Thinking About Surgical Technology

Hi, I'm new to this forum. I've been thinking about going to school at the Baptist School of Health Professions for surgical technologist. After taking pre-reqs for R.N., I am disappointed that due to financial reasons it turns out I may not be able to quit my full-time job to attend 2 years of nursing school. I was looking at other options and found surgical technologist to be a good option, since I could probably get away with not working for a just 1 year. I also thought about L.V.N., but I don't know if I would be able to go back to school for R.N. I'm married with two children, have a mortgage and bills...it is extremely difficult to be able to quit my job and go to school for 2 years. 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. Not sure what I should do! I am aware that surgical techs don't make as much as R.N.s do. Any suggestions??? What is it like being a surgical technologist? What are the pros and cons? Oh yeah, I saw one post on here inquiring about height...I'm also short...5'0"...is that a problem?

There's no problem with your height, it's just a bother because you'll need a step stool for whatever case you do and that involves asking the RN to get it for you since you're sterile and scrubbed in and if that nurse is busy and cranky, you'll have some problems. I've been a tech for 20 years and if I had to do it all over again I would definitely take up LVN. If you graduate from LVN, you would just have to work 6 months and then you will qualify to take online classes to become RN ( i believe it's just an extra 30 hours)? Being a surgical tech is labor intensive, on your feet for long periods of time, lifting trays, moving patients, O.R furniture, etc. You also have to deal with very STRONG personalities whether it's the RN, surgeon, your fellow ST's... it's definitely a challenge. Being an LVN or RN there are so many different things that you can do besides O.R . Please do the LVN/RN route, it takes longer but the rewards are so much more!

I am considering a career in surgical technology, but I am unsure. My dream job as a police officer went down the tubes when I did not complete the fto program. It turns out that I really did not like the job once I actually was in the job. I also did not like the three shifts that you had to work, but the money was very good. So now I was thinking about the ST career. Reading some of the comments, I'm hesitant. I learn best when someone is not yelling at me, which happened to me as a police officer. Also, I'm in a 2 yr college now for general studies. While I am doing well, I don't know if I could manage to memorize all the medical terminology. Any advice is appreciated. Also, what is a typical working schedule of a ST in a hospital? Is there a lot of 2nd and 3rd shifts to work? Thanks

Hi, I am thinking about becoming a Surgical Technologist. I am wondering what is the average starting salary? Also most surgeries are scheduled so is it typical to get a regular 40 hr week job? Any info anyone can give would be great. Thanks

Lisa

scrub420years in Marysville, California said: There's no problem with your height, it's just a bother because you'll need a step stool for whatever case you do and that involves asking the RN to get it for you since you're sterile and scrubbed in and if that nurse is busy and cranky, you'll have some problems. I've been a tech for 20 years and if I had to do it all over again I would definitely take up LVN. If you graduate from LVN, you would just have to work 6 months and then you will qualify to take online classes to become RN ( i believe it's just an extra 30 hours)? Being a surgical tech is labor intensive, on your feet for long periods of time, lifting trays, moving patients, O.R furniture, etc. You also have to deal with very STRONG personalities whether it's the RN, surgeon, your fellow ST's... it's definitely a challenge. Being an LVN or RN there are so many different things that you can do besides O.R . Please do the LVN/RN route, it takes longer but the rewards are so much more!

Hi, I have thought about being a Surgical Tech, RN and now I'm thinking of being a Physician Assistant. So I was just wondering... what does a Physician Assistant do in the OR?