Graduating nursing school but I just want to scrub

Axmann, RN, BSN, NREMT-B · Mar 31, 2016

bump!

AlphaM · Mar 31, 2016

Follow your passion, if you want to scrub full time then follow your passion

Editorial Team / Admin · Mar 31, 2016

One thing to keep in mind: even if a facility were willing to hire you below your highest licensure, you will be held to the level of the highest license you hold.

At just 4-5 months from graduation, it's kind of pointless to stop the program you're in now and then start over with a new profession. Why not compromise? Look for a facility that hires RNs who both scrub and circulate. Get your hours of experience for the RNFA and then go that route. Most facilities will expect all RNs to circulate- that's why I say look for a facility that hires for both roles. It'll make you a more rounded OR nurse as well.

lm2009 · Apr 1, 2016

I agree with Rose_Queen, look for a hospital that has RNs scrub and circulate. I think knowing both roles makes you stronger at both roles. It is also more fun - sometimes you need a break from circulating and sometimes scrubbing (especially when you have been standing scrubbed in a tough case for 16 hours straight).

If you are an RN that only scrubs, what is going to happen when they are short RNs and desperately need someone to circulate? Every RN at our hospital is trained to scrub and circulate. If a nurse prefers to circulate, they mostly circulate and it's fine. We have a lot of nurses that prefer to scrub as well, but if they have a tech or a more senior nurse (that also prefers to scrub) in the room, they may have to circulate. Then there are also staffing issues, that seem to always come up where the charge nurse has to assign a nurse who doesn't like to scrub, to scrub a case, just because there is no one else. Vice versa applies to nurses that prefer to scrub - sometimes they have to go into a room to circulate. Above all, I think the goal is to be flexible and help the charge RN (and your fellow OR team members). It is easier to plug in the staffing gaps if you get two jobs out of one person. It all evens out and I think I scrub as much as I circulate.

DNRme · Apr 3, 2016

I have been in the OR for a looooong time. I would always prefer to scrub. Since I am hired as an RN and they are paying for an RN, I rarely get the opportunity. They can pay a CST half of what they pay me. Even if you are scrubbed, if you are an RN, you are held to that standard. Finish school, and get a little experience under your belt. Don't sell yourself short. There is a reason anyone can scrub but an RN must circulate. Your patient needs you in that role.

springchick1, ADN, RN · Apr 3, 2016

I'm an RN and I scrub 95% of the time. Like PPs have said, look for a hospital that will train you to both scrub and circulate.

Gottago · Apr 7, 2016

You don't have to become a RN to circulate or first assist. You could become a scrub, or surgical technician, and have the option of scrubbing, circulating, or even becoming a surgical first assist. If you are in a RN program, then you may want to complete the program. There are options. Surgical technicians are not strictly limited to scrubbing.

Editorial Team / Admin · Apr 8, 2016

You don't have to become a RN to circulate or first assist. You could become a scrub, or surgical technician, and have the option of scrubbing, circulating, or even becoming a surgical first assist. If you are in a RN program, then you may want to complete the program. There are options. Surgical technicians are not strictly limited to scrubbing.

Not necessarily true about circulating. There are several states that mandate the circulator be an RN, either in some settings or in all, as well as CMS regulations that must be met.

24 states have laws or regulations in place that require a registered nurse to serve as the circulator in hospitals, and 16 states have similar language for ambulatory surgical centers. Although not as comprehensive as the AORN legislative priority, the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) also has regulations and guidance addressing the RN Circulator.

More information and maps showing what states have which laws here.

springchick1, ADN, RN · Apr 10, 2016

You don't have to become a RN to circulate or first assist. You could become a scrub, or surgical technician, and have the option of scrubbing, circulating, or even becoming a surgical first assist. If you are in a RN program, then you may want to complete the program. There are options. Surgical technicians are not strictly limited to scrubbing.

In my state, only an RN can circulate and the surgical techs are strictly limited to scrubbing.

showmethemoney · Apr 15, 2016

If you are almost finished with your RN then you need to at least achieve the RNFA. It is light years in education over that of the surgical tech first assistant. They can only functioning as a basic first assist like holding clamps and maybe suturing. Other functions that utilize your education and achievement of your degree should not go by the wayside unless you don't have what it takes to fulfill the circulator role. That is an honest self evaluation and

appraisal that will save you a lot of heartache.

XpedX, BSN · Apr 23, 2016

I did a bit research on this same subject, so I will tell you what I have found out through a co-worker and my own research.

If you want to scrub only you can get your RNFA and get hired by a group of surgeons to do just that. You won't be working for the hospital and therefore would never circulate. I know of a RNFA who circulated for awhile, obtained her RNFA, was hired by one of the local ortho surgeons groups, and now only assists. But if you are looking to be in more the scrub role, i.e. passing instruments and setting up cases, the RNFA is the wrong way to go for you. Also be aware that not all states allow RNFAs to bill for their services. However if you were a NP with a RNFA cert you be more sought after by surgical groups. However you'd be rounding and taking call for both the floor and surgical cases.

There are also only a few CNS/NP programs that have more OR focus.

Advanced Practice Program Options | Uniformed Services University Uniformed Services University has a MSN or DNP Adult-Gerontology CNS program with 40% periop clinicals.

RN First Assistant Program: RN First Assistant Program UCLA APRN

UAB - School of Nursing - Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner – Acute Care & Continuing Care University of Alabama Birmingham

These are the schools I have found so far with specific mention of Periop Speciality built into their APRN programs.

Hope this helps,

-Jess