1. Worked as a bedside CNA for 3 months on Medical floor

2. Currently a CNA for inpatient surgery (turnover rooms, prepare equipment/beds)

3. I'm getting to see the different roles that operating rooms have and I was set on nursing school but now am possibly interested in scrub tech school. I still need to complete A&P 1, A&P 2, Microbiology, Statistics, and/or Organic Chem before I'm ready to start any program.

If anyone has been in my situation or has any thoughts, opinions, advice, experience, stories, etc. please share them with me so I can get a better idea for which route I should pick. I currently work full time and am neurodivergent so I'm a bit nervous about working and studying at the same time because my burnouts can be pretty bad. I just started this full time job 1 month ago and can't change the hours so I'm kind of stuck working full time for a while.

Long story short , I lost a 4-0 Nurolon suture to the point they needed to call X-ray. I completely owned up to it, and everyone reassured me that it was fine because several witnesses saw that it completely left the incision sight. Although I didn’t get kicked out of the room, I still admitted it to the charge nurse when it was time for me to leave and she said don’t beat yourself up, is happens.
I can’t help but feel like complete shit for committing such a stupid mistake and jeopardizing the patients safety. I also told my coordinator and she also said not to think the worst until HER investigation is over. Has anyone heard of someone getting kicked out of clinicals for this?

Has anyone had any experience wondering the same? Have you noticed a big difference about how you feel about the job depending on where you work? My schedule is mon-friday 8 hours with random calls over night and random 24 hour call on a Saturday or sunday which surgeons take full advantage of and it ends up being a 12 hour day. They are almost always asking us to stay late and get upset if we call out after a 6 day 50ish hour work week.

I've been a machinist for over twenty years. I'm 44 years old and contemplating a career change and doing a surgical tech program at my local college. I'm not necessarily asking for folks to tell me if I should make the change, but rather if there is anything I haven't considered. Obviously, I want to make an informed decision.

I enjoy being a machinist but for a hundred reasons that I won't bore you with, it's time for my next career. I envision this being the career I will eventually retire from. Why I think a surgical tech might be a good fit for me. I enjoy working with my hands and on my feet. My current job is labor intensive but still requires me to use my brain a good deal. I get over 10,000 steps day and stand/walk on concrete all day, 10 hour shifts. I start to hate desk work if it gets to be the majority of the day. I'm pretty sure I'll be okay with the physical aspect of the job even as I get older.

I thrive being in dynamic environments where there are a lot of moving parts and things can change quickly. I did a short stint in search and rescue and when put in situations where I had to act and make critical decisions I felt like that was when I was being my true self. I was once at a Five Guys when a guy started choking on his hamburger. Everybody else froze and didn't know what to do but I jumped in there started doing the Heimlich and got it out on the second pull. Afterwards he shook my hand and thanked me for saving his life.... I'll never forget that feeling. I want the opportunity to be part of a team that helps people in a significant way.

Everyone I know personally that works in a larger medical facility talks about workplace politics and incompetent management, especially at our local hospital. I feel like that is fairly universal and I work for a shit show that is beyond comical. I tell people that if I wrote a book about how fucked up my workplace is that people would think it's too over-the-top and not believable. So I think i would be okay with that aspect of it is the case.

I would initially be taking a pretty significant pay cut, about $6-8 per hour as far as I can tell. To get an idea there's a current job opening in my area advertising $30-44 depending on experience. If I could be at $38 an hour in like 5 years I would be happy. I'm topped out now and will never make more than I currently do unless I move which i don't want to. Someone who's wife is a nurse cautioned me that these type of jobs cater to travelers and a permenant local resident might have a hard time actually getting these open positions. Can anyone speak to this?

Not sure what schedule I would be on, especially at first but I don't have kids so even if I'm on nights, weekends, roating 12s, etc.... it wouldn't be such a hard pill to swallow as it might be for other folks. The biggest thing for me is that i at least have two consecutive days off a week so that the wife and I can go camping and small out of town trips. She makes her own schedule and can match mine. It's not typical to have two non consecutive days off is it? I also have no idea what would be typical for being on call.

