LPN's in the OR

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Hi there,

Please excuse my lack of knowledge. For those of you who don't know me which should be almost everyone, I have been working in EMS for the last few years so my nursing knowledge is honestly non-existent.

I would like to apply for my LPN (Im in Ab, Canada) this fall. I came accross this post and was curious as to whether or not LPNs can actually work in the OR? if they can what are usually their duties?

I would like to specialize in emerg/ a floor that I can use my current knowledge base and skills. As said before tho, I know nothing so its going to be a long set of obstacles I have to get over but I'm more than willing to work my butt off to get there.

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Not that know of. If you want to work in the O.R., either become a scrub tech or an RN. Some O.R.'s requires scrub techs to graduate from a scrub tech course (usually about a year long.) Other O.R.'s will train people on the job to become a scrub tech. As an LPN, you would have a great resume to become a scrub tech. Of course, RN's make twice as much money as techs.

Another option is to work for surgical equipment companies. They will train you to visit local O.R.'s and tell surgeons how to use their equipment.

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Thank you Mike. I didnt know there were positions such as scrub techs but will now look at that as well especially if it gives an oppotunity to work in the OR.

Thanks again!

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I saw an OR Tech at work during my student days. Lots of standing, counting of instruments and passing during the surgery. Putting up with loads of verbal from the surgeon seemed to be the norm.

Look for a poster called Marie. She works OR in the US.

Our roles can be very different in Canada.

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I am a surgical tech, I have an associates degree(just like an R.N.-go figure). The pay is not twice as much for an R.N. but it is higher. Where I work LPN's work as anesthesia tech's. I love my job and I wouldn't trade it for anything. I am going back to school for my R.N. degree, the reason is money. I would proudly keep my title of surgical tech, just pay me as an R.N.

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Specializes in School Nursing.
;) Marie will give you ton's of information....she's terrific !:monkeydance:
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You guys are fabulous! thank you so much. I looked up this morning what a scrub tech is and I believe the closest thing to that here is a "Sterile Processing Technician"? I looked it up on the SAIT web page. Will keep looking. Thank you!

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i know a couple of lpns who were hired by local hospital and they had a year long training period..haven't seen either in a long time hope they like it

early hours but unless your are on call you are off w/e and holidays

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No, those people clean and sterilize instruments. They make less money than OR techs. OR techs are the ones who wears a sterile gown and gloves and hands instruments to the surgeon during surgery.

Here is info about OR techs....

http://www.ast.org/

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Thank you Mike for letting me know. I thought thats what they did as well. Glad you came back on this post and checked. I can't seem to be able to find a canadian site on O.R. techs. Being from Canada I don't know that we actually have them here but I will keep looking and maybe post a thread about it. Thank you guys :)

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I saw a post somewhere on a CST forum that was dealing with differences between Canada and the US. A couple of folks stated that Canada only allows RNs for the OR. They are however looking into the possibility of using CSTs in the future.

Where I am in the US, we use LPNs and CST as our techs.

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Thank you ewattsjt. Thats what I think I am just starting to understand. Been looking this evening for information but the only that keeps coming up is RN's doing the ones who do the OR work which is interesting.

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