10 year scrub tech turned RN... pay?

Specialties Operating Room

Published

Hi all, 

I'm graduating in December and I currently work as a surgical technologist. My goal is to stay in the operating room and transition into the circulator role. Since I have 10 years of scrubbing and OR experience under my belt, what is a fair starting hourly rate? For reference, I am in the New York- Long Island area. 

Thanks for the feedback.

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

I know that in my facility (definitely not near NYC pay levels), that the ST maxes out very close to where the RN starts. HR has a formula that they use when converting staff from one role to another to give credit for years of experience in their other role, but quite honestly no idea what it is.

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Specializes in ICU, Trauma, CCT,Emergency, Flight, OR Nursing.

It really depends on where you plan to work once graduating as a RN . In NY and in California, new RNs are starting in the mid to high $80's/hr (excluding differentials etc) . I know that you would be snapped up in most OR's having been an experienced scrub and I'm sure you would be able to scrub and circulate in a new job. Best of luck!

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I started as an OR circulator coming from more than 20 years as a rad tech and at the community hospital (socal) where I started my hourly rate was very low but I looked at it as paid internship to learn the role as an OR circulating nurse. It really depends on where you are and the needs in the area.

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