Surgical Tech? Anyone have info on this?

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Specializes in PACU, LTC, Med-Surg, Telemetry, Psych.

It seems as of late, I am in a constant state of wondering about new fields. There are definate times asa CNA, I balance myself on the border of burnout and cynicism. Some of my disatisfaction may have come out on this board, as much as I try to be constructive. There are genuine people looking for good advice, and I do try to help as this board is a great read. However, the bottom line is that I am at a point that I have been at for quite some time where I cannot learn or do anything more advanced without training. That fact is soul-crushing.

I have done my research into many different areas as far as to where to go next.

1. I decided against EMT-B as it seems to be a cut and pay and after a long talk with a RN co-worker who went EMT-B all the way to Paramedic before becoming RN.

2. MA seems to be a big ripoff. No jobs.

3. RN is very far away. The school schedule is very inflexible and it would bring hardship on me to miss work

to go to school. There also are many prerequisites and long waiting lists. The schools also have a bad reputation

as wanting to "kick you out" (justifiably or not) from day one.

4. LPN is shorter, has no prerequisites, and less of a waiting list. All the same things that turn me off from RN are generally true of LPN as well. Plus, I would start to feel really taken advantage of if I did almost the same things an RN does while making $10 to $15 an hour less.

5. Anything longer than 2 years like OT/PT is unrealistic in my situation.

However, what have you guys and girls heard about Surgical Tech? Are the jobs available out there? How is the workload? Does this offer me living wage? How are the schools? Are there any bad stories of Surgical Techs with worthless certificates?

As many areas that i have worked, this is one field I never really have a chance to interact with anyone who does this.

Thanks.

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It all depends on where you work. The pay around my area is about $3.00 or $4.00 more than a CNA in the hospital. I've never worked with them personally but have ran across them when I've floated to post partum unit as they're part of that team. I do know that the training is around 12-15 months and their scope of practice is less than a LVN/LPN. If you want a better description and also salary info go to salary.com as that's a great tool. Good Luck

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Specializes in PACU, LTC, Med-Surg, Telemetry, Psych.
It all depends on where you work. The pay around my area is about $3.00 or $4.00 more than a CNA in the hospital. I've never worked with them personally but have ran across them when I've floated to post partum unit as they're part of that team. I do know that the training is around 12-15 months and their scope of practice is less than a LVN/LPN. If you want a better description and also salary info go to salary.com as that's a great tool. Good Luck

Is this 2-3 dollars per hour versus agency or versus facility pay. I make above beginning LPN salary as agency.

Facility pay is ranges from not much above min wage to $10 in my area, while I make 11 to 16 depending on circumstances.

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If you go under "Specialty Nursing" there is a section for OR. I wanted to pursue that myself, but the college near me does not offer evening and weekend classes, only day time which I can not do because I am home with young children during the day. So I am going to pursue becoming an RN, with the hopes of working in an OR someday.

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originally posted by nursecubanitarn2b viewpost.gif

it all depends on where you work. the pay around my area is about
$3.00 or $4.00 more than a cna in the hospital
. i've never worked with them personally but have ran across them when i've floated to post partum unit as they're part of that team. i do know that the training is around 12-15 months and their scope of practice is less than a lvn/lpn. if you want a better description and also salary info go to salary.com as that's a great tool. good luck

is this 2-3 dollars per hour versus agency or versus facility pay. i make above beginning lpn salary as agency.

facility pay is ranges from not much above min wage to $10 in my area, while i make 11 to 16 depending on circumstances.

ones that come from the agency make less.

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Specializes in ICU.

For comparison's sake, at my medium-sized hospital in Tulsa, OK: Our starting CNAs (no experience, hospital pays training) make 9.25/hour. Our starting scrub techs (no experience, have gotten their surgical tech certification already at their own expense) make 11.25/hour + call pay when on call. Both make shift differentials for hours worked after 3pm (and another level after 11pm) and on weekends.

Surgical tech classes in my area at the technical school run about 12-15 months and cost around $1500 in tuition. I'm not sure if that includes supplies and books.

My hospital almost always has job openings for CNAs, but usually only 1 scrub tech opening every 6-12 months and it usually fills fairly quickly.

You will likely be taking a pay cut if you are working as an agency CNA and transition to being a staff surgical tech.

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Specializes in PACU, LTC, Med-Surg, Telemetry, Psych.

Thanks.

I did not even consider asking under OR specialty forum pages. I will probably not because of how some boards feel about double posting questions in two threads. Instead, I am going to google to see if there are any scrub tech specific forums with a FAQ.

I will say this, I would almost be willing to take a slight pay cut to be able to learn some new things and be rid of some of the nastier headaches of CNA. (Families, some mean nurses, low pay, and many other things with go without mentioning) However, I am also aware most CNAs in their right mind want this as well. A scouting trip to surg tech school is also in order.

Thanks

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Specializes in ICU.

Good luck! I always thought that would be a fun job - at least you'll get to use your mind a little more and see some cool things...that was always the hardest part about being a CNA for me, it was mindless repition most days.

I'm sure, like all things, with experience will come pay increases. I hope the market it awesome in your area and it is a good fit for you, if you decide to pursue it! :)

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Specializes in PACU, LTC, Med-Surg, Telemetry, Psych.

After some research, It appears Surgical Techs may have the same thing that plague MAs.

They do have a national org, but it does not seem to help them that much except to put out a magazine where all the 'real' jobs are. Some places are using RNs to do the scrubbing as well.

The only forum I found was Indeed.com which I usually take with a grain of salt because you have a high population of disgruntled job seekers. However, I notice a pattern amongst several thousand posts.

It seems there are jobs, but they only want at least 1 year experience and school does not count. Not many openings at least publicly advertised in my area, either. Some of these jobs are way out in the middle of nowhere and the exclusive domain of agency. Those guys probably frown on no experience as well. Of course, directly applying to HR is messed up as we know everything is internet apps now and they have programs embedded that automatically throw out applications that do not met experience requirements for anything allied health.

Next week, I will talk to a local hospital that I have a good relationship with as an agency CNA and report back with findings.

I will update.

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Specializes in Mother and Baby.

I was just hired as a CNA at a local hospital, and I had thought about doing Surgical Tech too. My advice, get the CNA and get a job in the hospital. The hospital will train you for Surg Tech if you want. There are not as many job postings for a Surg Tech as CNA (I have only seen one or two in the last few months in NC). Hospitals in my area will train you, and will accept experience in place of formal education. Save the money and time.

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Specializes in PACU, LTC, Med-Surg, Telemetry, Psych.
I was just hired as a CNA at a local hospital, and I had thought about doing Surgical Tech too. My advice, get the CNA and get a job in the hospital. The hospital will train you for Surg Tech if you want. There are not as many job postings for a Surg Tech as CNA (I have only seen one or two in the last few months in NC). Hospitals in my area will train you, and will accept experience in place of formal education. Save the money and time.

Already CNA. 5yrs experience and agency for 4. Ill check on the hospital training though, but most hospitals have a reputation of not paying living wages.

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Specializes in surgical.

I am a AS Degree Certified Surgical Tech and I love it. I have traveled to mant states and the money is great. watch out for the company's that don't pay that well because most of the hospitals give them really good money to send a tech,s there, and they get a big bonus if they can offer you less money, so hold out for the $$$$$$. Sunbelt Staffing and Soliant pays very good and they look after their travelers. Just be careful when u choose. do some homework before you sign a contract.

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