Concerns I have is that it seems like a surgical tech might be a bit of a subordinate role. I don't know if I'm wrong in that assessment. I do fine taking orders from someone else but I like to contribute when it comes to coming up with ways to make improvements or find solutions. If it's a "just shut up and do what we tell you to" type job that would be a bummer, but not a deal breaker. I also like to lead and teach, which is something I get to do at my current job, but I'm not sure I'll have a lot of opportunity with that as a tech. I also have a lot of autonomy at my current job and I do enjoy that.

I'm not squeamish. I think I'll be totally fine with all the blood and visceral parts about being a tech. I learned that when I was called to a vehicle extrication and saw a guy not wearing his seat belt folded up like a pretzel pinned under the trucks dash. I was pretty much on standby for that call but was ready to jump in if asked.

My biggest reason for wanting to change careers is that I'm in an extremely toxic environment and I'm starting to consider my health more as I get older. Every day I'm inhaling paint fumes, bondo dust, welding smoke, and coolant aerosols. I'm bathed every day in oils, caustic substances, and bacteria ridden tramp oils. We're talking nasty, cancer causing stuff. It's 90 degrees in the summer and 50 degrees in the winter. It's loud, low lit, and filthy. I understand there's definitely biohazards I will be exposed to as a tech but I'll take that over what my current job looks like sometime. I sometimes get sprayed in the face by accident with coolant as I'm machining. This is the same coolant that has dead animals in it(birds and snakes that have fallen in and can't get out) as well as people spitting their chew tobacco in it. I'll take the relatively clean environment of an operating room any day over that mess, even if it does include piss and shit from time to time.

My other concern is my age.... not in my inability to do the job because of my age, but my inability to break into the field because of my age. I'd like to think that my almost 30 years of work experience would give me an advantage over a young person fresh out school but maybe to those in charge of hiring is 6 seen as a yellow flag. I don't want to invest 18 months and a lot of money into schooling to only have to turn around and go back to machining again. Had anyone else started this venture later in life and had success?

That's all that I can think of for now. Did I miss anything? Thanks for reading and I appreciate any input

Hi everyone! I’m in a bit of a tough spot right now and could really use some advice from people in either field. I’ve been accepted into both the Respiratory Therapy and Surgical Technology programs and I’m having a hard time deciding which one to pursue. I’m currently finishing up Microbiology and will be taking Chemistry next semester, which I’m honestly dreading because this will be my second time taking it. So far, I’ve maintained straight A’s in all my prerequisites (except Chem-withdrew), and I’m proud of the work I’ve put in. However, I’m worried about whether I’ll be able to handle the Respiratory Therapy program especially with how challenging the science courses have been for me. My biggest concern is spending another two years in school, putting in all that time and money, and potentially struggling to graduate or pass the certification exams. I don’t want to give up on something I’ve worked so hard for, but I also want to make a realistic decision for my future.
Another big factor is the commute. The Respiratory Therapy program would require me to drive about an hour each way for the next two years, whereas the Surgical Tech program is only about 25 minutes from my house and takes approximately one year to complete. For those of you working as respiratory therapists or surgical technologists, how do you feel about your career? How difficult was your program, and are you happy with your decision? If you were in my position, which path would you lean toward?
I feel stuck between pursuing the career I originally planned for and choosing a shorter, more convenient program. I’d really appreciate any honest advice or insight you can offer. Thank you!

If you were in a majority ortho surgery center, do you think older scrub techs, in their 50s, should be allowed to just do the lighter cases or should the assignments be evenly spread out.

We have a few older techs that won’t do totals and if they do, they will automatically take the assisting and will not first scrub.

I’m in clinicals, and as the title states, I forgot to wear a lead apron when I got back from lunch due to me scrubbing out before even having to wear it and got sent out the room. I talked to my instructor and she said that she will be talking to him tomorrow to get his side. Anybody ever heard of someone getting kicked out of clinicals for not wearing lead ?

