Scrub...or circulator?

Corvette Guy · May 12, 2006

When you are an OR nurse, do you scrub or circulate? And is that up to you? Do they get the same rate of pay? I'm just curious because an OR scrub nurse sounds like it would be more "fun" than an OR circulator nurse. I would want to be up there right in the action. If anyone could let me know that would be great. Thanks! But also I know you can be a surgical technician but you wouldn't get a higher pay than a nurse, right?

Most hospitals [OR Depts] in the South use RNs primarily as Circulators. However, some states up North use RNs for both Circulator & Scrub role.

Yes, in most cases OR Techs [CST, Scrub Tech, or Surg Tech] make less $$$ than an RN in the OR Dept. The exception would be a new RN compared to an OR Tech that has been doing such for 10+ years.

ORSmurf · May 12, 2006

I work in Northern California and all of the RN's in our OR can scrub. We also have scrub techs, so we don't get to scrub all the time. I usually just do scrub breaks once or twice a week, and maybe actually scrub all day 3-5 days a month.

shodobe · May 13, 2006

I work an ALL RN OR staff, so we all scrub and circulate. I have yet to see a Tech make more than an RN in any OR department. The Tech with alo of years might get close to what the RN makes but shouldn't make more because of education and the fact they have a degree and not a certification. This is only my opinion so all the techs can just simmer down and not take this personally because I don't debate issues amymore on this site.

CuttingEdgeRN · May 13, 2006

When you are an OR nurse, do you scrub or circulate? And is that up to you? Do they get the same rate of pay? I'm just curious because an OR scrub nurse sounds like it would be more "fun" than an OR circulator nurse. I would want to be up there right in the action. If anyone could let me know that would be great. Thanks! But also I know you can be a surgical technician but you wouldn't get a higher pay than a nurse, right?

When you are a staff RN in the OR, your pay is the same while scrubbing, circulating, pulling cases, helping out in holding area, or doing whatever you are assigned to at that moment! An RN is not hired in the OR, to ONLY scrub or ONLY circulate. NOW my opinion is that scrubbing is "more fun" and USUALLY "easier with less responsibility" than circulating.

sunnyjohn · May 13, 2006

This is not ment to be rude, but how can you just tell someone to "simmer' down and not get offended after saying that, even it is just a personal opinion? Telling someone NOT to get offended is like throwing kerosene on a flickering flame and saying it won't explode.

1. Few techs make more than RN's. In states were RN wages are depressed (which make me as a future nurse angry) a tech may find themselves with an hourly wage very close to that of a new grad or RN with less than 2 years experience.

( Fresh out of scrub school I was offered $1.00 less than new grad RN's. As a regular staff CST I have made more than a few newer nurses. As a traveller I've made MUCH more. I reconginise that I am fortunate. I was always taught I was my own advocate and would negotiate any wage offer. I will continue to do this as a nurse, following the advice of folks I admire on this board.)

2. Many surgical tech programs are degree granting programs. For some time the move has been to turn the old diploma scrub program into Associate degree programs.

3. After receiving their diploma or degree, a ST graduate from an Association of Surigcal Technologist (AST) accredited program may apply to take the certification test. If they past the test they may use the title CST.

4. Certification is still not mandatory for employment, but many employers are seeing the wisdom of hiring techs who have gone the extra mile, attended and AST approved program and taken the certification exam to prove their competence.

To gain admission to a program, a candidate must have a year of college A&P, often English composition, Communications, Math and Medical Terminology. The program will include the basics of pharmacology, surgical pathology along with the in's and outs of the scrub role.

