I was really excited about going to school to be a Surgical Technologist. I don't think I'm meant for nursing as I don't think I'm able to multitask and take care of high patient to nurse ratios. However I am great at focusing and detail and am confident I would make a great ST. I know it's not easy work but I believe I can do it well someday. My plan was to go to a community college for it (I need to drive 65 miles for it but it's the best we can afford) when I would need to start the program (going to take the 3 prereq classes online). I was also hoping to go to a close short school session to be a Sterile Processing Tech so I can get some real work experience with the instruments. There is a 2-3 year waitlist for the ST program so I was hoping to work as a Sterile Processing Tech and volunteer in surgery waiting areas until I get in the program.
I was very excited about this as to me it seems like a good practical, hands on, helping, career that I can do for life, make a difference, and have some financial stability for my family. On the other hand my husband doesn't think I'm the type to handle the stress and hospitals, he wants me to just try working on getting a government job like my Dad. My Dad got very lucky with his government job. He didn't graduate from college but worked his way up in a government position starting out as a clerk. He now makes 50,000 a year, but it took him 20 years to do so. Still, he's not happy and is always filled with anxiety about losing his job as it is so specialized he doesn't have a clue what he would do if he loses it. He went in a great depression a few years ago with the government shut down, scared of losing it. I greatly respect my Dad but I don't want to be like that. I don't want to just rely on getting lucky then take almost 20 years to get out of minimum wage pay.
Surgical Technology seems great to me, like a real skill I can have all my life. I've read so much how it's so hard to get a job as a new graduate... However after researching a lot it seems once you do have experience its very good job stability as your knowledge and skills are highly valued. Also I am married and 28.. I want to start a real career soon so we can have kids someday. The ST program is only a yr, and going to a community college it is the best affordable education I can find (despite the 65 mile gas lol). I was going to work a lot during the 2-3 year waitlist, save money, and get a back up loan just in case. My husband doesn't like that it's 65 miles away but he is supportive of me if that's what I really want to do. However I almost seriously gave up yesterday as these things are seriously holding me back:
*I'm scared of having an accident, cutting myself and getting HIV or another contagious disease, then accidentally spreading it to my family. I'm afraid trying to be quick enough especially as a Sterile Processing Tech will get me these accidents. I'm afraid there'll be another outbreak like Ebola and I'll catch it and bring it home. (maybe I'm just OCD?)
*I'm sorry I know this is a touchy subject. I DO NOT judge anyone for having this but because of my religion I am very pro-life. I'm afraid I'll be required to assist in abortions. I tell myself I'm there to protect the mother from getting infected, but when I think I'm actually handing the instruments to the surgeon I feel like I'm doing it myself? I'm afraid if I say I can't participate in these I'll get fired or won't get hired? Maybe I can switch with someone but what if there's no one to switch with? I would be ok doing it if the mother's life is in danger but other than that I can't.
*I'm worried about the work hours/schedule. I really want kids someday. I was hoping to eventually work in outpatient daytime monday-friday. However now I'm worried outpatient places are usually the surgery centers that do perform abortions. I also thought about per diem but I don't know how that works. I don't know what to do if children need to go home from school or daycare because theyre sick, and I can't leave in the middle of a surgery...
*I will study hard and get all the knowledge I can to do great at my job. But I'm wondering if I'll have to spend hours a week (even well after finished with school) studying on my own time just to remember and be prepared for each work day? I don't know how that works..
*What happens if I make a mistake? Can I accidentally kill a patient? If I make a small mistake how possible is it for me to get fired and never able to get a ST or SPD job ever again?
*I read many people's stories how hard it is to get a ST job as a new grad.. Although I have the plan of Sterile Processing and volunteering.. I don't even know if it'll work. I'll feel awful if my husband helps me through all this then I can't even get a job after I'm done. I mean I would get any job (I have lots of waitressing experience..) until Id hopefully get a ST job.. but I don't want getting a ST job to be like trying to get on American Idol.. My husband would also be making some sacrifices for me to go to school for this.
Haha I'm so sorry I wrote so much.. Anyone who took the time to read all this is an angel... I'm just really hoping for some help in overcoming the above fears as I feel this is my last chance to get a useful job education before we have babies. I don't want to give up but I don't want to make the wrong decision.. Although I know my husband and I will have to make some sacrifices I think if I can actually do it it will be great for my family. It's pretty much either this or just hoping to get lucky with a job above minimum wage likely in government. I have an Associates in Psychology but can't do anything with that... I think I need to do this.. Please help me be sure and start. I know once I start school I won't quit and I'll go all the way.
(maybe I'm just OCD?)