Surgical Tech and then RN??

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I was thinking about getting a degree in Surgical Technology as a stepping stone to an RN. That way I can really get in the action, get to know the "right" people and hopefuly not have to hard of time landing a job once I graduate from nursing school. Do you think thata would be a good idea?;)

Specializes in PeriOperative.
"Perioperative nursing IS NOT taught in RN school."

Not always true. We had a solid month worth of training in this field.

The only programs I know that teach perioperative nursing (in the US, at least) are diploma programs, which are few and far between. A month is really not enough time to learn much, but is better than the 6 hours that most nursing students get.

I've worked in the OR for almost 12 years, and strongly disagree with the statement that it is an abusive environment. It is, however, not for everyone.

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I think you should definately just do straight RN. I got my LVN first, because I just couldn't go to RN school at the time. You can also get your LVN and work and earn more money while going for your RN and gaining nursing experience :)

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The only programs I know that teach perioperative nursing (in the US, at least) are diploma programs, which are few and far between. A month is really not enough time to learn much, but is better than the 6 hours that most nursing students get.

I've worked in the OR for almost 12 years, and strongly disagree with the statement that it is an abusive environment. It is, however, not for everyone.

Penn State has an interesting program, but it is for GNs and RNs: http://www.pennstatehershey.org/web/nursing/education/internships/perioperative#fragment-1931227-1

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
One of the moderators here, if I remember correctly, states that she became a Medical Assistant, but never worked as one because she could not get a job.
I think that you are referring to me. I completed a medical assisting program in 2000, at the age of 19, and was never able to land a job as a MA.

Anyhow, I feel that you should directly pursue the RN program if time and money are not issues for you. If you need to quickly get your feet wet with experience, I would complete a fast-track LPN/LVN program, work for a year, and then complete an LPN-to-RN bridge program. Paramedic-to-RN programs also exist, although they are becoming rarities these days.

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Specializes in Operating Room.
Ok, so you've heard a lot of cons. Here are some pros: You will have a leg up on the competition, especially if you go into OR nursing. Perioperative nursing IS NOT taught in RN school. You will have a much better idea of anatomy and a fair amount of medical devices than many of your fellow students. You will be able to get your foot in the door and many employers will pay part or all of your RN school tuition.

With that being said, thorough investigation is a must! Look at the hospitals and ASCs in your area and see if they are hiring scrubs. Call them and ask if they have a preference hiring scrubs from one or two specific schools. Call the schools and ask what their job placement rates are upon graduation.

This is sound advice..I was a surgical technologist before I became an RN and i worked while I was in school too. I had a job waiting for me in the OR months before graduation. :yeah:

But, I would only advise the ST route if you can get the training cheaply and quickly..and if you think you'll enjoy scrubbing. You seem like you really want the RN path so what I would do is see if you can get an internship in the OR as a senior student..worse comes to worse, try to get a job as an OR assistant. The OR is very big on growing their own nurses..so the more you make your face known, the better. Good luck!

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If you have your heart set on working as an OR nurse I would do the surgical tech program first then go on to become an RN. Many OR's want experience and that would give you a leg up on the competition. If you are not set on working in surgery I would go directly to the RN program.

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Specializes in Medsurg/ICU, Mental Health, Home Health.
If you have your heart set on working as an OR nurse I would do the surgical tech program first then go on to become an RN. Many OR's want experience and that would give you a leg up on the competition. If you are not set on working in surgery I would go directly to the RN program.

I agree 100%. Learning the scrub role is the hardest part for an RN.

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I have a question.. I want to become an RN. There are plenty of jobs around my area and also plenty of people looking for those jobs. I really need to get my foot in the door in order to stand a chance of getting an RN position. I was thinking about a CNA course since we do not have a surgical technican course at my school. Woudl the CNA path be a good one to take, or should I go for the LPN program and then RN? Thanks so much!

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I dont' know how all ST programs work, but the one in my area is a 2 year program from a community college. One that also offers an ADN degree. So 2 years for ST or 2 years for RN. Either way, has many of the same pre-req's and has the same 2 years of a program.

