I finally started

I started class tuesday and I am excited. We are going to go on trips, Cadiver(sp?) lab, medical museum and other places I don't remember. I have been reading and studying and more ready and studying. It's it so exciting. I am going to try to keep up, which working 11-7 then going to school from 8-2 M-Thurs, I know it's going to be challenging but I am always up for a challenge. YEA, did any of you start yet. I am also happy I don't have to worry about finding externship, they do that for you, WHEW, happy about that. My only worry is that I will start out with less that what I am making now as a CNA, which is $15/hr. When I am done with school I will have a little over 4 years of hospital experience under my belt, hope that helps.

We saw the other class discet a pig, it was pretty cool, also we saw a film on autopsy, great, we have been practicing our gowning and gloving technique, pretty simple, ready to continue to go forward.

Michelle said: We saw the other class discet a pig, it was pretty cool, also we saw a film on autopsy, great, we have been practicing our gowning and gloving technique, pretty simple, ready to continue to go forward.

OH also I a 100% on my first quiz, test on monday on Ch 1 & 2 I should do well

Michelle said: OH also I a 100% on my first quiz, test on monday on Ch 1 & 2 I should do well

So how is it going? I have been reading a lot of quotes and some are good and some are really bad. Do you like it? Is school fun? I have been trying to decide where to go to school and what path to take. I am so excited about this field. I go to bed thinking about being a CST and wake up thinking the same thing everyday. I have told myself that I would research this and I have. I just can not get it out of my head. I want it.

I was a Surgical Technologist for more than 10 years. Think very carefully about your decision and where you would like to be in 10 years. I topped out in my field and realized that in order for me to be personally and professionally challenged, I was going to go back to school. I am currently in graduate school, very close to obtaining my MBA.

My peers and others that I worked with encouraged me to go for my RN or MD; however, I realized that my true desire was to get a degree that offered a plethora of opportunities rather than pigeon holing me into a specific career path.

Also, are you physically and mentally prepared to stand for hours, take verbal abuse from physicians when you've done nothing wrong - they are just having a bad day or have the biggest head in the world? Are you mentally prepared for the trauma and abuse victims you will be seeing?

I have seen just about everything in my career. Some brought tears to my eyes, others made me see red.

Finally, with any education/career goal, check out the job market in your area or areas that you are willing to relocate to. In my area, there are very few jobs for techs. In addition, different states have different certification/licensing requirements. If you do make the decision to become a tech I STRONGLY encourage joining the Association of Surgical Technologists as soon as you become a student and maintain that membership your entire career. I also STRONGLY recommend that you become certified through the Association. Some states and hospitals require it - some hospitals pay more per hour for certified techs. Then there are the ethics that you will be held to. They will teach you in school that there are no gray areas when it comes to what you can and cannot do...that is not necessarily true. There are and you have to decide what you WILL do based upon what you've learned, your facilities policies, and the direness of the situation.

Hope this helps.

Kerry,

Everyone's input (to me) is helpful regardless where you are from. I have been researching this field and other medical careers. Everyone is so full of info. that really helps people like that are not sure about where to go to school, how much to spend, or how much someone likes or dislikes this field. I would like to hear some more about people in Texas. I am trying to get a discussion started and I have yet to hear from Texas. I read a few comments from Tx but, I know there has to be more than what I have read.

Dianna R,

I am finishing up my last pre-req. for CST this summer (only 2 more weeks to go), Micro is killing me but I'm passing and at this point I'll take it!

I was accepted into the CST program at TVCC back in March. Originally, I was going to become an LVN or RN. Until one of my customers who was a surgeon talked to me about being a CST. I'm hoping that this will open the right doors to persue 1st Assist as he indicated.

Where are you trying to get in at?

Jeff in Lavon, Texas said: Dianna R,

I am finishing up my last pre-req. for CST this summer (only 2 more weeks to go), Micro is killing me but I'm passing and at this point I'll take it!

I was accepted into the CST program at TVCC back in March. Originally, I was going to become an LVN or RN. Until one of my customers who was a surgeon talked to me about being a CST. I'm hoping that this will open the right doors to persue 1st Assist as he indicated.

Where are you trying to get in at?

Jeff,

At this point, I am still researching what direction to go in. I am very interested in becoimg a Surgical Tech.
First Assist would be even better. But, for now I want to start slow and see what I can do at this point. I lost my job as an Operations manager for a trucking co. after 13 years. So I haven't been in school for a long time. I am also a mother of three sons. I have to make wise decisions when make a move like this. But,I dream of becoming a surg. tech everyday and night. So more than likely that's what I will do. Dianna

Dianna R,

I understand your position! I have been a professional angler & guide for the last 12 years. Since 9/11/01 I have watched my business take a turn for the worst. I still am capable of making a good living, but with the economy like it is I'm glad I went back to school 3 years ago. At 41 I'm a little nervous of getting into a position with a dead-end.

So far, it has been my understanding since I went to orientation last month that it will take about a year and half before I can challenge to become a 1st Assist. Even then I'll need a Dr. to help me achieve that goal.

Going back to school has been a tremendous undertaking! I was able to keep a 3.0 GPA until this last semester. Now, that I've been accepted into the CST program my goal is to make good enough grades to get it back over a 3.0 before graduation next May.

Where are you thinking of going to school for CST?

I lost my job in April so I have not been researching too long. I am feeling that this is the best move I can make. (To go back to school) I just got to figure out where to start. I was in the workforce for 13 yrs so I have to get back on track. You sound like you have it together. I wish I was at that point. I feel like some what of a failure due to the fact that the company that I worked for was owned by my grandmother. She fired me....Now I have to prove to myself that I can do something on my own. Does that sound crazy???? Well, even if it does, I will prove to the world that I am someone through caring for others. I feel any medical career helps others. I feel complete when I have purpose. I did not feel worth too much for 13 yrs, even though when she fired me I was making $15.00 an hour. Good pay but I started @$6.00. New start for me. Nothing to do but move forward and better myself inside and out.

I finished my first module with an A average, my final test for the first mod was a 96% Now were working on A & P and boy oh boy looks challenging but I am up for it. Since I already work in a hospital I have a great chance of getting my externship there and also my first job. That would be great.

Michelle,

Are you attending a tech school or college? The reason I'm asking is because I'm not familiar with the term "module."

technical school

Yeah me too, just started Monday, Today we had our first Lab, we got to scrub in, it was so fun, we also got to check out all of the instruments it sure is confusing, Does anyone have any good ideas on how to learn the instruments and there names?

Bruce EMT in Rocklin, California said: Yeah me too, just started Monday, Today we had our first Lab, we got to scrub in, it was so fun, we also got to check out all of the instruments it sure is confusing, Does anyone have any good ideas on how to learn the instruments and there names?

Please excuse my spelling, but a few examples:
MOSQUITO, SNAP, HEMOSTAT- small clamp, looks like a little mosquito
Kocher- looks like the jaw of a crockadile
Kelly- Think of a girl kelly you know
Alice clamp- a girl alice
STRAIGHT OR CURVED MAYO SCISSOR- heavier scissor
Metz SCISSOR- delicate scissor for delicate tissue
etc, etc. If you can learn all the basic instruments like that, then when you come to the speciality instruments you just have to learn them and apply the same thing.
well thats how I did it. And there is so many instruments, I find it easier to learn what they are also, when you actually see what they are being used for.
It take time