. https://ornac.ca/en/education/rnfa-programs.

The Operating Room - RN certificate program includes:

• Four intensive online theory and lab-based courses in eight weeks
• Theory learning asynchronous and virtual sessions daily Mondays - Thursdays
• Weekly onsite labs scheduled by the Program Advisor (Saturday or Sunday)
• Full-time clinical placement six weeks (240 hours)

Program Description

The Operating Room Nursing - RN certificate program is designed for registered nurses (RNs)& seeking to transition to perioperative nursing. This certificate is based on the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) competencies for perioperative nurses, current research, and adheres to the current Operating Room Nurses Association of Canada (ORNAC) Standards, Guidelines, and Position Statements for Perioperative Registered Nurses.

After successful completion of the theory/lab courses, learning will shift to an in hospital clinical placement. This will consist of 240 hours (6 weeks, full time) with a focus on demonstration of scrub and circulating skills at the novice level. Humber College appoints OR nurse Facilitators to oversee and support all nurses during clinical placements. This program academically prepares successful students for the Perioperative Certification Exam.

Application Process

Registration in this program is for CNO registered nurses entitled to practice without restrictions. It is advisable to have either acute care hospital nursing work experience or prior operating room nurse work (international) however this is not required. New grads are welcome to apply. Self-apply, employer-recommended, and sponsored nurses may apply. Successful candidates will be offered admission into the program through the program advisor.

NEW! Are you working as an RPN in the OR but have now become registered as an RN? If so, bridging to the Operating Room Nursing - RN program is available! For more information visit this page OPER RPN to RN Bridging.

Applications for the September 2026 intake will open on April 13, 2026, and close on June 1, 2026.

We encourage all interested candidates to apply promptly as spots fill up quickly, and applications will be reviewed on a first come basis. Admission decisions will be communicated by June 15th, 2026.

SOME NURSES MAY CHOOSE TO OBTAIN A CLINICAL PLACEMENT INDEPENDENTLY. PLEASE NOTE ANY CLINICAL PLACEMENT ARRANGEMENTS IN YOUR APPLICATION.

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