And to reply to another comment about RN programs not teaching perioperative, mine sure did. It didn't place a huge emphasis on the INTRAoperative phase (although we did cover it), but it certainly covered the pre and post operative (which is why its called med/SURG nursing). And my NCLEX exam had many perioperative questions on it.

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I am currently a care partner in the OR and also a nursing student. I like the OR as a nursing assistant, but would not want to be an OR nurse. If you are wanting to be a Circulator, Scrub nurse, or First Assist then an ST program may be good for you to give you a leg up when applying to OR internships. However it probably won't give you much advantage when applying for nursing schools or applying for a floor nurse position.

Depending on the area of the country that you are working will depend on the jobs available. I am in VA and one of my ST friends had 4 job offers when she finished her program 3-4 years ago. Nursing jobs are also difficult to find now too, since budgeting is tighter and nurses are keeping their jobs rather than retiring.

The OR is a great place to work. Where I am we have 23 rooms and a huge number of attending, residents, nurses, scrubs, anesthesia, students, and care partners. If you don't get along or mesh well with a few people, there are plenty of others to talk to. A few surgeons can have that "mightier than thou" attitude" but most are really chill and a lot hang out with other nurses outside of the OR. So as far as it being a hostile environment I will have to disagree.

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Specializes in Trauma Surgery, Nursing Management.

My nursing school focused heavily on the perioperative phase of nursing. We spent an entire semester on pre/intra/post op care of the patient. We spent one month actually in the OR setting and another in the PACU.

OP, my advice to you would be to go straight to RN school. If you decide on OR nursing, there are several hospitals that have a nurse intern program that entails a year of classroom and hands on training for the OR. It is an intense program, but one that is chock full of useful information that you will need to become proficient in the OR. The nurse intern program typically has about 8-10 students assigned to a primary nursing educator, and you will rotate through every service in the OR. You will be paired with a preceptor every day and will learn how to circulate and scrub in each service. You are paid the regular staff nurse pay while in the program, and when you "graduate" from the program, you will then be eligible for annual salary increases and bonuses. It is an invaluable experience, and makes for a WONDERFUL OR nurse. I have precepted many of these nurse interns and truly enjoy watching them grow and learn.

Sometimes the OR can be a hostile environment, but I suppose it is all in what you make of it. If a doc yells at me for something dumb that I did, I deserve it. After the case is over, I will pull the surgeon aside and apologize and request that he not yell, but calmly point out what I am doing wrong. Most of the time, this strategy works. However, sometimes you get a surgeon who is yelling just to be a princess. I call them on it right then and there, and if they continue to be a jackwagon, I write them up or speak to the department chair, but I let them know to expect this from me. This is rare, and I have only had to do this a few times in my career.

You do have to be assertive in the OR, but that is not to say that you don't have to be assertive in any area of nursing. You must. The OR is different only because you spend so much time with the surgeons, and they will push your buttons if you let them. The OR staff in general is a great group of people. I love my coworkers and help them out whenever I can because they do the same for me. It is a tightly knit unit.

Go for your RN. I think you would look back and be glad that you did. What programs are you looking into? Have you researched what scholarships and grants you would be eligible for? Good luck to you!

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Specializes in future OB/L&D nurse(I hope) or hospice.

Thank you all so much for the advice. I initially had just decided to go for the RN and began taking my pre-reqs in spring 2009. I only have 2 more classes to go before being able to apply for the program. Now, had I done some research and realized I could have gone into the LPN program amost immediately because there are no pre-reqs required I may have gone that route,or the CNA route. Since I am so close to being done with my pre-reqs I have decided to just go for the RN. I am 41 and do not need to waste any more time.:lol2: I really do not know what specialty I want to go into. I had always wanted to be in L & D. But it looks like it is very hard to get into that area. I do know I do not want to be in ER. Now wait, I will probably end in ER and love it.LOL.

Anyway, being that I am very close to being able to apply I will just go for the RN. I am praying that the economy will be a little better by the time I am finished. I have a co-worker that graduated this year, passed her boards and is still working here because she is unable to find a job. I will hope for the best, prepare for the worst by sticking with my job (which I have had for 22 years) at least part time during nursing school. That way I can keep my medical insurance and still be able to work while looking for an RN position. Thanks again everyone. I truly do appreciate it.:)

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