Is it worth it?? Surgical tech to RN

Nursing Students General Students

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HELLO ALL,

I am currently a Surgical Technologist and am considering (Heavily) about becoming a nurse. I find that being a tech isn't as rewarding as I thought it would be and I'm seeing lil chance for advancement in the future. I would really love some advice on anyone that has been in the same boat as me or anyone in general that has a degree in some thing else and is now considering nursing. In my mind it sound like a great idea, but realistically taking on this journey for me means taking on even more student debt ( I estimate about 50,000$ by the time I'm done BSN included) and going to work part time. My husband is not very keen to the idea, though he says he will support my decision either way. I will admit that I make a pretty decent living with my current employer put there is absolutely no room for advancement, I'm incredibly bored, and I really don't have that sense of pride I'm looking for being where I am now. I just don't want to end up regretting anything either way.

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Specializes in Dialysis.

#1-Pay off some debt before making the decision; #2-shadow nurses on the floor. You may not get an OR position despite your tech experience, so you may be disappointed there as well. Look closely before you make a decision. Good luck!

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I was a surgical tech for 13 years before I decided to go back to nursing school. I was bored with the repetition, and felt there was no room for growth. Getting my BSN was one of my proudest accomplishments. It was difficult with a family and working part time at night, but it was so worth it. I worked for about a year as a circulator/scrub before I realized I wanted out of the OR. I moved to a different speciality a few months ago, and I love it. I am so thankful that I took the opportunity to go to nursing school. I feel like my options are unlimited. I wish you the best in whatever you decide.

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Thank you so much!! Very helpful, there's hope for me yet!:)

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Specializes in ICU.

Here is my only advice, don't place so much emphasis on the role your job has is your life. Remember, nursing is a job just like anything else. You are going to be confronting many of the same issues you are now.

People romanticize nursing way too much. There is going to be stress in the job. I often see people who are unhappy with their lives in general and think a career change is going to fix it. Then they realize what the job entails and are very disappointed.

I often hear, everybody is mean, I have such negative coworkers, the families are rude, the patients just want me to wait on them. I'm running around all day and Im not getting anything done. All I do is push paperwork.

It's a job and hospitals are businesses. Hospitals are there to make money. So there is tons of beaurocratic and political crap. Some people will hate their job and be negative. Patients will be demanding and it all has to be documented. RNs do the documentation. If it's not documented, it didn't happen.

I see no less than 10 threads a week about people switching careers. For some people, the change is good and was in their best interest. For others, they end up realizing after they spent the money that the field of nursing is just like any other career. It's not going to make you magically happy in life. Jobs can be hard to find, they do not make an infinite amount of money, and it is very stressful. Think long and hard before you make the leap. $50k is an awful lot of money and you need lots of support while in school.

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I have been a CST for 5.5 years and felt the same way. I just started my 4th semester of an ADN program and while it has been a tough ride with a F/T job and family, it will be worth it for me. I will start the RN-BSN bridge next Jan. I don't think you should do a for profit school. The debt compared to how much you'll be making is outrageous in my opinion. Does your job have tuition reimbursement? I saw on your other post that you have $20,000 in debt already, did you go to a for-profit for Surg Tech as well? I would personally try to go for an accelerated BSN or ADN and then do an online RN-BSN at a cheaper school if I was in your shoes. Good luck!

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thanks for the input. I knew there had to be someone out there that has been in this boat. & yes I did go to a for profit school for a my ST education. I just made a whole other post about the salary of a nurse that really has me thinking now that maybe this isn't something I should do. I think being a nurse would be so rewarding, but for me to attend a state college it would just take entirely too long. I work for a plastic surgeon, no benefits, no retirement, no anything really. I get paid pretty darn close to what I'm just now finding out is the going rate for a new grad RN and that makes me a lil sad. I will continue to do research though. If this is something I really want to do, I will certainly find a way.

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Specializes in Pediatric Critical Care.

I would suggest that you look into some different healthcare options such as anesthesia assistance, perfusionist, echo tech, radiology tech, etc.

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