Need Surgical Tech Info

TakeTwoAspirin, MSN, RN, APRN · Apr 2, 2008

If you go to the website www.ast.org you will find out pretty much everything you need to know about what a CST does.

I am a CST who is making the transition to BSN and I have to say that in all honesty, being a CST has not really helped with NS. What I learned during my CST training was so specialized that it really doesn't cross over. Of course, stuff like A&P credits and the like go towards NS, but as far as the actual experience goes, it didn't help that much. The work you are currently doing on the floor will be of more practical use to you in NS than going on to tech school.

Now, what will help is that if you can get into a tech program quickly, you will always be able to pick up a few hours here and there if you need to make some extra money during NS. But, you can do that with your current position.

If what you REALLY want to be is a nurse, then don't bother becoming a tech. Save your money (you will need it in NS), keep doing what you are doing to get floor experience, and even investigate with your facility about the prospect of them sponsoring you to go to NS (you never know).

CST is a great profession, but if you are really going for nursing the experience won't help you as much as you think it might. Of course, if you want to be a peri-operative nurse then going to tech school may give you a foot in that door, but it may be an expensive detour if you don't really want to go in that direction!

ewattsjt · Apr 2, 2008

As TakeTwoAsprins points out; surgical technology is a specialty. I would never want to steer someone away from what they really want. If you want to go to nursing, you should get on the wait list and go for it. You can do things like work and put money back (it will be needed unless you can get support from somewhere else).

If you already know you want to go to surgery it could help by going the ST route but it would be expensive. Most ST programs are like RN programs in the aspect that it is about full time. You have to ask yourself if you want to be in school for that long. I have an associate in ST and the two years I was in school, I barely had time for my family. I could not imagine doing it another year or two back to back with nursing.

The only edge being a ST would give you is if you went to the OR after becoming an RN. If you would go to the floor, ICU, ED, or other specialties the ST experience would be of no benefit.

NabiRN, BSN, RN · Apr 3, 2008

I am a certified surgical technologist (CST) and I just finished nursing school and passed the board. My employer is creating a nursing position for me in the OR. Here's my take on this issue as I have thought about this many times:

1. Most CSTs would tell you that it's a lot more fun being a surgical technologist than a CNA or PCA. The money is a lot better. I am already making more money than many new nurse grads. The job is a lot more satisfying and you will learn a lot about the human anatomy. The technology is ever changing and everyday is different. The problem is that once you fall in love with the job you may not want to do anything else and you may skip nursing school all together.

2. There are 11 month surgical tecnology programs and the courses that you are taking during that program can be used towards your nursing degree. Many nursing exam questions are about caring for patients after surgery. Being in the OR, I have more knowledge about surgery and the anatomy than many of my nursing school friends who are CNAs. I can actually answer questions without studying nursing school books. I did the same for NCLEX.

3. If you want to be a nurse outside the OR, your experience as a CNA/PCA would be more helpful than as a CST (as others mentioned here). I have thought about taking a per diem job as a student nurse but decided that I prefer to spend my time scrubbing instead.

4. The relationships between doctors and nurses are different on the floor than in the OR. You work more as a team in the OR.

Good luck with your decision.

countingstars · Apr 23, 2008

Hey gang!

I am new here. I am looking for some advice...I am completely torn! The question is....Surgical tech or scrub nurse, which way should I go? I have read quite a bit lately that people who have switched from being a surg. tech to nursing would love to remain a surg tech and scrub in, if only the pay was better!!?!?!?! Is this a fair statement? Is money the motive for the switch? I am drawn to becoming a surg. tech, but people keep telling me to go into nursing.....more job opportunity, more money, etc. I want to be in the heart of the OR, I know that much. I feel I would absolutely love the duties of being a surg. tech, so why do people keep suggesting nursing? Is there something wrong with being "just a surgical tech" (as a doctor friend of mine put it the other day)?

One more question...after you have worked as a ST, how do you advance into becoming a first assistant?

Thank you! :uhoh3:

GadgetRN71, ASN, RN · Apr 24, 2008

Hey gang!
I am new here. I am looking for some advice...I am completely torn! The question is....Surgical tech or scrub nurse, which way should I go? I have read quite a bit lately that people who have switched from being a surg. tech to nursing would love to remain a surg tech and scrub in, if only the pay was better!!?!?!?! Is this a fair statement? Is money the motive for the switch? I am drawn to becoming a surg. tech, but people keep telling me to go into nursing.....more job opportunity, more money, etc. I want to be in the heart of the OR, I know that much. I feel I would absolutely love the duties of being a surg. tech, so why do people keep suggesting nursing? Is there something wrong with being "just a surgical tech" (as a doctor friend of mine put it the other day)?
One more question...after you have worked as a ST, how do you advance into becoming a first assistant?
Thank you!

Here's my take...I was a tech and went back for my RN. The money was a factor as well as the fact that you have many more options as a nurse should you be unable/unwilling to work the OR anymore. As a tech, you don't have as many options.

