Difference in role between LVN/ST and RN in the OR?

Specialties Operating Room

Published

I'm an LVN and have considered getting my ST as there are many OR jobs advertised for LVNs with an ST certification. However, for about the same amount of school I could get my RN and apply to a new grad-RN OR position.

My wife is an RN and tells me I would prefer the ST job as they work closer with the MD and do more technical work compared to RN. I'm up in the air on it, because I really dread nursing school. I'm a 4.0 student, I just can't stand all the nonsense work-group projects, having to do all those rotations like OB etc. again.

I will complete the ADN for the better job, better pay etc. and that's what I was hoping someone with some experience could shed some light on for me-the different roles and maybe their opinion of the two roles.

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You might benefit from a shadow day in the OR to see the roles up close.

Where I work we use mostly surgical techs but some RNs scrub in. These are the people that stay completely sterile and work next to the Dr.s They hand instruments, and keep the sterile field organized.Depending on amount of education etc they may be able to help suture and minor things but not a standard surgical tech. The circulator is not sterile. We interview the patient, position them in the room, set and pull equipment, chart, and are able to run for things needed during the case. Well, plus a whole lot more but you can see if you shadow.

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From a purely financial standpoint you should go the RN route. You will make double the money if not more. As a RN you can scrub or you can circulate whereas a ST can only fulfill one role. If you aren't happy in the OR as a RN you will have more opportunities and flexability available to you. Get some documentation from both programs to do a comparison. I also like the idea of a shadow.

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Specializes in O.R., ED, M/S.

I love it when someone says something about the "technical" aspect a tech does compared to the RN. Obviously they haven't a clue.

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I love it when someone says something about the "technical" aspect a tech does compared to the RN. Obviously they haven't a clue.

I love it when someone posts a response to a question/request for information with a non-informative and pompous judgement.

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Specializes in Trauma Surgery, Nursing Management.
I love it when someone says something about the "technical" aspect a tech does compared to the RN. Obviously they haven't a clue.

Would you mind expanding on this thought? Forgive me, but I have not a clue what you mean. Do you mean that the comparison of the technical part of the ST is different from the technical part of the RN? Meaning that the ST has more of a focus on the technical aspect of surgery (as implied in their title) rather than the RN who must deliver a wider and more holistic aspect of patient care delivery? I am truly not trying to be a jackwagon, I am just trying to make sure I understand your post.

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If you are one that likes the "hands on work", in-your face involvement during surgery, the CST route is a good setting. CSTs are required to complete an accredited program and hold certification or have completed a military program while enlisted. While an RN does make more money and does have more legal flexibility they can scrub and circulate. The Circulator does "run the show" in the OR since he or she is filling out the OR record which indicates things like "timeout", correct meds, counts, etc is done. Not to mention position, prep, etc. Once again, a CST attends a specialty program where they learn the scrub role. It's not just learning instruments how some may think. It Involves learning to anticipate the needs of the surgeon, studying on why a certain instrument does what it does, learning sterility that will protect the patient from infection, knowing what to do and what to have available if complications arise during the case, making sure that your one step ahead of the surgeon at all times, wound closure, and most of all being an advocate for your patient. While there are nurses that scrub, I have yet to hear of a nursing program that spends 18 months of learning the OR in and out like an ST program does. While some nurses maybe learned to scrub while OJT or some were once CSTs they maybe became RNs and maintained their skills. Decades ago LVNs and RNs fulfilled the scrub role. Things change over time. You might still find some places that utilizes nurses to scrub Working in the OR is fun, but an adrenaline paced environment where I have seen CSTs go back to school for something totally different and RNs transfer to a different setting, Best of Luck

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To Skwidward and Canesdukegirl,

I am a nurse with 19 years experience, 11 years and counting spent working in the O.R. The O.R. is not for everyone but if you like a fast-paced environment with something new to learn all the time, then this is for you. In the O.R. there are specialties within specialties and there are so many things to learn at first that sometimes it can seem overwhelming. I suggest that you shadow an O.R. Nurse and Scrub Tech to see exactly what they do.

As for the technical aspect of this job, don't let the title "Scrub Tech" mislead you. There are many O.R. Nurses that know how to scrub and assist just like the scrub techs do. Furthermore, the O.R. Nurse actually has to be proficient in troubleshooting the machines and equipments that you use in surgery when it malfunctions. Many times I had to figure out whether it's the instrument, the equipment (generator, light source, monitors, drills, etc.) or just plain operator error(surgeon, technique, etc.) that is causing the problem!!

In my facility, we chart in the computer so we have to learn how to work with it. There were times when I feel like throwing the computer on the floor/trash because it is so slow or the screen freezes. So, really, working in the O.R. as a nurse is more technical than some people think.

One advantage I like working in Surgery are the days off. There are many different shifts in the O.R. that you can work depending on your lifestyle/schedule. I picked five 8-hour shifts, 7-3 pm, Monday-Friday to coincide with my family schedule. I'm off on weekends and holidays unless I'm on call which is maybe 4-5 times a month. Some of my coworkers work four 10-hour days, three 12-hour shifts(7a-7p, 11a-11p) five 3p-11p and some work just weekends. Also, if you need to make money, you can take as many calls as you can handle and get "time and a half" and on-call pay on your salary!!!

As a nurse in the O.R. we advocate for the pt. who is asleep and vulnerable. If you ask me we have a bigger responsibility than RNs on the floor because surgical patients are not able to complain or press the button when something is bothering them. Their insides are wide open while the surgeon is dissecting and manipulating their organs. It is up to the O.R. Nurse to make sure that all appropriate actions are taken to maintain the pt's pre-op status. Anything can happen even in a fairly-controlled environment like the O.R.

Some RNs will most likely tell you that it is not real nursing. However, it is a matter of opinion. I say put these same nurses in the O.R. and see if they can function?! It is a totally different kind of nursing care - different but equal to other specialties.

I really enjoy working in the O.R. I knew even as a student that I will be an O.R. Nurse someday. Now, I am even a CNOR (a nurse certified in the O.R. specialty). I hope I have given you a better view of how it is working in the O.R.

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