The truth about the transition form OR Tech to OR Nurse

Published

I want to be an OR Nurse. I was told that I could go to school to be an Surg Tech first and then transition to an OR Nurse. Would I be better off becoming an LPN first? I want to get the best education that I can, but I would like to accomplish this goal in the shortest period of time.

Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

I went the LPN route, because i knew that some of my classes would transfer to an RN program in the future, and i couldn't afford the cost of the RN program at the time. By going the LPN route, i was able to become a nurse, get a job i love, avoid having to retake some classes in an RN program, and paying less for some classes that were required for LPN or RN.

Time-wise. Yeah it took longer, but i had to work full time, there wasn't a choice in that. Financially, and i did the math, it's actually been cheaper for me to have taken the path that i have.

But it's what's worked for me, though.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

For 13 years I was an OR Tech and finally I got up the nerve to work during the day and take classes at night to get my RN. And for me that was the best thing to do. There are many ways to get to the OR; you need to found out what way works best for you. The greatest OR Nurses were once great OR Techs.

RNnProud:balloons:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Operating Room.

Personally, I'd go the nursing route. It depends where you are though. In my case, I paid $24,000 for my surg tech degree and paid $6,000 for my RN. $24, 000 for a job where a tech made about 10-11 dollars an hour to start.(this was about 6 years ago). Some hospitals will teach the RN's to scrub and in my hospital, the RN's scrub frequently. I'm not trying to burst your bubble, but it can often be very difficult for a CST to find a job outside of the OR. For instance, in my area, CST's aren't recognized as first assists, even if they've taken the extra course work. Many of the drug/equipment companies want RNs for salespeople. Also, what happens when you get older, or you get sick, and can't hack the physical demands of the OR? Lots more options as a nurse. I was a tech for 5 years and loved my job. What I didn't love was the lousy pay, and lack of options. Good luck whatever you decide.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

When I graduated from Tech schoool tuition, was only $6000. And for Nursing School I paid $18000, which is being paid back by the hospital that I work for. I live in Philadelphia and techs make from $15.00-24.00 an hour. In some states you don't need a degree to be a Tech, programs are usually less than one year; it may be easier to start your career that way first. And make some money while you are in Nursing School. So I guess it depends on where you live. Some techs can only work in the OR, because they are limit on what they do, but that is the same for nurses who have limited there area of interest to the OR, and don't try other specialties. Nursing is a wonderful field, but don't only limit yourself to the OR. Figure out what works best for you, good luck.:balloons:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Plus, if you wind up at a community college, look at the course requirements for the ADN, and the AAS for surg. techs. At the school that I went to, nurses and techs both took the same A&P, pharm, & bio. Both get a 2 year degree. So if you were really feeling the calling to be a CST, you could - and if you wanted to go back later to get your nursing degree, you would be looking at less than 1 more year of school. In my area, nurses rarely scrub and the ones that do have been there for years.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in O.R., ED, M/S.

Where I work we have an ALL RN staff. No Techs! When there have been openings in the past she would talk to you because she has too, but wouldn't hire a Tech because of their limited use. We all scrub and also circ, which a Tech can't. I work at a 359 bed facility, so it isn't a small hospital with a small staff. I do work elsewhere PT that uses Techs and they are needed commodity there. The RNs rarely are trained to scrub and are usually hired to circ only. I am lucky that I have been scrubbing for over 30 years and can scrub everything except hearts. Having your RN license opens up dozens and dozens of possiblities but being a Tech really does limit your potential IMHO.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

it is a big decision on your part that doesn’t need to be taken lightly. surgical technology is not a “stepping stone into nursing”. it is its own allied health care profession. if you do an associate degree in surgical technology, most your prerequisites will transfer into the traditional nursing program. the main difference between the associate st and the asn/adn are the core classes. st focuses on surgery only and general nursing focuses on patient care (floor duties). there is a growing trend to use certified surgical technologists. to become one you need to graduate a caahep accredited program to be eligible to sit for the national board of surgical technology and surgical assisting (nbstsa) www.nbstsa.org . you can find a caahep accredited program at www.caahep.org . if you do a certificate or diploma in st, it will be like starting over again when you pursue a higher education. you can go to www.ast.org/forum and register and see what they talk about and see if it is for you.

some places do not hire techs because of their limited use but, this is not the norm any more, the majority of places hire csts for financial reasons. they use the csts because of the education and less pay, sorry but true. most (not all) places are starting to use csts because they are cheaper. rns scrubbing are slowly becoming a thing of the past. ask people on the board. most will tell you of how they are becoming limited on how much they get to scrub because of techs but, techs are limited on what they can do.

if it is nursing (rn) you are really pursuing, you can use the lpn/lvn as a “stepping stone” to get there. there are many programs that have a transition program from lpn/lvn to rn that doesn’t take as long as the traditional program because you have already been trained to be a nurse, just not an rn. those programs usually take about 4 semesters. that type of program does not exist for surgical technology yet, however if you did an associate degree in surgical technology and your classes will transfer; you only need the core classes for nursing which would be about the same (provided the credits transfer).