There are still hospitals that have RNs scrub. It makes you very marketable too if you can scrub and circulate. I get to scub pretty frequently but I like the fact that I can do both, I'm not locked into scrubbing all the time or circulating all the time

There's nothing wrong with being a tech. But also realize that even if you pursue first assist training as a tech, many hospitals and states don't recognize it(mine included). There are still many who don't recognize RN first assists.

You have to balance the cost of the surg tech programs in your area. Mine was $20,000 for an 18 month program and techs were making $10 an hour to start then. I paid only $6000 for my RN. Now, if the programs in your area are cheaper and quicker and the pay is decent then you may be fine with becoming a surg tech.

Annony RN · Apr 24, 2008

Just my little opinion but I think OR experience is very valuable almost anywhere you go in nursing. I've worked in the OR as well as peds, Med-surg, and ICU. I really feel that getting in there and scrubbing has firmed up my A&P knowlege base far more than any class ever has. I'm a very visual learner though. When something is going on ith a floor pt I really feel I have a better understanding. Also, often surgeons like to teach. If they know you are interested they'll tell you not just about the surgery itself but also other concerns the pt has, the s/s that lead up the surgery, the meds prescribed for the surgical problem, the reovery period... etc. Listening to the surgeon quiz residents is great, too. Soon you'll know the answers while they're standing looking clueless. Usually those questions are related to what they're assessing pre- and post- op.

Also, when you are comfortable as a tech and able to do your job with less thinking, you can turn some attention to the anesthesia provider who might be happy to point out a funky rhythm or tell you a bit about why a blood pressure might be tanking. We have our CSTs help out the circulators sometimes and I love helping them understand what's going on with anesthesia if I know they are interested in learning. Lots of fun cardio-pulmonary patho-phys going on there! I love learning from our CRNAs... makes me a better ICU nurse, I think.

mday156 · Jun 21, 2008

i am thinking of going to school for a certified surgical technician. the school i'm planning to attend is 'western career college', (the only one i found in my area), except for cc that require way too many pre-quisite. does anyone here attend that school? i would love to get any input, since the program is very expensive. ($33,000 for certificate or $41,000 for ass). i live in san jose area, ca .

anything will be appreciated.

GadgetRN71, ASN, RN · Jun 22, 2008

i am thinking of going to school for a certified surgical technician. the school i'm planning to attend is 'western career college', (the only one i found in my area), except for cc that require way too many pre-quisite. does anyone here attend that school? i would love to get any input, since the program is very expensive. ($33,000 for certificate or $41,000 for ass). i live in san jose area, ca .
anything will be appreciated.

i would do the cc program-that other program is way too expensive. :no: i have my associates both in nursing and surgical technology and the as i got for my tech degree was not really recognized by employers-meaning,i certainly didn't get paid anymore for having it, or for being certified for that matter. we have 2 techs in my or that didn't attend any program, they were brought from central sterile, and trained to scrub.

i don't know about your area, but around here techs start out at about 16.00 an hour. i think 33,000 for a certificate when techs don't even make that much is a crime.

ShariDCST · Jun 22, 2008

i am thinking of going to school for a certified surgical technician. the school i'm planning to attend is 'western career college', (the only one i found in my area), except for cc that require way too many pre-quisite. does anyone here attend that school? i would love to get any input, since the program is very expensive. ($33,000 for certificate or $41,000 for ass). i live in san jose area, ca .
anything will be appreciated.

that sounds like highway robbery to me as far as cost is concerned! please check around a little more before you commit to spending such an incredible amount of money. i have a technical certificate in surgical technology (as wasn't offered yet in 1993) from a state-wide community college system in indiana and i know that it wouldn't take much more than $6000 total to get their associates degree even now.

i have yet to encounter an employer in that length of time that gives any financial or professional advantage to those with degrees over those with technical certificates. i'm not saying they don't exist - or that they won't later - but the biggest thing they are most concerned with is you being certified, and you can do that with any fully accredited program.

there's not a thing in the world wrong with getting your degree - and it's going to be the "gold standard" for cst education sometime in the future - but my goodness, for that amount of money, you could probably pay for a 4 year degree in something elsewhere. it just doesn't seem to be the best "bang for your buck" as it were. you might even consider relocating for a better deal for a while. check also with teaching hospitals that might be running their own programs through their allied health schools. i can't imagine forking out that much cash for a 2 year (or less) program for anything.

if you do decide to go with them - ask lots of questions regarding their retention rate, their placement rate and the pass rate on the certification exam too. those numbers will tell more than the cost.

good luck!!

ewattsjt · Jun 23, 2008

Being a surgical tech is not for everyone. Some people love it and others love nursing. It is a personal preference. My problem with someone doing the surgical tech program as a stepping stone into nursing is that while most all prerequisites transfer to an associate in nursing, the core classes do not. In essence, one will have about a year in clinicals, classes, etc... that will not transfer.

To me, it is like recommending that one should be a CNA then a LPN/LVN, then an ADN. The others are unnecessary if a person wants the ADN in the first place. They should spent their time and money on the ADN. Yes the experience can help one but many others have done well without it.

Mday, IMHO, that seems way too much for a program (but I don’t know the cost of living in your area). I am like Shari in thinking you are not getting the bang for your buck with it.