I want to look into surgical nursing, but I'm very new to the medical field. Help?

SoldierNurse22, BSN, RN · Jan 9, 2014

I see, but Surgical Techs barely make a living! $42,000 isn't a bad salary. It really depends on your definition of a "living".

I don't want to sound melodramatic, but the standard of living is so high right now... I need to be able to financially support myself and a family. I'm probably leaning more towards RN, I've heard an RN can scrub in.. is that not the case? They can, but again, that is not their primary function in most ORs anymore. Surgical techs have taken over the role of the nurse in the OR when it comes to being directly involved in surgery.

I talked to a West Coast University admissions rep and he said that you take the program (3 years and 3 months) and then you take the license test (forgot the name of it) that's the NCLEX, and then you get to choose your field. Actually, in this economy, you'll look for a job and pray you get one. Whether or not that's in surgery, that's a crap shoot. There are many, many new grad RNs who cannot find work. It isn't a new grad's market.

So what exactly does a "Surgical" Nurse do, if not maintain the OR? They chart. They chart as the surgery is occurring. They get things that are needed by the surgical team. Because they aren't scrubbed in, they can obtain materials that are in sterile wrapping and transfer them to the sterile field for use in surgery.

SoldierNurse22, BSN, RN · Jan 9, 2014

Don't waste a gagillion dollars on a private school if you can attend a state school. I know CSULB has a 2 year BSN, where you go through the summers as well (that's one school I got into, but chose a different CSU that's also 2 years).

Word. This is excellent advice. The college you went to will not matter when you're looking for a job. What matters is passing the NCLEX (licensing exam) and then finding a job.

Editorial Team / Admin · Jan 9, 2014

I see, but Surgical Techs barely make a living! I don't want to sound melodramatic, but the standard of living is so high right now... I need to be able to financially support myself and a family. I'm probably leaning more towards RN, I've heard an RN can scrub in.. is that not the case? I talked to a West Coast University admissions rep and he said that you take the program (3 years and 3 months) and then you take the license test (forgot the name of it), and then you get to choose your field. So what exactly does a "Surgical" Nurse do, if not maintain the OR?

While the RN's scope of practice does allow scrubbing in, many hospitals exclusively utilize surgical technologists in the scrub role because they are cheaper and require a shorter orientation as they have learned in school the specifics of scrubbing. An RN will require a much longer and more in-depth orientation in order to be able to scrub. Depending on facility policy, those with the proper training may be allowed to do a bit more than the minimum. I work in cardiac surgery, where those who have proven themselves competent may close the relatively small leg incision from vein harvest. Some of our personnel in other specialties may also close small incisions (skin only). This will be very dependent upon the facility's policies and hiring patterns.

SaintlyJ · Jan 9, 2014

To the OP, have you considered becoming a Physician Assistant? I've heard of First Assistants that are PA's (and to an extent, some nurse practitioners) that may perform some of the surgical functions that you seem interested in doing, and the financial compensation is probably better as well.

Dranger · Jan 9, 2014

You are looking at more of a PA or RNFA role both require extensive schooling

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Jan 9, 2014

Philadelphia area, RN's can advance to become RN First Assistant (RNFA) with additional education ---course is available at a local community college. Two years experience as Perioperative nurse is prerequisite. Perioperative Nursing, Certificate awarded upon program completion.

NUS 207 - RN First Assistant | Delaware County Community College

Course Description
The knowledge and technique necessary to assuming responsibilities of the RN First Assistant are emphasized. The role diversity of the first assistant is explored in its interdependent relationship, as the nurse works both with the physician and for the benefit of the patient. The nursing diagnosis is used as the defining guide in planning and implementing patient care. Expanded functions are stressed and elaborated as the nurse is prepared to assume responsibility in scrubbing, draping, retracting, exposing, clamping, ligating and suturing. Intellectual and manual dexterity are combined to prepare the nurse with the essential skills necessary to this expanded professional role.
The College recognizes AORN's position statement on the role of the RN First Assistant. The program meets AORN Education Standards and is accepted by the Competency and Credentialing Institute for Perioperative Nursing.
Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:
Trace the historical role of the nurse in the operating room.
Apply principles of asepsis, infection control, physical assessment and the nursing process. Review surgical anatomy, physiology and operative techniques related to first assisting. Recognize surgical hazards and initiate appropriate corrective and preventive action. Validate intraoperative nursing behaviors of handling tissue, providing exposure, using surgical instruments, suturing and providing hemostasis.

Physician Assisitant's (PA) also assist surgeons in OR --especially cardiac and ortho groups. Do your homework well, ask local hospitals education department to shadow each specialty before choosing career path.

theperfectday0 · Jan 9, 2014

Thank you all so much for taking time off of your day to help me clear up my concerns.

I truly appreciate all the wonderful insight.

That being said, What exactly is a RNFA and PA. Like what programs would I need to take for that? And what role do they play in a hospital?

I truly am sorry, I am very new to medical terminology.

P.S. I would LOVE to study to become a surgeon, I am infatuated with surgery. I watch them all day online haha. But it's way too many years that I don't have the ability to commit to studying. All the years of school, and then internship, and fellowship, etc... by the time I get to even make an incision I'll lose my mind! haha.

I will look into the PA and RNFA online, but direct answers from experienced nurses are a lot more knowledgable and understandable. Thanks!

RunBabyRN · Jan 10, 2014

PA= physician's assistant. :)

Dranger · Jan 10, 2014

PA= physician's assistant. :)

No apostrophe in physician, PAs will grill you on that lol

Graduation2016 · Jan 10, 2014

As a surgical tech or scrub tech you are responsible for instruments and all the sterile factors in the OR. You may have an assistant who may hold retractors and use the Bovie (cautherize) who mainly are PA's. They can also suture at the end. PA's go through PA school after they have a bachelors degree. PA school is about 2 more years. As a nurse you can be a RNFA which is registered nurse first assistant and they also do as much as the PA. The surgical tech will not make more than an RN or a PA. A PA actually can make more than an RN. Surgical techs are not licensed like the PA and the RN, they're certified. As on OB scrub tech, I assist in every aspect of the surgery, we usually have the Dr. and an RNFA who works with some of the dr.'s or sometimes it's only me and the Dr. And I have to handle instruments, load suture and also retract and help getting the baby out and sometimes I also staple when we are finished and put the dressings on. As a scrub tech you are responsible for all counts with the RN who's circulating. The circulating RN basically charts the whole procedure, start time, what happens during the case, end time, etc. they are not scrubbed in so they can get extra suture, extra sponges or any extra items needed that you cannot get because you're scrubbed in. If you really want to perform surgery you need to go to med school and then specialize in surgery. 10-12 years of schooling altogether. Good luck!

Jentry · Jan 17, 2014

Okay, so I'm new to allnurses. I've been reading all the newsletters and have found this topic particularly interesting. I too am interested in surgical nursing. I am planning on starting nursing school in the fall (provided I get accepted). Surgical nursing is my biggest area of interest. I've noticed, however that not many nurses are first assists anymore. Is there still a first assist program out there for RN's? Do hospitals still take nurses as first assists, provided they attend a first assist program? It seems like all the surgical techs and PA's are the most involved with the surgeries. I'm pretty set on nursing school, though and not PA or surgical tech school.

Does anyone have any advice?

Thanks!

righteousjenn · Jan 17, 2014

I don't know if anyone has said this, but if you really want to assist in surgery, become a Physician's Assistant. They get to be elbows deep in a patient right along the surgeon