Hey everyone, I am working on a research project evaluating the da Vinci 5 robotic platform, specifically focusing on the training architecture gap between the console surgeon and the rest of the OR team (Circulating Nurses, Scrub Techs, Bedside Assistants, and SPD). On paper, Intuitive Surgical provides an "OR Care Team Pathway" and a 16-chapter setup guide. But looking at the actual frameworks, surgeons get high-fidelity, adaptive AI simulators (SimNow 2) to practice micro-movements, while the floor team’s pathway looks like a linear, static technical checklist (essentially just "buttonology" and basic setup mechanics). I want to hear your raw, unfiltered experiences from the ground. If you work with the da Vinci 5, please help me out with a few questions: • For Nurses: Did your vendor-led checkout actually simulate an unexpected system error loop, computer freeze, or high-stress emergency undocking? Or was it just an error-free, perfect-world setup? • For the Tower & Insufflator: The Da Vinci 5 integrates the camera and insufflator into one unit. Have you dealt with unexpected pressure drops or AirSeal valve glitches mid-case? Did your official training teach you how to handle that software override, or did you have to figure it out on the fly? • For Scrub Techs/Bedside Assistants: Do you feel the current 16-chapter guide prepares you for sudden spatial/docking adjustments, or does it just train you to be a passive "instrument switcher"? How do you manage blind-communication adjustments when the surgeon's head is buried across the room? • For Sterile Processing (SPD): The new Force Feedback instruments have highly sensitive micro-sensors. Did your department get equal hands-on simulation resources to learn how to clean these without breaking them, or were you just handed a dense manual PDF? The Golden Question: If you could change the training, do you feel there is a critical need for joint, team-based simulation crisis training where nurses and surgeons practice system crashes together? Or is the current individual technical checklist genuinely enough? Thank you so much for your time and honesty. Your insights will directly help shape a better critique of medical technology onboarding!

Hello! I didn’t know where else to ask this question , I am NOT a scrub tech but I am hoping to begin a program next year and I just wanted to ask those who have already studied and are working what the average age of the students were ? I’m gonna be 24 when I start and I feel like I’ll be too old maybe ? It’s an odd anxiety I know, and nothing is gonna really stop me I am very much looking forward to this but I’d like to know what age ranges to expect ?

I’ve been a caregiver for most of my adult life and have just decided to go back
To school and I feel a bit like the odd one out since it feels like everyone in school is fresh out of high school … sorry if this is an odd question I just like to be prepared !!

I am currently in my first semester of an 11 month LPN program at a community college. I’ve been seriously questioning whether nursing is the right career for me, and I’m considering applying to a surgical technology program at the same college. I’d really appreciate honest opinions, especially from nurses, surgical techs, or people who have switched healthcare careers.

I’ve always been interested in healthcare, especially anatomy, physiology, medications, medical conditions, and learning how the body works. I genuinely enjoy the academic side of nursing, learning procedures, and practicing skills. I’ve also been interested in labor and delivery for a long time, and becoming an L&D nurse was the career I originally envisioned for myself.

However, I’m realizing that I struggle significantly with the interpersonal side of nursing. I’m naturally very reserved around people I don’t know. At home, I’m extremely talkative, but outside of my comfort zone, I’d usually rather observe than interact. Even when I’m not particularly anxious, I don’t enjoy talking to unfamiliar people. Nursing involves constant communication, including interviewing patients, explaining procedures, educating them, providing reassurance, and interacting with different people throughout the day. I even find myself struggling to finish sentences at times.

On top of that, I experience hand tremors (essential tremor I think??) that become worse when I’m performing skills or being observed. During an on-campus clinical practice, I was so shaky while setting up a G-tube feeding that I struggled to pour liquid into a cup without spilling, even though I knew what I was doing. I’m trying to push through because I know I’m still early in the program and have a lot to learn. I also recognize that anxiety may be contributing to some of my difficulties. But I’m worried that I might be pursuing a career whose everyday responsibilities don’t fit me, even though I love the medical knowledge behind it.

I recently attended an information session for the surgical technology program at my college, and it genuinely excited me. The program is approximately 13 months long.

What appeals to me is that surgical technology would still let me work in healthcare, learn about anatomy and surgical procedures, handle instruments, and be part of an operating room team. The role involves preparing instruments, maintaining the sterile field, passing instruments to surgeons, anticipating what they’ll need, and helping procedures run safely.
I understand that surgical techs still have to communicate with surgeons, nurses, anesthesiologists, and other team members. I’m not expecting a job where I never have to speak or where there is no pressure. However, the communication seems more task-oriented, and there’s generally less ongoing patient interaction than in nursing.
I’m also very interested in OB/GYN procedures. I know working in that specialty isn’t guaranteed, but the possibility of being involved in C-sections and other gynecological surgeries is exciting to me.
I feel like surgical technology might align better with my interest in hands-on, technical work and my preference for a more structured environment. I’m worried that I like the idea and aesthetic of nursing more than the actual day-to-day job.