No, surgical tech education is NOT the same as nursing education and they will NEVER be a replacement for OR nurses. Of that I am happy. As a member of AST and soon to be nurse I am very proud of my role in the organization and continue to support AST's push to streamline all surgical tech programs, push for the closure of bad ones and insist employers hire employees who are degreed and test-certified.

shodobe · May 13, 2006

You just validated all that I said. There are alot of techs out there that will always think they should make more than an RN because of their skill level. The tech of today is still a one dimensional individual where an RN who can BOTH scrub and circ can be used in a multitude of roles. I have been around long enough to except the position of techs in the OR and know they will only increase their demand throughout the ORs of this country. I am one that advocates and ALL RN staff and will continue until I retire, just a mere 10 years away. I can't help that I have this opinion and have no hard feelings against techs because they are a position created out of the need of hospital administrators to cut down costs. Still, this is only my opinion and I would still continue to help train and direct techs if and when the oppurtunity arose. Good well trained techs are still needed and all "older" RNs should do their best to see they are trained well because they are still part of the system.

Corvette Guy · May 13, 2006

I work an ALL RN OR staff, so we all scrub and circulate. I have yet to see a Tech make more than an RN in any OR department. The Tech with alo of years might get close to what the RN makes but shouldn't make more because of education and the fact they have a degree and not a certification. This is only my opinion so all the techs can just simmer down and not take this personally because I don't debate issues amymore on this site.

FYI; A Certified Surgical Technologist [via national exam] can also hold a degree[Associate of Applied Science in Surgical Technology].

BTW; I know for a FACT of some Certified Surgical Techs that make MORE $$$ than RNs in a particular OR department.

So; I'm neither wanting a debate, nor am I currently a CST [1995-1998]. However, I have a tremendous amount of respect for CSTs and would never look down on any health care professional. I certainly don't like it when some MDs look down on RNs, either.

Corvette Guy · May 13, 2006

This is not ment to be rude, but how can you just tell someone to "simmer' down and not get offended after saying that, even it is just a personal opinion? Telling someone NOT to get offended is like throwing kerosene on a flickering flame and saying it won't explode.
1. Few techs make more than RN's. In states were RN wages are depressed (which make me as a future nurse angry) a tech may find themselves with an hourly wage very close to that of a new grad or RN with less than 2 years experience.
( Fresh out of scrub school I was offered $1.00 less than new grad RN's. As a regular staff CST I have made more than a few newer nurses. As a traveller I've made MUCH more. I reconginise that I am fortunate. I was always taught I was my own advocate and would negotiate any wage offer. I will continue to do this as a nurse, following the advice of folks I admire on this board.)
2. Many surgical tech programs are degree granting programs. For some time the move has been to turn the old diploma scrub program into Associate degree programs.
3. After receiving their diploma or degree, a ST graduate from an Association of Surigcal Technologist (AST) accredited program may apply to take the certification test. If they past the test they may use the title CST.
4. Certification is still not mandatory for employment, but many employers are seeing the wisdom of hiring techs who have gone the extra mile, attended and AST approved program and taken the certification exam to prove their competence.
To gain admission to a program, a candidate must have a year of college A&P, often English composition, Communications, Math and Medical Terminology. The program will include the basics of pharmacology, surgical pathology along with the in's and outs of the scrub role.
No, surgical tech education is NOT the same as nursing education and they will NEVER be a replacement for OR nurses. Of that I am happy. As a member of AST and soon to be nurse I am very proud of my role in the organization and continue to support AST's push to streamline all surgical tech programs, push for the closure of bad ones and insist employers hire employees who are degreed and test-certified.

Sunnyjohn - You are going to make an excellent RN D/T it is obvious you have an appreciation for ALL members involved in the collaborative effort towards patient care.

sunnyjohn · May 14, 2006

Sunnyjohn - You are going to make an excellent RN D/T it is obvious you have an appreciation for ALL members involved in the collaborative effort towards patient care.

Thanks. That meant a lot.:balloons:

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · May 16, 2006

Sunnyjohn - You are going to make an excellent RN D/T it is obvious you have an appreciation for ALL members involved in the collaborative effort towards patient care.

I second this. It's quite obvious that you see the value of everyone involved in pt. care.

sunnyjohn · May 16, 2006

I second this. It's quite obvious that you see the value of everyone involved in pt. care.

Thanks Marie. That was very kind.:balloons: