Lpn...rn...surgical Tech...totally Confused

Nurses General Nursing

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I started posting on here in the LPN section because ultimately my goal is/was to become an RN. However, I also heard that LPN is a route that I may want to consider first, as nursing school isn't always the easiest to get into. So I continued my insane research on nursing only adding to it LPN. Then I came across surgical technician, which also is very intriguing and quite honestly what jumped into my mind is "I can skip over LTC facilities and get right into a hospital!" But the more I read and surf around the net, the more confused I become. I've decided this much: I need to something sooner to get started in healthcare (i.e. LPN or ST) and then proceed with RN from there, if I choose to continue. Because I am currently not enjoying my career in the legal field, I want out, I want to be in healthcare, someway, somehow without having to go on a waiting list for 2 years and stay where I don't like it. At least if I'm in school while I'm at my miserable job and caring for my family (not miserable lol) I will at least be a step closer to getting where I want to be instead of waiting around. So ANY opinions on LPN or surgical tech would be greatly appreciated!!!

thank you :)

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Specializes in Med surg, Critical Care, LTC.

You don't have to be an LPN to be a surgical tech. A CNA will do, if you can find a job that will train you. Keep in mind, training a surgical tech is a MINIMUM of 6 months probation. If you work in a hospital without 3 shifts of surgical staff, you will have to take call. That can suck in a big way.

Good luck

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Specializes in Operating Room.

Surgical techs work hard, and for not much money. The job itself is cool but the program in my state charges 30,000 dollars for an associates. Keep in mind that techs around here start at about 15-16 dollars an hour. I was a surg tech for several years and while I loved my job, I hated my pay and the ridiculous amounts of student loans I had to pay off(still doing so, BTW)

I can't speak about LPN, because I never was one. They are nurses in every sense of the word but many places are phasing them out, which is a shame, IMHO. But, if this is not the case in your area, you may be better off training as an LPN first because that experience is closer to what you'll experience in RN school, if you decide to become an RN. Many people are happy with being an LPN-like I said they are nurses, some of the best nurses I know are LPNs. There are some differences in scope of practice(for example, in my state, they can't do IV push meds, or hang blood).

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Specializes in Operating Room.
You don't have to be an LPN to be a surgical tech. A CNA will do, if you can find a job that will train you. Keep in mind, training a surgical tech is a MINIMUM of 6 months probation. If you work in a hospital without 3 shifts of surgical staff, you will have to take call. That can suck in a big way.

Good luck

Most places will not do OTJ training for surgical technologists anymore. You have to graduate from an accredited program and most places want you certified. There are some OTJ trained techs still around but they were grandfathered in.

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Specializes in Med surg, Critical Care, LTC.

Our hospital "prefers" techs with a degree or experience, but I know one hired recently who was a CNA on another floor. I'm just saying, depending upon where your located, it might be a possibility for her.

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Specializes in Family Practice, Mental Health.

I went to RN with a Surg-Tech who challenged several nursing prerequisites in order to get into RN school. She excelled quite well, and went on to run the OR unit at the hospital that she worked at as a S.Tech. Best of luck in your endeavours.

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WitchRN,

What area are you from? I know here too, in NJ, LPNs are not as in demand. Well, I shouldn't say that. They are, but they're more for care facilities. Hospitals don't really hire them and when you look in the paper or online for jobs, they may say LPN but when you read the description it then details that they want an RN with a bachelor's or at least an associate, which is not an LPN because they are different courses here!!

As for surgical tech, I'm not finding any in community colleges close by, but I haven't finished looking. We do however, have business schools which offer that program and are accredited. The benefit to that is one of the schools i was really considering only offers LPN during the day yet surg. tech both day and evening. Considering I have to go back to work (after the baby), I would need, at least for now, an evening course. Therefore, that's another determining factor. I'm at the point where of course I want to do what's best but at the same time, I just want IN!!!

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Specializes in LTC, Rehab, Skilled Nursing, Management.

If you are trying to decide between LPN and Surg Tech with the ultimate goal of RN, my opinion is that it would be more beneficial to do the LPN. There are so many bridge programs for LPN-RN, that it would be a much simpler process to do that. Around the area I live in there are a lot of LPN-RN programs that are just 2 semesters. In fact many schools around here do the theory portion online, with preceptored clinicals. As an LPN you are already practicing nursing, so the basic nursing concepts are in place. The school I got my LPN from also had a surg tech program and those students said they were having a difficult time finding employment because there just aren't a ton of positions available....although this may vary from location to location. They just said that they were running into many hospitals utilizing nurses cross-trained to do the surg tech job or newer physician owned specialty hospitals that wanted experienced surg techs. As an LPN I had numerous offers for employment the day I went out and applied. I began working as a nurse less than a week after I became licensed. LTC isn't cut out for everyone, although I enjoy it, plus the pay is better than hospitals in this area. I did have other opportunities though.... med/surg floor in a small hospital, in-home pediatric shift work, hospice, rehab hospital (rehab as in stroke, vehicle wrecks, etc.) PACU (post-acute care unit). These are just the pros & cons I could come up with. I think some of it depends on the schools in your area, job availability in your area, and what work you would enjoy.

Good luck! Let us know which direction you end up deciding is best for you.

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I agree I taught LPNS and many were certified scrub techs, they were going the LPN route, for more money and more opportunity.

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Certain community colleges offer a variety of non-nursing healthcare careers including surgical tech.

A state run surgical tech program does not cost $30,000 and cant take 12 to 15 months. Of course that is what is going on in my local area.

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I live in florida and surgical tech courses down here are only about $4,000 and take about 14months. From what I hear the starting pay is the same as lpn and going that route is an extra skill that you will have to with your rn which is what I'm doing now. Take your time and weight out your options. Compare the two course work and skill sets that you will and see what better suit.

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Hi, in my state LPNs are only allowed to work in Nursing Homes and only get paid $15-$18 an hr. my goal was to become a RN but there is a three year waiting list, I decided to become a surgical technologist and Absolutely love it!!! The pay is actually pretty good where I am from!!! Every state is different so you should check with an administrator who knows about both LPN and Surg Technologist positions in your area. Being an ST is exhausting but while waiting 3 years for an RN school being an LPN and working in only nursing homes was not for me.

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