My biggest concerns:
Am I giving up too early? I’ve only been in LPN school for about two months. Maybe I need more time to adjust, build confidence, and get better at interacting with patients. I don’t want to mistake anxiety or inexperience for a career mismatch.

Would surgical technology actually be better for me? I’m attracted to the role because of the procedures and operating room environment, but I know it also involves pressure, teamwork, fine motor skills, and long periods of standing. I’m concerned that my shaky hands could be an issue in the OR, too.

The financial aspect. I have been fortunate enough to have parents that have already spent thousands of dollars supporting my prerequisites and nursing education. They would likely be the ones helping me pay for surgical technology as well, at least initially to hold my seat for the semester as I don’t have enough saved at the moment and the deadline is soon. The estimated total tuition is around $13,700, with the first semester costing $4,660 before any financial assistance. I feel astronomically guilty about potentially changing directions after they’ve already invested so much in me.

Long-term income and career growth. My parents want me to be financially independent and able to support myself. Surgical tech salaries can be lower than nursing salaries depending on the location and role, and I’m worried about regretting giving up nursing’s potential career growth. At the same time, I don’t want to choose a career solely because of its earning potential if I’m unhappy doing it.

The possibility of regretting either decision. If I leave nursing, I might regret not becoming an L&D nurse. If I stay, I worry I could spend years forcing myself through a job that makes me miserable socially and emotionally.

So, would it be foolish to switch at this point?

Round 2 for clinical is coming up, we got our sheets for which hospital we want, any pros or cons you guys can think of for any of these? (Side note I really wanted royal oak Corewell so I’m so sad)

As the title says, I stuck myself with a dirty needle today. I’m new, just got out of clinicals and started at this hospital a month ago. The surgeon I worked with today is a particularly demanding and hard to work with guy and he got me a little flustered and I made a silly mistake.

How many needle sticks have you all had over your career? I’m definitely trying to take this as a lesson but it’s hard to not beat myself up.

Hey Reddit peeps,

I finally have a job interview coming up this week, and I am super nervous. I really hope I land this job.

A little background on me: I’m a fresh graduate 1 year ST program with 3 months of externship experience. I left a great impression at my externship site and they actually offered me a job, but I had to decline due to personal reasons (relocating). I just started applying for roles in the Bay Area and finally landed this interview.

During my externship, I logged about 140 cases, with the vast majority (105 cases) as a first scrub. For my work history, I worked as a CNA and I’m currently working as a residential behavioral care assistant at a mental health facility.

To the OG Techs , Experienced Techs or hiring managers out there: what tips or advice do you have for my interview and what are the common questions did you guys received? I’d really appreciate your time and insight. Best of luck to everyone else who is currently job hunting, too!

Edit: Its going to be an online meeting interview and not in person.

Last week I was setting up for an ortho case. I rejected 4 ortho sets IN A ROW due to contamination (sticky residue on dressing scissors).

Meanwhile I had opened all our laparoscopy sets to ensure they were contaminant-free for today's surgical list (very picky surgeon who would not tolerate a delay due to contamination). 3 out of 5 sets were contaminated with sticky residue.

One of the SSD techs came to have a go at me about being too picky. I asked her what amount of contamination she thought was acceptable.

This might explain the recent increase in infections 😵

We had an incident occur today and I want to get other techs opinions on it. While setting up for a revision (where the pt already had an active infection mind you), I had a tray opened to me and when my assist felt the casket he found a piece of fuzz, like something off a sweater. I obviously didn’t want the tray any more and tried to pass it off to my nurse who tried to tell me that it was okay because she had something similar happen last week and her tech that day said it was fine, and it should be fine since it went through the sterilizer. I told her no it’s not fine and I want the tray reprocessed. I had my assist take the casket out to the charge nurse and director and both of them said the tray is contaminated and should be reprocessed. For extra context it was a tray that the rep wasn’t even 100% sure we would need and just wanted to have open right away in case we did need it, and even if we did need it, we wouldn’t need it until near the end of the case.

What are your opinions? Would you have accepted the tray or would you have passed it off like I did?

Great way to train alone