Process for shadowing an OR nurse?

Each facility is likely going to have its own policy on shadowing. In mine, we don't allow people to shadow unless they are medical students, PA students, or nursing students who are doing their observation day in the OR, or as part of orientation for a select population of post-surgical nurses (orthopedic and cardiac only). We don't allow willy nilly observers in the door- it's an infection control issue and a HIPAA issue. For those who do wish to observe and aren't already employees, they must complete online education modules and receive approval from the nurse manager and the chief of surgery.

You may or may not be given the opportunity to observe during school. You may or may not have the opportunity to select a capstone or practicum in a perioperative area. You may or may not have the opportunity to work as a nurse extern in the OR, depending on whether or not the OR at a particular facility allows nurse externs in the OR. You could look into working as a patient care assistant in the OR- many facilities may hire unlicensed assistive personnel for tasks including assisting with patient positioning, gathering equipment for the next case, turning over rooms between cases, etc.