Surgical Tech and RN info

[shanjayden422]

Im currently taking my prereq's for nursing, and should be entering the actual program Spring semester of 2010 . Im definately going to be taking some filler courses now until the program. There is a surgical tech program at my school and i was going to do that as well. If i get my RN then have my surgical tech finished as well, does that mean ill be able to be a surgical RN in the OR? Im just really new to this and have been and will conitnue to be full time in school to finish everything. And i want to work in the OR. I guess i want to know if i get my RN and the surgical tech, what exactly does that entitle me to? Any info will help a lot. Thanks :wink2:

[surgnurse1]

Nice to know you are so motivated to be a OR Nurse! It used to be only those with nursing experience or OR background were accepted in the OR. But in the last few years with the nursing shortage that is not the norm anymore. Depending on where u live/work it's possible you can even get at position as a OR nurse without experience now. I was a Surg Tech then went back for my nursing degree, it certainly gives u a bigger edge and understanding of what u will be doing. If you have the time and resources to finish a ST program, I say go for it! A nurse who can scrub is very valuable indeed in an OR. Good Luck!:nuke:

[Babs0512]

Please, no body flame me, this is a legit question. I work in PACU, as such, after hours I often go in the OR to watch procedures, to keep myself awake while on call, and to learn a few new things.

I completely get the OR surgical tech position. I have absolutely no idea why they need a circulating RN - they do nothing "nurse like". They don't assess patients, or give meds. They help position patients, do the time out, put orders for labs or x-rays in computer, count equipment and sponges, run for sutures or xtra items or IV fluids, etc... a tech could do all of these, why an RN?

I was speaking with an RN I work with whose wife is an OR nurse, and he agrees with me. I guess I can't see paying a "nurse" to do something a tech could do.

Don't flame me, I'm really not trying to be argumentative, just after observing for 3 years now, I can't see any reason for their to be a circulating "nurse".

[Root76]

The main reason there is a circulating RN is that they are the only ones allowed to administer medications. The tech can hand local injections to the surgeon, but the RN must be the one to introduce the meds to the field. The tech is working under the RN because the tech is not licensed, they only have OJT or a certificate.

A tech surely could do the job of a circulator, there are just many things that are out of the scope of their practice, legally speaking.

Hope this helps.