Perioperative 101 Program (RN) - O.R. Perioperative Services (March start date)

Perioperative 101 Program (March 2026 start date)
Operating Room, Medical Center, Main Campus

This position is for the Periop 101 program, a 9-month program for nurses combining Association of peri-Operative Registered Nurses (AORN) approved online didactic learning with clinical skills labs and experiences in the Operating Room. It is a Full-time, benefited position.

The Main OR operates 26 operating room suites and is dedicated to providing care for adult and pediatric patients (Thoracic, General, GYN, urology, Plastics, ENT, Eyes, Orthopedics, Cardiac, Vascular, Neuro and Transplant), to include trauma. Typical schedule is 10 hour shifts to include call for Holidays (Note the first 9 weeks will be 8 hour days). The ultimate goal of the Operating Room is to provide the right care in the right place and the right time for our patients who seek our surgical services.

The program begins with participation in selected Periop Orientation offerings, which are integrated with Perioperative Nursing content. Upon successful completion of the didactic portion of training, the nurse is paired with a mentor in the circulating role for a designated period of time. Following this, the nurse spends time in each of the surgical specialties offered at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center before choosing a surgical service in which to specialize their nursing practice.

Retention Bonus for commitment of 2 years following completion of training period. (paid in installments)

The program starts on March 16, 2026. All accepted applicants are required to successfully pass the New Hampshire N-CLEX Exam for RN's prior to their start date. No accepted applicants will be allowed to enroll unless they are licensed as a registered nurse in New Hampshire. Experienced nurses looking to change tracks to the Operating Room should also apply.

Participants in this program pay no fee, but they are paid full salary and benefits during this program. This DHMC commitment to the participants in this program is balanced with a commitment from each student to work full-time for two years in the operating room at DHMC upon successful completion of the program. The program is concentrated mainly on the circulator role.

The operating room is a physically demanding, high stress environment. Exposure to blood and body fluids, communicable diseases, chemicals, radiation, and repetitive motions is a possibility. Physical requirements include: Full range of body motion including handling and lifting patients, pushing and pulling heavy objects, standing and walking for extensive periods of time, lifting and carrying items weighing up to 50 pounds, corrected vision and hearing to within normal range, manual and finger dexterity, hand and eye coordination, and working irregular hours including call hours.

• Graduate from an accredited Nursing Program required.
• Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing (BSN) preferred.

Required Licensure/Certifications

Dartmouth Health offers a total compensation package that includes a comprehensive selection of benefits. Our Core Benefits include medical, dental, vision and life insurance, short and long term disability, paid time off, and retirement plans. Click here for information on these benefits and more: Benefits | DHMC and Clinics Careers

Dartmouth Health is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.