need help becoming srub tech

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jul 11, 2006

Welcome. Good luck to you.

sunnyjohn · Jul 11, 2006

Hi I'm a scrub tech. I went to a local community college for my training.

Books? Check out "Alexander's care of the Patient in Surgery" and " Berry and Kohn's Operating Room Techniques."

It is very hard these days to get OJT training scrubbing. As an LPN you still have a decent chance. You might want to try getting in scrubbing in an OB department. Sometimes they will hire with no scrub experience and train you. Once you get C-section experience and sterile technique you may be able to convince an OR manager to train you the rest of the way.

I also suggest checking out the local community college. A lot of schools have a perioperative class just for nurses to teach them how to scrub. Mine did.

Good luck to you. OR work is WONDERFUL!

sunnyspin · Jul 11, 2006

Thank you for the books information I tried to get into the OR department in the hospital I work in, but I think that they are just giving me the run around because I want to transfer of a busy medical unit that doesn't have enough staff at this time. They keep telling me when we have enough staff that I can transfer. I don't think that, that is fair because they may never have enough staff. Also about the community college, were I live they don't have perioperative classes. I know all about sterile techniquie. I just to learn the instruments and some one to give me a chance.

Thanks for the help.

Hi I'm a scrub tech. I went to a local community college for my training.
Books? Check out "Alexander's care of the Patient in Surgery" and " Berry and Kohn's Operating Room Techniques."
It is very hard these days to get OJT training scrubbing. As an LPN you still have a decent chance. You might want to try getting in scrubbing in an OB department. Sometimes they will hire with no scrub experience and train you. Once you get C-section experience and sterile technique you may be able to convince an OR manager to train you the rest of the way.
I also suggest checking out the local community college. A lot of schools have a perioperative class just for nurses to teach them how to scrub. Mine did.
Good luck to you. OR work is WONDERFUL!

peggy2624 · Jul 12, 2006

Scrub tech used to be on the job training but now is a degree or certificate. You will need to go to school. The experience you need will be provided in your clinicals. You can study from books and memorize instruments but there's so much more to the surgical atmosphere that can't be rehersed other than by being in the OR. Don't be discouraged, most programs will only be a year if you already have nursing credits. Good luck from one who's been there as both a tech and OR Nurse!!

suebird3 · Jul 12, 2006

Welcome to allnurses.com! I moved your post to the OR Forum for more responses.

Suebird :)

RANCH GIRL · Jul 14, 2006

Hi Sunnyspin,

Here are a couple thoughts for obtaining experience as a scrub tech:

Clearly, the fact that you are an LPN is a huge advantage. Have you considered working in a private surgeon's office and/or for a group of surgeons? Most offices do minor surgical procedures and you can start building your skills there.

What about an outpatient surgical center? May be you could work per diem in the recovery area and observe procedures in between times.

Lastly, have you thought about serving in the military (I think I can say that). The Air Force, Navy, and Army all have surgical technicians (as far as I know, but my information may be a little "old"), their own schools, and training programs. I was an Air Force-trained surgical technician. If you want more information, just PM me. Best! ~Jane