I'm going to be attending and LPN program, and I'm aiming for my RN and eventually would like to become a Scrub Nurse. In one of the clinicals that we go through is Med/Surg and we get to go into surgeries. My Question is do I have to become an RN to be able to become a Scrub Nurse or can I be an LPN and do it while I get my RN? And any advice you can give me as to ways of obtaining extra training to become a Scrub Nurse? Is there a certain continuing education to take or is it train on the job? If there is a certain CEU, which one is the best to take?Thank you very much for taking your time to read my post:D 0 Likes
Penelope_Pitstop, BSN, RN Has 13 years experience. 2,365 Posts Dec 31, 2010 A lot of hospitals have Scrub Techs and don't use nurses in the scrub position. When I worked OR, I had to learn how to scrub, but in my position as OR nurse was not expected to do it unless I absolutely needed to due to emergency situations. We used techs.The children's hospital near me uses LPNs in the scrub position. 0 Likes
daVinciNurse Specializes in OR. Has 13 years experience. 76 Posts Dec 31, 2010 I have worked in a facility that actually had more LPNs than CSTs in the "scrub tech" role. Scrubbing is NOT part of LPN school though. (At least not that I know of!) Some of the LPNs had come from the L&D unit where they had scrubbed C-sections, others went through the same periop training class required of RNs without prior OR experience. The facility I am in now has NO LPNs in the OR. Not to say they wouldn't hire one if they had an applicant, but they would need more training than a newly graduated ST would. All the facilities I have worked in have allowed RNs to scrub, but it is not a routine assignment to have the RN scrub. Not all RNs are comfortable scrubbing either. Personally, I LOVE scrubbing, just wish I could do it more frequently. 0 Likes
Argo Specializes in Peri-Op. Has 10 years experience. 1,221 Posts Dec 31, 2010 I know quite a few lpn scrubs. They all were either scrub techs before lpn or did the program afterwards. It would be very hard to impossible to get someplace to hire a fresh lpn and train them to scrub. 0 Likes
canesdukegirl, BSN, RN Specializes in Trauma Surgery, Nursing Management. Has 14 years experience. 8 Articles; 2,543 Posts Dec 31, 2010 Hey Argo, can LPNs circulate? I have never thought to ask this. 0 Likes
jessrene, LPN Specializes in OR. Has 4 years experience. 28 Posts Dec 31, 2010 lpn's cannot circulate that I know of. 0 Likes
ORNurse2B Has 2 years experience. 17 Posts Jan 2, 2011 Thank you for the replies :). What kind of extra education would I need to pursue for scrubbing in? 0 Likes
