I'm Having a hard time choosing between surgicaltech/LVn

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Oct 5, 2005

Also surgical tech I think gets paid more than Lvn?

Not here. LVN gets paid much more.

sunnyjohn · Oct 5, 2005

I'm a surgical tech. I LOVE being a tech!

IMO, go LVN. Then just get a job in a hospital OR and they will teach you to scrub. There are also perioperative classes that will teach you how to scrub as an LVN.

I know some VA hospitals are partial to LVN scrubs.

That way you can have more options scrubbing or other LVN positions. Also if you decide to go back for your RN you can use the bridge programs.

Do some research and see if this is possible in your area. The choice, of course, is up to you!

ARNPsomeday · Oct 5, 2005

JR, It's great that your parents are giving you their input. I think it is also important that you get to know yourself. Take some quiet time alone and think about both occupations. Being a surgical tech means interacting a little less with patients' personality. Being a licensed vocational nurse means interacting alot with patients plus coworkers. Are you a people person, or would you be happier dealing mostly with instruments and a small team of coworkers?

Here in south Florida they are paid about the same.

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · Oct 5, 2005

Why dont you do both? Become a LVN then see if you can train in the OR as a LVN scrub tech. The hospital here in my area at one time had a course 6 months or so for LVN's wanting to work in OR. If you had to do one or the other I would pick LVN. You can bridge th RN then could circulate.

Hi my name is JR i recently applied at 3 schools and gladly passed all of them I am 20 years old and My problem is Im still confused if I want to become a surgical technologist or Lvn,I think both would be great but right now its 50/50 for both program I need the help of you guys to help me choose the right one for me.Even my parents are 50/50 mom wants me to become an Lvn Dad Surgical Tech.As I said both would be great but only one is I wanted.Surgical and Lvn are both in-demand right?Also surgical tech I think gets paid more than Lvn?or am I wrong?Pls guys help me on choosing the right career for me.I dont want in the end I would be sorry for choosing the wrong one.
Thanks JR

merdarah · Oct 5, 2005

Thanks for your help guys.I am a People's person I believe I'll do great in both programs.choosing one of this is actually pretty hard since I'd love to do them both.How come surgical tech doesn't interract with co-workers?you could still talked to a lot of people that works in the hospitals right?or will I be stuck in the operating room for the whole day.Thanks for your help

sunnyjohn · Oct 5, 2005

Well, yes they do interact with coworkers.

People skills become VERY important with certain surgeons.

Especially the ones that hospital administrations says bring in lots of money, so we have to cater to them and pull out every tool and order some supply from some salesman, WHO'S number the circulator and the OR Director have on speed dial, WHO got stuck in rush hour traffic and can't get in until close to 9 and the case is supposed to start at 7:30 SO the OR director decides to open evey other supply and instrument set within a three mile radius in an attempt to palcate the surgeon WHO OF COURSE notices right off the bat his/her special tool is missing and makes the circulator page the OR director,WHO BY THE WAY is in another room talking to another surgeon or giving that circualtor a break CAUSE three people are out sick and you have 7 plastics surgery cases, 6 total hips/knees, a TRAM and a Whipple running that day and where shot staffed to begin with, WHILE the surgical residents keep trying to bribe the scheduler with doughnuts to tack on a few add-on cases, SOthe surgeon starts to get angry at you (the scrub Tech) because you are the closest person in proximity as you keep trying to get him/her to use another tool as a substitutuon while you try to calm him/her down by telling this surgeon about all the wonderful instrument sets you opened for him/her AS anesthesia keeps telling the surgeons to get on with it because he/she doesn't want to keep this patient under any longer than needed, as the cirulator starts paging anyone who will answer.....

Oh my.... lol

Yep, you need people skills.

I love my job. I wouldn't trade it for the world. (Well perhaps I would for an RN license, but that will come!)

MereSanity · Oct 6, 2005

Hi my name is JR i recently applied at 3 schools and gladly passed all of them I am 20 years old and My problem is Im still confused if I want to become a surgical technologist or Lvn,I think both would be great but right now its 50/50 for both program I need the help of you guys to help me choose the right one for me.Even my parents are 50/50 mom wants me to become an Lvn Dad Surgical Tech.As I said both would be great but only one is I wanted.Surgical and Lvn are both in-demand right?Also surgical tech I think gets paid more than Lvn?or am I wrong?Pls guys help me on choosing the right career for me.I dont want in the end I would be sorry for choosing the wrong one.
Thanks JR

I wanted to go surg tech too but decided LPN because

1) It pays a lot more money

2) I have more options available to me in many different areas, not just the OR

3) I'm still going to work in the OR.

More flexability. Same "2 years" worth of program time too. Might as well go LPN (that was my final decision). Good luck!

MereSanity · Oct 6, 2005

Hi my name is JR i recently applied at 3 schools and gladly passed all of them I am 20 years old and My problem is Im still confused if I want to become a surgical technologist or Lvn,I think both would be great but right now its 50/50 for both program I need the help of you guys to help me choose the right one for me.Even my parents are 50/50 mom wants me to become an Lvn Dad Surgical Tech.As I said both would be great but only one is I wanted.Surgical and Lvn are both in-demand right?Also surgical tech I think gets paid more than Lvn?or am I wrong?Pls guys help me on choosing the right career for me.I dont want in the end I would be sorry for choosing the wrong one.
Thanks JR

P.S. Look at monster.com for what LPN's and surg techs get paid...LPN's make much more. Good luck!