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Discussion

RN or Surgical tech?

Hello,

Can anyone give me some insight? I was accepted to both an ADN nursing and surgical tech programs for the fall. I am trying to decide which would be worth the dedication? Anyone work in both fields and share their experience? I would love to work in the OR but I would also love to do patient care. Thanks!!

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    • Featured Replies

    I would go with the RN as you will have access to a variety of specialties and career opportunities. What if you hate the OR then you can always get a job somewhere else as a RN.

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    • Author

    Good point....thanks for your insight!

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    • Experts

    I'm pretty sure RNs also make significantly more than surg techs.

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    As far as job prospects go, they both have their difficulties. New grad STs are have just as much, if not more, trouble as new grad RNs in this market. Also, should you hate the OR, as an RN you would be able to move to another speciality more easily than a ST. There is more variety of work environments as an RN as STs are really only found in the OR.

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    • Admin

    I work in an OR with both other RNs and STs. There are quite a few of the STs who either have already completed nursing school, are attending nursing school, or are applying to nursing school. Why?

    1. Pay. The STs max out just below where nurses start on the pay scale.

    2. Flexibility. STs are pretty limited in where they can work. OR, maybe L&D for sections, ambulatory surgery centers, etc. There are some other avenues for STs to move around in the medical field such as company reps, but those require experience.

    3. Tight job market. Some of the STs who were in clinical in my facility aren't finding jobs after graduating. Unlike nursing, there isn't a big variety of settings in which to apply for jobs (see #2).

    Now, of those who are life-long STs, they love their job. They can make it work with what they are paid. Many don't have plans to change jobs at all- they want to retire from my facility. So, it really boils down to what you want to do.

    As far as the whole wanting to do patient care- believe me, RNs and STs in the OR do that, just not in the ways typically thought of as providing patient care. It's still very much hands on care; it's just that the patient may be anesthetized.

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