if you really want to be an rn the best route is to pursue it immediately. go for asn/adn or bsn immediately. you will be happier in the long run. don’t look for stepping stones. just do it.

you say you are currently a pharm tech. if you are a pharm tech working for a hospital, they usually have grants, funds, etc… to help you go to the traditional asn or bsn programs or transitional programs. you should check with hr. if you don’t work for a hospital, sorry.

btw sunnyjohn, i am a man. lol but thanks for the compliment.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

BTW Sunnyjohn, I am a man. LOL But thanks for the compliment.

LOL!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
it is a big decision on your part that doesn't need to be taken lightly. surgical technology is not a "stepping stone into nursing". it is its own allied health care profession. if you do an associate degree in surgical technology, most your prerequisites will transfer into the traditional nursing program. the main difference between the associate st and the asn/adn are the core classes. st focuses on surgery only and general nursing focuses on patient care (floor duties). there is a growing trend to use certified surgical technologists. to become one you need to graduate a caahep accredited program to be eligible to sit for the national board of surgical technology and surgical assisting (nbstsa) www.nbstsa.org . you can find a caahep accredited program at www.caahep.org . if you do a certificate or diploma in st, it will be like starting over again when you pursue a higher education.

some places do not hire techs because of their limited use but, this is not the norm any more, the majority of places hire csts for financial reasons. most (not all) places are starting to use csts because they are cheaper. rns scrubbing are slowly becoming a thing of the past. ask people on the board. most will tell you of how they are becoming limited on how much they get to scrub because of techs but, techs are limited on what they can do.

if it is nursing (rn) you are really pursuing, you can use the lpn/lvn as a "stepping stone" to get there. there are many programs that have a transition program from lpn/lvn to rn that doesn't take as long as the traditional program because you have already been trained to be a nurse, just not an rn. those programs usually take about 4 semesters. that type of program does not exist for surgical technology yet, however if you did an associate degree, you only need the core classes for nursing which would be about the same (provided the credits transfer).

if you really want to be an rn the best route is to pursue it immediately. go for asn/adn or bsn immediately. you will be happier in the long run. don't look for stepping stones. just do it.

you say you are currently a pharm tech. if you are a pharm tech working for a hospital, they usually have grants, funds, etc... to help you go to the traditional asn or bsn programs. you should check with hr. if you don't work for a hospital, sorry.

btw sunnyjohn, i am a man. lol but thanks for the compliment.

ewattsjt, i just wanted to say that was an excellent post!

my education route; cst[assoc degree], adn, then rn-bsn. i worked three years as a cst, and been an rn since '98. did 4 yrs has an rn in the or, as well as tele & icu. presently, work in critical care as an active duty army nurse. the only part of the or i liked was scrubbing, otherwise the circulator role was not for me. much happier now working in icu, again.

i originally did cst first because it was quicker getting in the program. however, while taking my prereqs for st i took the additional prereqs for required for most rn programs. imho, the best or rns' were once sts'.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

laugh all you want marie, i still love you. btw marie is a great resource as well. in fact there are many who are.

if you work at a facility that is "tech friendly" and want to work at the field, there is a way around it. it is a long process however.

first you must become cnor which requires two years experience in the or and an exam. i know of great nurses that i would could let operate on me that have failed the exam. it is simply a standard. then depending on if you are a asn/adn or bsn depends on what title you will seek. you must go through a course of first assisting and pass it which will take about another year. asn/adns can only get the registered nurse first assistant (rnfa) title and bsns can earn the title of certified registered nurse first assistant (crnfa), to become crnfa, you must also prove something like 2000 hours of fa which will take about another year depending on where you work. with these titles you will consider greater assets at the field and more often you will have many more doors open to you. btw these certifications are not offered by the aorn but are recognized by them.

the body that controls the registration of cnor, rnfa and crnfa is the cci- institute http://www.cc-institute.org/cert_crnf_prep_rnfa.aspx

i wish you and anyone else that this post helps help in their endeavors.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

btw sunnyjohn, i am a man. lol but thanks for the compliment.

oh dear! i'm sorry! ...not sorry you're a man, sorry i inferred you were a female! :lol2:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hey I love this site and I'm new to it!

I myself am a CPhT and work in mail order, I love it. I completed a pharmacy tech program (which was way too much money), at that time I didn't know all you had to do was take the exam!:banghead:

Anyways, I get paid a little under what the average pay for a RN is but I still intend on getting a BSN with RN. -Currently taking pre-reqs.

I have a friend who is a surgical tech and the pay rate is about the same as a CPhT. I would consider doing research on both. If you're looking for a good paying job to have while going to nursing school maybe try CPhT. Good luck :D

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion