What degree do you need to be a scrub nurse?

To become a scrub nurse, you need to obtain a nursing degree from an accredited nursing program. After that, you have to pass the NCLEX-RN exam and apply to become registered with the Board of Nursing in your state.

Most scrub nurses have received additional surgical scrub training from their hospitals or other accrediting bodies. To continue working in the intraoperative setting with greater responsibility and higher pay, a scrub nurse may choose to pursue further education and become a registered nurse first assistant (RNFA).

If you're interested in scrub nursing, you can pursue an operative nurse certification to specialize in this field. The Certified Nurse Operating Room (CNOR) is a perioperative nursing exam that tests your skills and knowledge specific to operating rooms.

This exam is accredited by two agencies:

• National Commission for Certifying Agencies

• American Board for Specialty Nursing Certification

To sit for the CNOR exam, you must meet these requirements:

• Current and unencumbered RN license

• Current perioperative nurse in nursing education, administration, research, or clinical practice

• Minimum of two years of perioperative nursing experience

• Worked 2400 hours in perioperative nursing

• At least 1200 hours in the intraoperative nursing role

Passing the CNOR exam usually takes two to three months of studying with approved resources. The test is about three hours and 45 minutes long.