are the employers going to consider my scrub tech experience for my pay??

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Specializes in O.R..

I am currently a (10+ yr) scrub tech, finishing up my nursing test very soon, I want to b a circulator nurse, are the employers going to consider my scrub tech experience for my pay?? since "offically" im a new nurse. but not new to the o.r. which is a big differnce.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Your post has been moved into its own thread with the hope of attracting more replies. Good luck to you!

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Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, Emergency, SAFE.

Ive generally found that any experience that was NOT as a nurse, will not be compensated since you will still be a new grad when youre hired. I was an ST for 7 years (though I didnt go to the OR when I graduated) and that counted for nothing pay wise. Hopefully you can still get a little bump though, from staying in the OR. Good luck.

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Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.

I don't think it will contribute to your pay, but it should definitely help you get a job.

Who know's tho? Sometimes there's room for a bit of negotiation. I just know it didn't help my pay even though I'd been an LVN several years.

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

Sorry, but no. RN pay is typically based on RN experience.

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Specializes in Developmental Disabilites,.

I got a bump in my pay for being a CNA, granted it was a small bump but it was something.

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Specializes in ED/ICU/TELEMETRY/LTC.

I believe that you will be able to get a job quickly. If prospective employers use a grid system to determine pay, I doubt that they will consider the experience you have, but I am very sure that they will consider it when looking to hire.

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Specializes in Trauma Surgery, Nursing Management.

I doubt that your ST experience will get you a higher pay rate as a new grad. It would be nice if the system worked like that, but a new grad is a new grad.

However, your experience CAN help you climb the ladder more quickly. For example, if your hospital has a structured clinical tier system, your experience will help you achieve a higher tier since you already know the ins and outs of the OR. Your experience will likely segue into a leadership position since you have so much knowledge.

You will be hired as a Clinical Nurse I. Depending on your hospital's policy, you may be eligible to apply for the next tier, Clinical Nurse II within a year of hire.

After you have 2 years of experience as an RN in the OR, you will then be eligible to sit for the CNOR exam. Once you pass this exam, (and again, depending on your hospital's guidelines regarding clinical ladders) you can apply for the Clinical Nurse III tier.

In essence, while your experience will not net you a higher pay rate as a new RN, your experience WILL garner you an edge when applying for a higher tier, which will ultimately result in higher pay.

I encourage you to join AORN. The journals are a wonderful resource, and you get a discount for the CNOR exam if you are a member.

Please feel free to PM me if you have any questions. I am so glad that you want to stay in the OR, as your knowledge will no doubt be a resource for many new nurses that follow your path.

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Specializes in O.R..

thank you for replying, that helps alot, btw I love the o.r. so your information will definately create some goals....

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Specializes in O.R..

thanks for taking the time to answer, and i will try to negotiate, good idea.

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Specializes in O.R..

I didnt know how to get my question out there, so thx, and I got some good information to go on.

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