Travel Registered Nurse OR Job

Step into a pivotal role as a Travel Registered Nurse in the Operating Room, based in Bakersfield, California, where your surgical precision and patient-centered approach can make a lasting impact every day. This opportunity blends high-level OR nursing with the freedom to grow across diverse clinical settings, enriching your expertise while you deliver exceptional care. California’s sunlit valleys and vibrant communities accompany your professional journey, offering not only stimulating case variety but also moments of exploration in a state famed for its natural beauty, coveted coastline, and year-round outdoor adventures. From the foothills surrounding the Sierra Nevada to scenic drives along dramatic coastlines and nearby national parks, you’ll find inspiration beyond the nurse’s station and warmth within the teams you join.

Location benefits extend well beyond Bakersfield’s welcoming healthcare landscape. You’ll operate within a thriving medical ecosystem that values collaboration, evidence-based practice, and patient safety, while enjoying a community that supports work-life balance and professional accomplishment. Bakersfield provides access to excellent ancillary resources, ongoing education, and a network of experienced perioperative specialists, all within a reasonable commute and a lower cost of living compared with many coastal markets. The role also opens the door to opportunities across the United States through our expansive travel network, enabling you to gain exposure to a variety of patient populations, hospital cultures, and operating room technologies while maintaining the security of a robust support system, wherever your assignments may take you.

In this OR RN role, you will be at the center of surgical care, ensuring smooth, efficient, and safe operations from patient admission through post-anesthesia recovery. Your day-to-day responsibilities include assisting the surgical team with sterile technique, instrument handling, and the setup and turnover of the OR between cases. You’ll support anesthesia providers, monitor patient status intraoperatively, verify patient identity and procedure details, and help manage equipment, implants, and supplies. You will collaborate with surgeons, circulating nurses, scrub techs, and perioperative staff to minimize risks, optimize patient outcomes, and promote best practices in infection control and patient safety. This position provides meaningful avenues for professional growth within the OR specialty, including exposure to a broad range of procedures, the chance to refine critical thinking under pressure, and opportunities to pursue leadership or specialty certification tracks as you demonstrate excellence in patient care and teamwork.

We offer competitive compensation designed to recognize your expertise: weekly pay ranging from $2,189 to $2,341, with additional incentives such as a sign-on bonus and housing assistance to ease transition and relocation. The role also presents extension opportunities, allowing you to deepen your experience with trusted teams and explore longer-term placements that align with your career goals. You will benefit from comprehensive support, including 24/7 assistance from our travel-centric staffing team, ensuring you have real-time access to clinical guidance, scheduling adjustments, and logistical help as you navigate assignments across the country. Our program emphasizes continuity of care for patients and consistency in your professional journey, backed by a dedicated support network that prioritizes your well-being and success—even while you are on the move.

Our company values empower you to grow from skilled clinician to confident leader. We are committed to cultivating a work environment that fosters career advancement, continuous learning, and personal resilience. Expect mentorship from seasoned perioperative professionals, structured onboarding, ongoing education, performance feedback, and clear pathways to elevated responsibilities. We champion a culture where your voice matters, where teamwork thrives, and where diverse experiences are celebrated as strengths that elevate patient care. You’ll join a community that respects your contributions, recognizes your dedication, and actively supports your development every step of the way.

If you’re ready to elevate your OR nursing practice while exploring California’s richness and the broader travel opportunities across the U.S., this is your moment. Apply now to join a company that values your expertise, respects your career aspirations, and stands beside you with steadfast support as you deliver high-quality perioperative care. Start date is March 16, 2026, with a duration noted in weeks and a compensation package that reflects your skill and commitment. While this role offers flexibility, know that the hours and pay rates provided are estimates and may vary; final compensation packages and guaranteed hours will be confirmed during the hiring process. Take the next step—embrace competitive pay, robust housing support, professional growth, and the chance to make a meaningful difference in OR nursing while discovering the diverse beauty of California and beyond.

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About TLC Nursing

TLC Healthforce is a nationwide travel healthcare staffing agency pairing Nursing and Allied Health professionals with high-quality travel and local contracts across the U.S.

ShiftShield™ – Traveler Protection

ShiftShield™ protects travelers from preventable facility-driven cancellations and ensures fair compensation for schedule disruptions.

Why Travelers Choose TLC

• Competitive weekly pay


• Fast credentialing


• 24/7 recruiter & clinical support


• Nationwide assignments

Referral Bonus

Earn up to $1,000 per referral — no employment required.

EEO Statement

TLC Healthforce is an Equal Opportunity Employer.