Should Surgical Technicians Circulate

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · May 2, 2004

There is actually longer schooling involved to become a CST, then there is to become an LPN. And they are also required to do an internship, before they can be considered done with their program. They will then have to go through a hospital's orientation....................

I am well aware of this, what i am saying is that in order to enter the scrub tech schooling at our facility (through the local CC), you have to be an LPN first, it's required.

LPN applicant, no license: "tech"

LPN with license, in "ST" school: (depending on position, but for example) Tech LPN

LPN with license, completed and certified scrub: LPN Scrub-Surg Tech

LPN with license, completed and certified scrub, with advanced training, and actively pursuing RN: LPN First Assist

carcha · May 2, 2004

In response to your question, Lonman, where I work only RN's work in the OR. Only RN's scrub, circulate, assist with anaesthetics, and recover. Only RN's. All patient care is planned and implemented by RN's throughout . Yes I have worked in OR's where we had ST's and Assistants ect ect and I have worked with wonderful ST's and Assistants. Did I mind taking overall responsibility of the OR then, of course not . Now however I must admit I love being and equal within the team. We have our head nurse and then we all work toghether and pool thoughts, ideas knowledge , experience and each takes and equal responsibility for patient care. It is also wonderful that we are interchangable and we all take turns in scrubbing, circulating, anaesthetics and recovery. I feel that I am truly a perioperative nurse. You ask Lonman it some RN's are afraid of ST's getting a license. What I would like to know is what difference would that licence make to the RN who works in the room with you. Is she/he less accountable for your actions?. If not then truly what difference does it make.

shodobe · May 3, 2004

LPN2be2004, kind of curious what state you live in. This could clear up so many misconceptions. I was one of the first to respond and really had type out a very long answer, but held back so I would not offend. I am quite clear on my views of CSTs or STs, they have their place, I quess. In my opinion, the OR could due without them, an RN trained well is a much better choice. Techs are one dimensional(sp) and yes they can open things, go an fetch something, but still are not qualified to circ a room. This whole question is a mute point since the majority of states, I hope, go along the lines of the AORN standards. As stevierae posted earlier it is NOT exceptable for a Tech to be in charge of a room. I only wished the US would adopt the standards the UK has. This is only my opinion, Techs will be here forever, the hospitals will see to that. Techs are a cheap labor force produced to fill in needed lack of qualified professionals. I told you my opinion is sharp. Sorry to rub some people the wrong way. Mike

Ferret · May 4, 2004

Hi All,

As I've said on other forums, here in Australia we don't have scrub techs. Only RN's scrub, as they are the SENIOR role responsible for the OR, and the scout, or circulating nurse is the junior role and can be done by an enrolled nurse, similar to your LPN's (I Think).

We do have anaesthetic technicians in some hospitals.

Does anyone know of any research articles available fulltext online that discusses the issue of technicians in the OR? There must be some literature available about this hotly debated issue. I am researching for a postgrad uni assignment on this issue and I would really appreciate any suggestions or good references either pro or con technicians in theatres.

We don't have them here.... Yet.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · May 4, 2004

LPN2be2004, kind of curious what state you live in. This could clear up so many misconceptions. I was one of the first to respond and really had type out a very long answer, but held back so I would not offend. I am quite clear on my views of CSTs or STs, they have their place, I quess. In my opinion, the OR could due without them, an RN trained well is a much better choice. Techs are one dimensional(sp) and yes they can open things, go an fetch something, but still are not qualified to circ a room. This whole question is a mute point since the majority of states, I hope, go along the lines of the AORN standards. As stevierae posted earlier it is NOT exceptable for a Tech to be in charge of a room. I only wished the US would adopt the standards the UK has. This is only my opinion, Techs will be here forever, the hospitals will see to that. Techs are a cheap labor force produced to fill in needed lack of qualified professionals. I told you my opinion is sharp. Sorry to rub some people the wrong way. Mike

I live in Virginia.

(And yes your opinion is sharp, but it gives me more determination to get in the OR (not as a circulator, by far, i have no desire to do that for some reason), even if i'm not an RN yet. But then again i might get there and not even want to be an RN. Who knows.)

Ferret · May 4, 2004

Hey LPN2B, I was an enrolled nurse for 9 years before registering, an I STILL don't know what I want to do with my life.... take your experiences as they come, and use what you have as a foundation to build new stuff onto... it sure works for me!

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · May 4, 2004

Yep, that's what i'm doing. :)

Ferret · May 4, 2004

Wow, 4 of us here at once? what a hot topic....

Good on you, LPN2B, go for it!

Ferret · May 12, 2004

I've done my paper, I'd be happy to email it to any interested parties...

It was very interesting reading some of the worldwide literature on the subject. Thanks to all those who contributed to this thread, it certainly provided inspiration to me.

RNKITTY04 · May 12, 2004

Wow what a great thread. I am a CST and am now in school to become a circulating RN. Lori, as always, is absolutly correct, I wanted to do more in the OR that is why I went back to school. Lonman I feel your remark to Lori was ugly and uncalled for.

And no I did'nt learn a thing in nursing school that will help me in the OR except maybe some additional people skills and how to read lab results, I am counting on great OR nurses to teach me the rest as I will (hopefully someday) do for the next new nurse.

I am proud to be a Surgical tech but even prouder to be a SN, soon to be GN than God willing an RN.

orrnlori, RN · May 12, 2004

Good luck with school Kitty. :)

Ferret · May 14, 2004

Lori, as always, is absolutly correct, I wanted to do more in the OR that is why I went back to school. Lonman I feel your remark to Lori was ugly and uncalled for.
And no I did'nt learn a thing in nursing school that will help me in the OR

G'day All,

Way to go Kitty, I have to agree with all you've just said. Nursing and OR have little to do with each other, but it is the way that you learn to think, and the extra critical judgement and pathophysiology, and flexibility that makes all the difference. Besides, being registered, you have the legal responsibility and authority to take on all the roles in an OR.

Lonman, we have no ST's in Australia, Only RN's scrub, and if your attitude is at all representative of your profession, I'm glad we have none of you here. I've been researching non-regulated heath care workers recently for a paper, and the conclusions were poor. Nurses should run all aspects of theatres.

OR RN's ARE a cut above the rest.

Jason 8^)