Surgical Tech or RN?

Editorial Team / Admin · Sep 27, 2016

One thing to keep in mind about STs is that they are limited in where they can work- procedural areas. Before making a commitment to the path, have you looked at job postings? Considering the limitation of where they can work, that also means a limitation on how many will be employed in a facility, especially compared to nursing.

As for whether it's a good idea, that depends on what you want in life. I work with many STs who are quite happy where they are. I have also worked with many STs who weren't happy with the pay rate compared to nursing and thus went on to complete nursing school.

flipflop763 · Sep 27, 2016

I have never been a ST, but I have worked in the OR. Scrub techs do make less than nurses and are more limited to the OR, but many scrub techs that I have encountered seem to enjoy their jobs. If you have an interest in becoming an OR RN, then being a scrub tech would be a great background.

Devon Rex, ADN, BSN · Oct 4, 2016

I agree with both postings prior to mine. :)

JVerne07 · Oct 4, 2016

Re: your program - where is the deficit in points coming from? My program is points based as well, and they were allotted for having taken prerequisites and specific bio courses, GPA, entrance exam score, and prior medical experience.

If you really think you'd like it, I know surgical techs who love their jobs. It's a good option. Having experience is always useful, I didn't have any going in and the curve was steep for that reason. Truthfully, my classmates who were CNA or EMT trained prior to school seem to transition the best.

brownbook · Oct 5, 2016

I am not sure how it would work if you get into a surgical tech program then get accepted into nursing school? Would the hours or demands of both courses at the same time be overwhelming? Would you forfeit money you paid to the surgical tech program if you dropped out to enter nursing school?

If you think, know, you really want to work in OR then being a surgical tech is a great idea. You can go for your RN afterwards.

If you just want to do "something" while trying to get into nursing school but aren't especially interested in OR nursing....well..I know personally of others in your position. I am sure it is not uncommon.

A co-worker, CNA, kept trying to get into a BSN program, (she had straight A's). She ran into so many roadblocks. She just kept on trucking. Took on-line classes, kept applying, applied at various schools, (NOT any of the for profit schools, don't go there!). It took longer than she'd expected but now has her BSN.

It might be better if OR is not your dream nursing job to become a CNA or MA?

kristinc312, RN · Oct 9, 2016

I went to school to become a surgical tech, without initially planning to become a nurse. I absolutely loved working in the OR, and after a few years, I went back to school and became an RN. The benefit to this was I had a guaranteed position in the OR as a new grad RN. This was important to me, as I absolutely hate med-surg and other areas of bedside nursing. The OR is not an easy area to get into as a new grad. Some downfalls to this route are that I never got the med-surge experience such as managing multiple patients, IVs, patient assessment, passing meds, etc. I think this is a liability when trying to leave the OR in the future; it's hard to explain having been a nurse for X number of years, but unable to start an IV, or know how to complete a med pass. As someone else mentioned, you also need to consider the availability of OR jobs in your area. Many of the people I graduated from tech school with had a hard time finding a job. In a rural area, it may be near impossible without having to commute to a larger city. Finally, you need to evaluate your personality, to determine if you'd do well in OR. It can be an unfriendly environment to newcomers. Very many strong personalities, nurses set in their ways, and many surgeons out there who can be abusive towards staff. It's a decision that only you can make, but I figured I'd offer my thoughts, having taken the route you are now considering. Good luck!

alexisbj · Oct 18, 2016

Rose_Queen, I have looked at job postings for the area in which I plan to live upon graduation. Every so often an opening will pop up. I live in a very small town and many people already commute to other cities to work, so I definitely plan on keeping my options open to the surrounding areas! I would like to be a surgical tech first, and then continue to get my RN if I decide I want better options in the medical field. I am interested in working in the OR, however, with nursing I would be able to move around as opposed to being confined to the OR as a surgical tech. Thank you for your honest and detailed response!

alexisbj · Oct 18, 2016

JVerne07, I believe it has come from having only a 20 on the ACT (which is embarrassing, because I am way smarter than that!) My points are based on everything you said, minus an entrance exam and prior medical experience and we use the ACT score as well. Since the score is so low, it is taking away a lot of points. Other students who have higher ACT scores have a bit of wiggle room when it comes to GPA, whereas I do not. I am hoping for an entry soon, though, because you can take extra courses to boost your points which I have done. I do believe I would like to work as an ST, but I really am hoping to get in to nursing. Thank you for your comment!

alexisbj · Oct 18, 2016

brownbook, sorry for the confusion in my post. I mean that I would complete the surgical tech program and then go on to nursing after that. Thank you for telling me about your friend. It makes me feel like there are other people out there like myself who are running into roadblocks left and right. It is so frustrating to try so hard and continue to get left behind. I will not give up!! Yes, I am looking for "something" to do while waiting to get into nursing but I would complete that program before starting nursing school because I definitely could not do two programs at once! Hopefully I will be able to get going soon. Thank you for your comment! I hope to one day too have a BSN.

alexisbj · Oct 18, 2016

kristenc312, Thank you SO much for your comment! It is so helpful to hear from someone who has actually done what I am trying to do. I do believe the OR would be a good fit for me, however, you're correct, it is a very unfriendly environment and I need to remember that. I am already expecting to make some sort of a commute, so this is not a big issue for me. I just hope the big cities are looking for surgical techs too!! I am having such a hard time deciding what to do. I want to get in to a program and feel like I can finally start my life, but I guess the acceptance letters will be the judges of that.