Surg Tech turned RN?

TakeTwoAspirin, MSN, RN, APRN · Feb 18, 2010

I was a tech first, although I spent several years in the OR first before returning to RN school. It worked very well for me. As a new RN I had the edge over other new nurses trying to get into the OR because I clearly had a lot of experience and wasn't totally fresh to the environment. Employers also like the flexibility that is afforded them when you can scrub and circulate. Good luck, I hope things turn out the way you hope.

SandraCVRN · Feb 18, 2010

We have/had as many as 4 RN's that had been scrubs, and currently have 3 scrubs in RN school. Good luck.....

StudentMnc · Feb 25, 2010

Thank you for both of your responses.

Now, how easy is it to become an OR RN, simply out of Nursing School? I'm still debating whether I should take the extra year to complete the surgical tech certificate before beginning the Nursing courses?

Thanks again,

Monica :confused:

TakeTwoAspirin, MSN, RN, APRN · Feb 25, 2010

That's a really tough call. In the job market today any "in" or "edge" that you have can make the difference between getting a job in your chosen specialty, or not. Of course, the market could turn on a dime and we could go back to the halcion days when new grads could pick their specialty and get to pick from multiple offers. Nobody can make that prediction/decison for you.

I will say this, however, if you go to tech school and get a job in an OR you may be able to take advantage of your employers tuition reimbursement plan to finance nursing school and have a job/employer who will work with you with regard to accommodating hours so that you can attend your classes.

You will need to take a very close look at your local job market to see where the best opportunities currently lie. If it is easier to get a job as a new grad tech as opposed to a new grad nurse personally I would go that route and get my foot in the door. If not, go to NS and by then the job market for GN may be completely different.

ORNurse1 · May 27, 2010

I was a scrub tech for 12 years before I went to school for my ADN. It made my job a lot easier to circulate because I already knew what was happening on the field. I also can tell when the scrub person is missing items needed for the surgery so I have it before they need it so I don't have to run for it. Usually the turn over rate for techs is higher than nurses so easier to get a job. Then when you become an RN it will make it even easier to get an OR position because not all RN can scrub. I did take advantage of the nursing forgiveness program at my job that paid me back all the expenses I had for nursing school. Currently I am working on my BSN and they are paying for it as well.