Poll: Scrub or Circulate?

IsseyM · Apr 12, 2007

If you had to choose between only scrubbing or only circulating for the rest of your career, and the pay was the same for both, which would you choose and why?

Circulate. I didn't care too much for the scrubbing part because my back and shoulders ached so bad. I don't like to stand in one spot for a long time. I like to move around and i also don't mind running for supplies. Another thing i didn't like about scrubbing is that there is always a chance of getting cut or poked with a sharp instrument. I've talked to some surgeons, nurses and techs who got hepatitis from getting cut or poked.

ginger58, ASN, RN · Apr 12, 2007

Circulate. I also like the idea of being able to move around more, be more independent. Less risk of cuts or pokes. Not gowned up as it gets pretty stuffy under those gowns.

tessa_RN · Apr 14, 2007

Scrub...Dont get me wrong I like to circulate but when you are working midnights with only one scrub tech and a nurse which is me it gets hectic being the only nurse there...I would rather scrub because there are a few of the scrub nurses and techs that drive me nuts..They seem not to have any of the basic things by the time the doc gets there and I am running my butt off to go get them..I have one tech in particular that if I am in a room with him I know I am going to be running to get things all evening..But I would rather scrub..I love scrubbing when I get the chance...But I love circulating too when I have a good scrub in the room with me..I love interacting with the patients..Like if they are scared before they are going to sleep just holding there hand making them feel better is great..

Annabelle07 · Apr 15, 2007

I started out as a Surg. Tech. so scrubbing will always be my first love. However, as I have gotten older it is more difficult to stand in one spot for long periods of time. Also,some of the positions you have to contort your body into for those "here, hold this retractor" occassions really hurts!!