NS Switching to Surgery Tech?

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First a little backstory..I am a 22 yr old wife and mother of a beautiful 20 mth old son. 6 months ago I deceided that I REALLY wanted to go back to school. So I started looking at schools and figuring out where my passion was. My husband pointed out how I recorded EVERY show that had anything to do with hospitals and surgeries and was always telling him about different operations. DING DING light bulb went off..I LOVE surgery! So I found a great surgery tech program.

Before beginning the said surgery tech program I did a lot of research and deceided my dream was to be a first assistant. I did even more research and deceided I wanted to go into nursing because of all of the other possibilities, pay, and prestige that would come along with it. The schooling was the same amount of time, because both programs ended in an associates degree.

Well yesterday my school announces (6 days before class scheduling) that they are getting rid of the Associates degree in nursing and replacing it with a new BSN program. This program will take 5 years and because this is a very prestigous private college it will cost over $50,000 dollars. I now feel like the best option is to just go back to being a surgery tech and upon completion of that program, enroll in a first assistant program.

My question is: I have seen so many ugly fights on here about surgery techs, Is it a bad idea? For thos of you that are/have been surgery techs..any advice? OR nurses:What is your take on the situation?

I guess I am feeling so lost, stressed, and rushed in my decision and any advice and opinons would be greatly appreciated. THANKS!

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Specializes in Peri-Op.

I was a tech. I'm now a nurse. I can do their job. They legally can't ever do mine. Most techs I have known through 12+ years in the OR want to be a RN. I have never met an RN that wanted to be a tech. I say stick with the RN. You will make more money and Have lots of options when you get out instead on one....

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I completly understand that, and I am truly terrified of making the wrong decision. The reason I am swaying towards ST is because in all honesty I dont think I have a passion for actual nursing. I have worried all summer about getting through nursing clinicals because I am interested in very few parts of nursing; mainly RNFA, assesements/diagnosis/ and medication administration. In doing my research today I discovered that my school offers a bridge from AS to BS (in biology). So I am considering doing ST-FA-BS-PA. I so wish I had more than 5 days to figure this out. Does anyone know anything about PA's in the OR? When I googled First Assistant I found a few threads discussing the importance for PA's in the OR, but until today I had not heard of it. THANKS :)

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Specializes in Peri-Op.

We have a few. You would have better luck as an rnfa. There are tons of pas around..... very few get into the OR. With the RN you can be an NP and do very well also with as much or more prescriptive authority to boot.

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I think I have made up my mind, I am going to get my associates degree in surgical technology and then go to the Meridian Institute at Vanderbilt for their First Assistant program. If I find the time after that its on to PA school. Thanks all for the advice, but I just dont think I feel the excitement for nursing the way I do for surgery.

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I have been a surgical tech for 40 years. i am a LPN that learned to scrub on the job.Back in the 60s it was almost see one do one teach one. Most of my nurses want to scrub,they are tired of paperwork and running their butts off. Yeah,I do not make the same salary,but not the responsibility. I have spent a lot of time teaching new nurses. Most of them welcome my help.Many a experienced tech has ''circulated'' from the mayo stand. Directing new nurses.And if you decide to go into nursing ,the experience will be incredible, and you will be almost OR ready

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Specializes in Peri-Op.

I agree with Mercys, the experience as a ST is excellent regarldess of where you go from there.

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Thanks Mercy I really respect your many years of experience. Argo thanks for replying so many times, I really truly appreciate the advice. I just feel so excited when I think about surgery, and when I was thinking about nursing I always felt unsure and stressed. I think my school cancelling the program may be a blessing in disguise. I have been researching non-stop for the past 3 days and I am amazed at the amazing things Im reading about the Meridian Institute at vanderbilt. I agree with Mercy, I may not make nearly the same amount of money as a st/cfa as I would as an OR nurse, but thats where my passion is at. I think money cannont make you happy if your in a job you dont love. MERCYS- Do you think it would be beneficial to get my LPN as well as Surgical Tech? Would that give me an advantage? Could I then scrub or circulate? Just trying to learn as much as I can. Thanks you so much your opinions and knowledge as such an experienced member of an allied health profession are invaluable!

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Specializes in L&D, OR, travel.

A different angle here: $50,000 is a lot of money for an education. Are there jobs for GN's and Rn's in your city or nearby? Will there be when you graduate? Jobs for new grads are scarce in many areas now, for a variety of reasons. Colleges, both state and private are recruiting students for positions that may not be available. In our city there aren't enough nursing jobs for those funded by the hospital scholarships. Many former factory cities have opened programs to retrain auto workers etc for the health field, including nurses. These programs are costly as yours is. Be careful about the pitch you are hearing from the recruiters. They are Sales people.

RNFA's and surgical assistants are used in a variety of settings througout the country. Again the websites you see for these programs are filled with promise about jobs and salaries that can't possibly be accurate. Its hard to know what the health care future will be.

Deb

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A different angle here: $50,000 is a lot of money for an education. Are there jobs for GN's and Rn's in your city or nearby? Will there be when you graduate? Jobs for new grads are scarce in many areas now, for a variety of reasons. Colleges, both state and private are recruiting students for positions that may not be available. In our city there aren't enough nursing jobs for those funded by the hospital scholarships. Many former factory cities have opened programs to retrain auto workers etc for the health field, including nurses. These programs are costly as yours is. Be careful about the pitch you are hearing from the recruiters. They are Sales people.

RNFA's and surgical assistants are used in a variety of settings througout the country. Again the websites you see for these programs are filled with promise about jobs and salaries that can't possibly be accurate. Its hard to know what the health care future will be.

Deb

I definatly realize $50,000 dollars is a lot of money that is one of the reasons I declined to continue in that new program. It will only cost me $8,000 (after grants) to get my associates degree in surgical technology. When my husband and I first discussed the program change we both agreed that it wasnt responsible to spend 5 years and put our family in such a hefty debt for a profession that may or may not have availabilities when I graduate. It would take me a decade just to pay back my loans if I stayed with the new BSN program. I live in a very rural area in Louisiana so thankfully their are a lot of job openings in the health field. The pay is quite a bit lower than the rest of the country however. I am becoming a Surgical First Assistant more for myself than for my career. I understand that hospitals in my area do not pay much more for FA than they do for ST, but Its my passion so its worth the time.Thanks for the advice. Oh and by the way I havent spoken to any recruiters, I haven't ever even heard of a recruiter in my area (thats probably why their are so many job openings lol)

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If you spend the time and money in tech training do not do the LPN. It will not make any difference. My hosp pays LPN and tech the same. And unless hosp goes back to using LPN you may only have option at nursing homes. And the big bonus most hosp pay for continuning education. So you may be able to work as a Tech and have the hosp pay for most of nursing school. I have worked with several techs that did this and a few surgical assistants. Hard to do but it is doable.Good luck,

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My advice is to make one decision at a time. If working in the OR is your passion then go for the ST training first. If you go for RN first that doesn't guarantee that you will be hired in the OR as they may want experience but if you are a ST that's where you will work. As you progress with your training and clinicals and then work, you will be in a better position to make decisions regarding your future education.

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