nurses manged by surgical technologists

Nurses Activism

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Hi, I am a new comer to allnurses. I have been a surgical technologist for more than 20 yrs, went back to school and got a BSN. Through new design of the OR we have a nurse and tech that work together to manage each specialty. I however am under the understanding that the tech is higher than the nurse in the department. I am sure there are techs out there that think this is the greatest thing next to God and some that just sail along and work together like it should be. My question is this, how can a subordinate in an OR room be higher than a nurse? Can they do my evaluation and reprimand a nurse. The explanation to me is they are management and they are "higher than a nurse". I worked very hard for my degree and this makes me feel like what did I do it for?

I have been at the same institution the entire time and they have a clear case of "assistant syndrome" for me. I know that the only way I will get away from this is to change jobs or suck it up. Its just damn hard to see the lack of respect for one and enormous amount for another nurse that may even be a new grad.

My place of employment has visible favoritism, some can do no wrong other if you don't smile you are in the office getting a verbal warning.........

Help!!!

I am starting a surg tech program this fall and in my research this seems to be a hot topic of sorts in several forums I post in regarding who should be 'top dog' in the OR. Actually one site was openly bashing Allnurses and telling other members not to post on here because they bash on techs.:mad: Needless to say I do not post there anymore and deleted my account.

As you said each person is there to work together under their own specialty and a hospital should clearly define who answers to who. Having everyone try to be top dog in any work environment will not have a good outcome.

Specializes in Cardiothoracic ICU.

Um, if you want to avoid this drama you could leave the OR. Who cares if you are managed by a tech. Who gets paid more? Nurses in the OR might as well be techs anyways.

Specializes in Surgery, Med/Surg/ICU, OB-Peds, Ophth.

Is the manager of the scrubs a surgical technician or technologist? I thought the technologist had at least another year of training over the tech, but I am not sure. To clarify, is the an RN manager for the circulators and the technologist managing the scrubs? That would seem legit to me. I have been an LPN for 19 years, SA for 15 years and I am a CSA now and finishing my AA. Our scrubs are mostly LPNS and 2 CST and one receptionist, who is now elbowing into assisting and wanting to close skin with no medical credentialing. We are managed by one RN, and we hare core managers for area departments-all are RNs that have been in the dept for at least 10 years.

Specializes in ED, ICU, MS/MT, PCU, CM, House Sup, Frontline mgr.
hi, i am a new comer to allnurses. i have been a surgical technologist for more than 20 yrs, went back to school and got a bsn. through new design of the or we have a nurse and tech that work together to manage each specialty. i however am under the understanding that the tech is higher than the nurse in the department.

my place of employment has visible favoritism, some can do no wrong other if you don't smile you are in the office getting a verbal warning.........

help!!!

ok, this why i did not go into the or. unlike you i worked as a tech briefly and saw how the nurses were treated and wanted nothing to do with the or unless i had no choice. anyway, either find an environment that was much like your old one where i suspect that everyone was treated as a teammate or leave. i know of a former surg tech that thrived in the or. he returned to his original or because he had managed to gain the respect of the docs and staff. therefore, he also got to (ahem, off the record) assist with surgeries. techs did not dare treat him like a second class citizen. soon after having working as a rn he was able to run the place. :up:

if you remain where you are at, you will just need to regain your reputation as someone who brings a lot to the table even as a nurse. also, after a few years get your first assist and start assisting again. gl!

Specializes in Vascular Neurology and Neurocritical Care.

In most OR settings, I have been to RNs delegated to the surg. techs. In fact, at my current hospital describes the surgical technologist's job description, and I quote:"Working under the general direction of the surgeon and the RN, the surgical technologist is responsible for anticipating the equipment needs of the procedure and setting up the operating room accordingly. The surgical technologist will set up sterile fields and maintain sterility at all times."

In most OR settings, I have been to RNs delegated to the surg. techs. In fact, at my current hospital describes the surgical technologist's job description, and I quote:"Working under the general direction of the surgeon and the RN, the surgical technologist is responsible for anticipating the equipment needs of the procedure and setting up the operating room accordingly. The surgical technologist will set up sterile fields and maintain sterility at all times."

This is my understanding of the matter. Your description (OP) does not sound like a very pleasant working environment.

Specializes in Vascular Neurology and Neurocritical Care.

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This was an issue recently in Ma--

Here is a copy of the proposed law-

http://www.aorn.org/applications/GvtAffairs/stateinfo.asp?state=MA

In most OR settings, I have been to RNs delegated to the surg. techs. In fact, at my current hospital describes the surgical technologist's job description, and I quote:"Working under the general direction of the surgeon and the RN, the surgical technologist is responsible for anticipating the equipment needs of the procedure and setting up the operating room accordingly. The surgical technologist will set up sterile fields and maintain sterility at all times."

This has always been my understanding.

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