Graduating nursing school in May but I just want to scrub.

Davey Do · Mar 31, 2016

Interesting situation, Axmann! I was going to suggest that you post in the OR forum, but it seems you already have! Casting your nets in various waters, eh?

It's been nearly 30 years since I worked in OR, both as an LPN Scrub Nurse, then both Scrub and Circulating as an RN. Both positions have their good points; both were enjoyable.

I'm interested to read what the current OR Professionals say.

Good luck in your endeavor, Axmann!

nutella, MSN, RN · Mar 31, 2016

So, I'm graduating from my BSN program in August.
I have around 200 hours in the OR in clinicals and I have seen what the roles are.
Here's my conundrum: I just want to scrub, not circulate. I'm actually afraid that if I get my BSN *and* my CST, they would never hire me as a CST if they found out I was an RN.
I would GLADLY take a lower pay and do what I love than have a higher pay and have to do something I hate.
I *KNOW* how crazy it sounds but now I'm starting to wonder whether I should stop my BSN degree to get a CST. Or should I go the RNFA route?
All I know is that I want to be able to be a full-time scrub at a major hospital, without having to circulate.
I'm in desperate need of advice =/

My advice is not to limit yourself and finish your BSN.

The problem is that right now you may want to scrub only but along the road you just don't know. Things could change in your life , your interests may change and so on. With a BSN you will be more marketable and if you wanted to go to graduate school for any reason, it will be easier.

Major hospitals want to see BSN's and not ADNs.

But that is just my 2 cents.

Also, who knows where you will be in a couple from years from now - I have moved across the continents and a CST would not have been enough to get me working as a nurse here in the US. August is almost here..

roser13, ASN, RN · Mar 31, 2016

Should I tell you how many OR staff of a certain age have transferred to the pre-op/post-op areas in my ASC, simply because it's more body-friendly? You are likely a young 'un & not worried about that issue, but if you limit your education to CST, that option will not be available to you.

klone, MSN, RN · Mar 31, 2016

Hopefully some OR nurses will chime in, but I think you can take extra training to be a first assist.

Rocknurse, MSN, APRN, NP · Mar 31, 2016

I would also love to work as a First Assist, but as an NP. I have made inquiries and it may be an option to pursue once I graduate as an NP. As a BSN nurse with a CNOR certification you can be a first assist. Here's the link: CRNFA certification

Axmann, RN, BSN, NREMT-B · Mar 31, 2016

Either way, I do plan on getting a CST, even after I get my BSN. It would be sort of insane to quit now. If nothing else, I can get an RNFA.

But the question still stands: would any hospital in their right mind hire an RN/CST as simply a CST if I were to explain that I don't mind being paid a CST salary and that it's what I *want* to do? If anything, in that case I wouldn't have to be trained as long.

Axmann, RN, BSN, NREMT-B · Mar 31, 2016

And, if I somehow find out I've screwed myself out of what I'm wanting to do by getting a BSN, could I just choose not to renew my license, and choose not to disclose my BSN?

Horseshoe, BSN, RN · Mar 31, 2016

I think it WOULD be insane to not finish your BSN so late in the game. At some point, you may get tired of scrubbing in and want to make a change. You will have screwed yourself by not getting that.

You may someday decide you want to be a CRNA or an advanced practitioner in OR or even another field. You need to admit that you only know what you want today; you, like many humans before you, may someday change your mind.

I know RNFAs. I work with one in an OR. She's great. She also works PRN on the side occasionally in a pain clinic. Good thing she didn't let her license lapse and sell herself short salary wise by agreeing to be paid less.

Loves2scrub · Mar 31, 2016

I agree with previous posters about finishing your BSN. I was a scrub tech for 12 years before I went to nursing school. I loved it for many years, but the day eventually came when I wanted to do something else. If I had never became a nurse, I would not have had the opportunity to do other things. Circulating is not as glamorous as scrubbing, but it is still a great skill to add to your resume. Being able to both scrub and circulate will make you a better OR nurse. After I got my license, I still mainly scrubbed because that was my preference, and my facility needed scrubs. Taking a scrub position for less money is crazy talk! Get that BSN and find a place who will use you as a scrub while making every penny you are worth!

ArrowRN, BSN, RN · Apr 1, 2016

I agree with previous posters about finishing your BSN. I was a scrub tech for 12 years before I went to nursing school. I loved it for many years, but the day eventually came when I wanted to do something else. If I had never became a nurse, I would not have had the opportunity to do other things. Circulating is not as glamorous as scrubbing, but it is still a great skill to add to your resume. Being able to both scrub and circulate will make you a better OR nurse. After I got my license, I still mainly scrubbed because that was my preference, and my facility needed scrubs. Taking a scrub position for less money is crazy talk! Get that BSN and find a place who will use you as a scrub while making every penny you are worth!

Just going a bit off topic cause I also have interest in OR. As an RN in OR, where do they normally start new nurses out as? To Circulate or to scrub? and is the RN also required to work in pre-op post op scrub and circulate areas, basically all areas of OR before they can get to first assist?

Loves2scrub · Apr 2, 2016

Just going a bit off topic cause I also have interest in OR. As an RN in OR, where do they normally start new nurses out as? To Circulate or to scrub? and is the RN also required to work in pre-op post op scrub and circulate areas, basically all areas of OR before they can get to first assist?

in the OR I was in, new nurses were brought in through the peri-op nurse intern program. These nurses would train to circulate first, then learn to scrub if they wanted too. We did not work in holding, or the PACU. My facility originally would train nurses to first assist after a period of time. Now, however, they prefer OR nurses who have completed RNFA certification.