Post Graduate Certificate Course in Operation Theatre Nursing
OR
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Last updated on 09 Sep 2025
Overview
The Post Graduate Certificate Course in Operation Theater Nursing is a specialized program designed for registered nurses. It focuses on preparing nurses to manage and assist in surgical procedures within an operating room. This course falls under the specialty of nursing and surgery. The duration typically ranges from 6 months to 1 year, depending on the institution. It covers topics such as surgical instruments, anesthesia care, sterile techniques, patient monitoring, and emergency procedures.

Table of Content
What is a Postgraduate Certificate course in Operation Theater nursing?
A Post Graduate Certificate Course in Operation Theater (OT) Nursing is a complicated program to help registered nurses receive advanced knowledge and practical skills to work in operating rooms and surgical departments. The course prepares nurses to act as surgical assistants in operating rooms, their responsibilities involving providing sterile rooms, taking care of surgical tools, and ensuring patient safety throughout the process of perioperative process.
The certification is kind of obligatory for those working in multispecialty hospitals and doubly obligatory in case a person wants to become a scrub nurse or a surgical nurse coordinator, or become a nurse specializing in surgical nursing.
Highlights:
Particulars | Postgraduate Certificate course in Operation Theater nursing |
Course Type | Postgraduate Certificate |
Duration | 6 months to 1 year
|
Eligibility | BSc Nursing / GNM with registration
|
Admission Process | Direct / Interview-based |
Fees | ₹40,000 – ₹1,00,000
|
Colleges in India | Apollo Hospitals AIIMS Christian Medical College Amrita Institute NIMS University Ganpat University Krishna Institute of Nursing Sciences. Karad Eklavya University Adesh University Armed Forces Medical College |
Job Roles | OT Nurse Scrub Nurse Circulating Nurse Surgical Nurse Coordinator Instrument Technician (with additional training) Anesthesia Nurse (with further qualification) OT Supervisor or Team Leader in multispecialty hospitals ICU Nurse (with dual certification) Perioperative nurse Operating Theatre Teacher |
Eligibility:
BSc Nursing or General Nursing and Midwifery
Must have registration with the State Nursing Council
Candidates with 1+ years of clinical experience may be preferred by some institutions.
Duration:
Operation Theater Nurse Training lasts for 6 months to 1 year, depending on the institution and clinical posting structure.
Fees:
Surgical Nursing Course fees are ₹40,000 – ₹1,00,000. However, some hospitals offer paid internships or stipends during training, and also scholarships or fee waivers may be available through hospital-based programs.
Who Should Do This Course?
Registered nurses aiming to specialize in operation theater nursing
GNM or BSc Nursing graduates looking for clinical skill advancement
Nurses seeking career growth in perioperative care and surgical nursing
Nursing professionals preparing for jobs in ICUs, trauma centers, or surgical hospitals
Why Study This Course?
Enhances professional competence in surgical and sterile techniques
They are in high demand in the hospital, particularly in cities’ multispecialty setups
It will give your resume some weight and will open career prospects in a foreign country
Allows nurses to feel more comfortable taking up emergency surgery and complicated procedures
Entrance Exam
Most institutes admit on a first-come-first-serve or merit basis
Some hospital-run programs may conduct basic interviews
Admission Process
The OT Nurse Course Admission Process is:
Apply to the college or hospital training center
Attach nursing registration proof and academic documents
Appear for the interview (if required)
Pay admission fees and start orientation
Syllabus:
Semesters/Years | Topics Covered |
Year 1 | OT Techniques: Pre-op & post-op procedures, sterilization, surgical hand washing |
Year 2 | Instrumentation: Handling surgical tools, trolleys, suture materials, laparoscopic instruments
|
Year 3 | Anesthesia Care: Basic anesthetic monitoring, pre-medication prep |
Year 4 | Safety Measures: Infection control, patient positioning, fire & electrical safety |
Hands-on training | Clinical Posting Assisting in real surgeries (orthopedic, general, neuro, obstetric) |
Top Colleges / Institutes:
- Apollo Hospitals
- AIIMS
- Christian Medical College
- Amrita Institute
- NIMS University
- Ganpat University
- Krishna Institute of Nursing Sciences. Karad
- Eklavya University
- Adesh University
- Armed Forces Medical College
Scope
Work in hospital surgical departments, trauma centers, and day-care surgery units
Placement in ICUs, emergency departments, laparoscopic centers, and more
Job opportunities in military hospitals, international hospitals, and cruise line clinics
Increased chance of overseas placement (UK, UAE, Australia, Canada)
Further Study Options
MSc in Operation Theater and Anesthesia Technology
Diploma in Critical Care or Emergency Nursing
Certification in Laparoscopic Nursing / Robotic Surgery Assistance
IELTS/OET for international nursing registration
Career Opportunities after This Course:
- OT Nurse
- Scrub Nurse
- Circulating Nurse
- Surgical Nurse Coordinator
- Instrument Technician (with additional training)
- Anesthesia Nurse (with further qualification)
- OT Supervisor or Team Leader in multispecialty hospitals
- ICU Nurse (with dual certification)
- Perioperative nurse
- Operating Theatre Teacher
Salary:
Experience level | Salary Range |
Entry-level | ₹2.5 – ₹4.5 LPA |
Experienced | ₹5 – ₹8 LPA |
Abroad | ₹15 – ₹30 LPA equivalent |
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FAQS
What is a Post Graduate Certificate Course in Operation Theater Nursing?
Post Graduate Certificate Course in Operation Theater Nursing is a highly specific course for nurses who have become registered to manage surgical-related matters with higher skills and knowledge. It educates the nurses on pre-, intra-, and post-operative patient care, instrumentation for the surgery, methods of sterilization, and infection vaccination. The course will also deal with coordinating team members during any surgery or emergency response within the operation theaters. It equips the nurses with critical areas in hospitals, surgical
facilities, and trauma departments. The course combines clinical skills and narrow surgical support, enabling nurses to become effective in a multidisciplinary surgical team.
Who is eligible to apply for the Post Graduate Certificate Course in Operation Theater Nursing?
Qualification to take this course is the completion of a BSc Nursing or General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) program. The applicants are to be registered nurses by a State Nursing Council and may require one year or more of clinical experience, ideally in the surgical or critical care environment. The program will suit nurses interested in developing competencies in operating procedures, immediate care, assisting surgery, and nursing care so that they become more employable in multispecialty hospitals and emergency surgery units.
What is the fee structure for the Post Graduate Certificate Course in Operation Theater Nursing?
The fee in the Post Graduate Certificate Course in Operation Theater Nursing varies based on the time of the course and the institution providing the course, besides facilities with greater and lesser fees varying between 25,000 to 80,000 rupees.
How does this course differ from a Diploma in Operation Theater Technology (DOTT)?
Both of the courses involving surgical care are similar; however, the Post Graduate Certificate in OT Nursing is specifically designed to serve registered nurses and pay attention to patient care during surgery and sterile use techniques, as well as the roles of a nurse. The Diploma in Operation Theater Technology (DOTT), on the other hand, is a course for 12th pass students and deals with the technicality and equipment handling part of the operation theater, including outfitting of operation rooms, care of operation room equipment and maintenance of operation room equipments including surgical equipments and anesthesia machines.
What is the admission process for the Post Graduate Certificate Course in Operation Theater Nursing?
The admission procedure is usually made up of filling out an application form both online and offline, and then document verification forms, which involve nursing certificates, registration certificates, and experience letters. An individual interview or a written entrance exam might be applied to evaluate the basic knowledge of nursing in some institutes.
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Qualifications
Diploma in Nursing
BSc Nursing
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