Lori Beaver, RN, BSN, director of surgery at Gothenburg Health, earned her Certified Nurse of the Operating Room (CNOR) credential in December 2025, marking a significant milestone in her nearly 30‑year nursing career.
Beaver’s achievement aligns with Gothenburg Health’s commitment to delivering high‑quality surgical care. The hospital’s surgical center has been voted Best of the Region for four consecutive years, a recognition built on professional expertise, consistency and community trust.
Gothenburg Health’s 3,900‑square‑foot perioperative wing includes two fully equipped Stryker surgical suites, an endoscopy suite, pre‑ and post‑procedure staging areas, and advanced decontamination and sterilization technology. Both emergency and elective procedures are performed on site — from general surgery to obstetrical and gynecological care — with individualized attention from a familiar, tight‑knit surgical team.
Beaver joined Gothenburg Health in 2024. While CNOR certification is not a job requirement, she said achieving it was deeply meaningful. She said the credential represents a long-held personal goal.
“I love what I do, and this is a huge personal accomplishment,” she said. She encourages others in the field to pursue professional growth whenever possible.
Lori Beaver, RN, BSN, director of surgery at Gothenburg Health
The CNOR credential is a nationally recognized designation for operating room nurses who meet strict professional standards. Candidates must have at least two years of operating room experience, pass a comprehensive exam, and renew every five years by working in perioperative nursing and completing 125 continuing-education credits.
Beaver passed the 200‑question exam. The moment she saw her results, she said, she cried.
“Whenever I see someone with the CNOR credentials, I think it displays a personal commitment to his or her profession,” she said.
In March 2025, she applied for — and received — a $400 grant from the Association of Operating Room Nurses (AORN) to cover the exam fee. She registered for the exam in September and spent the fall continuing her studies before taking the test in December.
“It’s a true calling,” she said. “Those of us who work in surgery love what we do. As an operating room nurse, I wanted to be certified for personal improvement as a level of expertise and to prove to myself that I could do it.”
At Gothenburg Health, patients receive individualized attention from a small, experienced surgical team, including Beaver, who emphasize comfort, familiarity, and high-quality care.
For more information, visit gothenburghealth.org.
