scrub nurse?

Published

This may belong on the GA post, but does anyone know if the scope of practice for an LPN could include being an OR scrub nurse? During one of my clinical rotations I was able to observe a C-section. I was facinated by all the scrub nurse was doing. Just curious! Thanks

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Geriatrics/Family Practice.

Not here in Northern Illinois.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Mother-Baby, Rehab, Hospice, Memory Care.

In Washington state, yes. I scrub for C-Sections and work as a postpartum nurse in a hospital childbirth center.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
This may belong on the GA post, but does anyone know if the scope of practice for an LPN could include being an OR scrub nurse? During one of my clinical rotations I was able to observe a C-section. I was facinated by all the scrub nurse was doing. Just curious! Thanks

I am from GA, but not living there now, so not up on the scope of practice, but a friend of mine went back to get her OR Tech cert, and was then hired as a private scrub nurse, and she was highly desired and employable....a scrub tech who could do the IV's and meds, and scrub in....remember a CRNA or Anesthesiologist would do meds in the OR anyway....but she did the L/D and NICU and was really good, knew a lot!!!

:)

oh, you can sometimes skip a lot of the classes too, the same as LPN school except the instruments and technical stuff.

Deb

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Yeah baby, the scrub techs got it going on! The best job in the OR if you ask me. Here there is a hospital that uses LPNs in L/D and they can scrub on c-sections. I think most places you would have to take the Tech course if you wanted to do general OR. Good luck, Jules

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I love the OR, and I really really had to think about whether I wanted my LPN (well in CA, LVN..same same) or to do OR Tech school. I prayed and decided that as an LPN, and then go on for my RN, I would have more options open to me....and possibly go to get my OR Tech cert too, would make me a lot more desirable in hiring for like PACU, OR, or L&D, or Same Day Surgery Center, which is what I love. I also love, love plastics, so I would love to work in a Plastic Surgery Center as well.

I am not the type to work on a floor passing meds, I really enjoy the technical aspect of nursing, lots going on. I started way back in 85 after my 1st year in college, I moved back home, started taking classes at our junior college, and got a part time job working at the hospital as a phlebotomist. I loved it, and that got me thinking of going into nursing. At that time I could have gotten my RN very easily, no waiting like now adays. SO, I found out I was pregnant, had a bad/hard pregnancy and had to quit school and go on bed rest and for the past 20 years its been a race trying to finish school. Hubby was in the Air Force, and so everytime I caught up with the wait list, we moved, and this college wanted these pre-reqs, this college said no, you can start your RN right away. I just never could finish. Kids were young, etc... now my kids are 21 and 19 and I can finally put myself first, and my hubby is gone all the time with his job, so I finally feel like I am going to make it. I am starting TOMORROW!! LPN school, here in California, so LVN, whatever, and they are starting a bridge program next year after graduation, it rolls right into the RN program. So, I will either wait 3-6 months to start the RN portion right after LPN school, and at that time I can decide what to do.

I am not really sure I feel like getting my BSN after that, or a masters as once I get my RN, as long as I can work in an area I really like, I will be very happy.

I just wish I had known then what I know now....right? That's what everyone wants :) Hindsight 20/20.

Anyway, back on topic, I love, love the OR..........and I so will do what is necessary to get to that position. I have no ambitions for any extra letters behind my name, no CRNA, or big ambitions, just the OR, and if I can get that job satisfaction as an LPN with an OR Tech cert, or RN with an OR Tech cert, then I will be happy as a clam!! I just want to assist, and be allowed to help somewhat in the OR, more than counting sponges and laps.

:)

Good Luck to everyone!! Just think of getting an OR Tech skill on top of your LPN, and I personally think it would make you highly desirable, and at least you wouldn't have to work LTC if you don't want to....just opens more doors. The more edumacation, the more doors will open ;)

:)

Deb

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Mother-Baby, Rehab, Hospice, Memory Care.

You may not have to get an tech certificate to be an LPN scrub nurse. I was trained on the job to scrub for C-Sections with no additional certifcations needed. However that is the only surgery I do. In my training I scrubbed in on other abdominal and ob surgeries for more practice and they are all fairly similar. So it is a skill that can be taught on the job. That is how they train perioperative RN's. It's a 6 month training period where they are taught to scrub and circulate.

After all, before surgical techs existed it was only nurses who did it. Many techs were trained on the job but a few years back it became required for them to be certified by attending a program for it.

The downside is that it may be difficult to find an OR job as an LPN without already having the scrub training. I am 1 of only 2 LPN's in my hospital who do it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

I have thought about being a scrub nurse myself. May start to look for OR training courses in my area. Yeah, they've got it going on!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Where is MarieLPN when we could use her input??

Anybody seen her posting lately?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion