Free Surg Tech School or RN?

[prairiecreekhouse]

I know this question has been asked a few times throughout this site but my circumstances are a bit different. I have recently finished all of my prereqs for nursing. I had planned on starting RN school next spring. However, the hospital I work for is in desperate need of Surg techs. They have offered to pay for Surg tech school, plus a 10K sign-on bonus, plus a week of vacation, and a guaranteed job. The down side...the pay is only $16 an hr fresh out of school. They did say they were going to consider raising this during the spring review.

My RN school will cost about $18k since I have all of my prereqs done for my ASN.

I need to hear an outsiders thoughts....

[AceOfHearts<3]

Do you have any interest in being a surgical tech? Would being a surg tech make you happy or will you only be happy becoming a nurse?

How would your schedule as a surgical tech vary compared to that of an RN? I'm not familiar with this area, but would there be any on call requirements? If you became an RN would a position that requires call be acceptable to you? I know personally I don't have any interest in a position that requires call.

What kind of contract do you have to sign? What would be the ramifications for breaking it?

Will the hospital pay anything towards nursing school?

Can you live on the current pay being offered for surgical techs? You can't bank on a possible increase. Do you know what RNs start at in your area?

Only you can decide what's right for you. I hope I gave you some things to consider and help you make your decision. Best wishes!

[prairiecreekhouse]

I have interest in both. They have small scholarships but no sign on bonus in the areas I am interested in. I believe a fresh RN starts out at 19 to 20 an hr (I live in MO). I'm sure they do require call but both areas I desire to work ( OR and OB) both take call so it's something I plan on accepting.

[HalfBoiled, BSN, RN]

I still say take the RN route.

[Derek...]

Coming from a surgical tech that has been working in the operating room for almost thirteen years, I highly recommend the RN route.

Are surgical techs integral to the operating room team? YES! Can you walk down the street and ask anyone what a surgical tech is and get anything other than "the guy that hands the surgeon the scalpel"? Probably not.

We are paid decently, but it's not going to help you live comfortably. You will always have to work OT and take enormous amounts of call in order to live within your means. Unlike nurses who can change where they work (Operating Room, ICU, ER, med-surg, public health, education, etc.), you will always be stuck in the OR. Working as a tech, you are stuck in a glass box.

There are only a handful of states that allow surgical techs to first assist the surgeon during surgical procedures. If you live in any of these states and want to look into becoming a CSFA, I highly recommend checking that route out. However, the rest of the country only allows the utilization of registered nurse: first assistants, physician assistants, or another physician.

I hope this helps and good luck.