Thinking About Surgical Technologist

Nurses General Nursing

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After completing pre-reqs for R.N., I was disappointed to find out (due to financial reasons) that more-than-likely I will not be able to quit my full-time job to attend 2 years of school. I'm married with two children, have a mortgage and bills, there probably won't be a chance for me after my hubby graduates in Dec. I was thinking about other options, and was reading up on surgical technologist. The school I was planning to attend for R.N. also offers a surgical technologist program, and it is completed in 1 year. I may be able to get away with going to school for just 1 year as opposed to 2. Then I thought about L.V.N., but that was not what I wanted, since I don't think I would be able to get into the L.V.N.-R.N. program later on (for the same reason, not being able to quit to go to school full-time). It is just extremely difficult to be able to accomplish my goals since I have a family and bills, and I don't want to work while in school because I want school to be my main focus and I also have a family to take care of with very little support. Does anyone work with surgical techs? What is it like? I would like to find out more info on surgical techs and what the pros and cons might be, before I make my final decision. I appreciate any advice!!:wink2:

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First I would say if you want to be a nurse you should go for it. I am a single mom of three and have made it! Of course your husband would have to be supportive!

If you are thinking of going to school for something else you should ask a local hospital if you can shadow that position for a day or more. That will give you a good idea of what a surg tech does on a daily basis.

My friend has been a surg tech for many years and while she loves it, it is stressful, you are on your feet in one place for hours, and if you get sick of doing the same thing over and over there are not many places to go for a change. As a nurse you have so many options on where to work, if you do not like what you are doing you can go into another area of nursing.

If you go to LVN school you at least have the option of going back to get your RN, if you become a surg tech you have to start from the beginning if you decide to go back to school (this is what my friend is considering).

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Don't get me wrong, I think Surg Techs have the coolest job in the OR however I also think they are seriously underpaid and very limited in job options compared to nurses.

I'd take a second look at the LPN program because it is a year long also, the pay is usually similar to surg techs and yet you have the option to do the LPN to RN bridge. My bridge program was virtually painless 3 days a week for 2 semesters after a short summer bridge class. FWIW I worked all through LPN and RN school so having to quit work might not be necessary. Good luck with whatever you decide.

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Specializes in Peri-op/Sub-Acute ANP.

If you are interested in finding out more about being a surg tech then the following site has all the information you will need: http://www.ast.org

Of course, you gotta do what you gotta do, so if you just can't take two years off this might be a good alternative to get your foot in the door. Once you work for a hospital (say as a surg tech, or x-ray tech), they are often willing to give you some financial support to continue your education and possibly go on to do nursing in the future. Many people find this the only way they can achieve their goals. OK, it takes a little longer, but you will get there in the end. The hospital will expect you to continue to work for them, but they are generally supportive of flexible schedules required to get through NS while holding a job.

If you can't get directly to where you want to go, there is nothing wrong with taking a side road! Good luck.

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Thank you guys for all the advice! Gosh, even at this point I'm still not sure. To me, surgical tech sounded so appealing, just as appealing as nursing. It sounds like something more for me, but at the same time I still want to try nursing. Like one post said, with nursing you have more options. I'm actually thinking about trying the L.V.N. program. Maybe a few more replies will come in, and I can get an even better idea of what to do. Thanks a bunch! :bow:

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Do the LPN program.

As an LPN you can work in the OR, but as a surgical tech you cannot work in any other area.

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Specializes in LTC, Assisted Living, Surgical Clinic.

:yeahthat:......and as an LPN, you can walk your happy butt out of the OR if it's not your thing, and work elsewhere.

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Tons of diff. programs out there, check out medical technology (lab) - requires more schooling but with a more flexible schedule.

There's physical ther. ass., resp. ther. ass., ocupat. ther. ass., etc etc etc tons of choices.

Nursing is pretty good - school's tough though and usually ultra-competitive but don't let that deter you - you can do whatever you want if you want it :D

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Specializes in CDI Supervisor; Formerly NICU.

Plus, if you become an LVN...there's no law that says you have to do the LVN-RN Bridge the next week. You can work as an LVN until you can accommodate the extra year of school to become an RN. And, you'll have the experience in nursing that you'll have gained by working as an LVN.

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If you really want nursing I say go for it! Plenty of people work & attend ADN programs! I too thought the time was not right for RN program & ended up with MLT degree. I am now going back for my RN 10 yrs later! Wish I would have originally went with RN!

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Specializes in CDI Supervisor; Formerly NICU.

Mutton, lettuce and tomato sandwich? :)

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Specializes in Post Anesthesia.

My experience was just the opposite of yours. I finished my pre-reqs for an AD in surgical assisting and wasn't able to secure a position in the clinical part of the program. I wasted 3 semesters reapplying. I found out later that my student advisor was grossly uninformed about the possibility of getting into the Surg Asst. program. They got over 150 applications a semester and only accepted 20 students. All that for a degree that has little job security, mediocre pay, and little opporunity for advancement. When I reviewed my options the only degree that accepted most of my pre reqs for Surgical Asst. was nursing. So, here I am 22 years later. I believe it was God's will at the time that I was blocked out of clinicals for the S.A. program (wasn't happy about it them). Nursing has been so much more rewarding, both personaly and financially, I can't imaging how my life would have turned out if I didn't get "forced" into nursing. Please review your options. God was kind enough to get me laid off from my full time job in my senior year (I didn't see it as a blessing then) allowing me to draw some unemployment benifits while I finished school. I don't want to turn this into a "let go and let God" thread but I do believe where there is a will there is a way and doors will open for those that are willing to walk through them.

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