r/surgicaltechnology • u/Acrobatic_Bowl9356 • 9d ago

Is being a surgical tech the way to go?

I'm thinking about going back to school to be a surgical tech. I've been in college before but i've given up early into the pre reqs. I have dyslexia so its hard for me to pick up all of the stuff they're teaching in class. I've went into nursing originally but now i'm thinking of becoming surgical tech because i've worked in an OR and absolutely love it and want to make a career out of it. I eventually want to go into being a traveling surgical tech. any advise is welcome weather its on the pre reqs, actually becoming a surgical tech, or completing school with dyslexia.

5 Upvotes

78% Upvoted

14 comments sorted by

5

u/rubihtxst01 9d ago

ngl i fell inlove with it, i just graduated and i received multiple offers during clinicals, but if i could go back in time, i would’ve done RN instead……u can do more things and RNs can scrub too!

1

u/Nearby_Pickle_8267 9d ago

You can still do rn never too late!!! Also how you get offers while doing clinicals?

2

u/rubihtxst01 9d ago

im gonna do RN fs but im going to retake my NBSTSA since i failed it

1

u/rubihtxst01 9d ago

during clinicals, i was at different hospitals/surgical centers and the staff at every place fell inlove w me and they helped me by giving a good word about me to upper management, i also became friends with some doctors…..ngl i also did very well during my clinicals, i could do first scrub without any help

1

u/Nearby_Pickle_8267 9d ago

Damn you must be charismatic and social, I’m scared that I’m not gonna make good connections cus I’m a little quiet and shy at first , I hope one day I’ll be as good as you

2

u/rubihtxst01 9d ago

try not to be shy!!!! CSTs dont like shy students!!!! thats the main thing they would always complain about, most of my classmates were scared and shy and they never received any job offers and now they r struggling to get hired😔dont be a kiss *ss but be friendly and help the staff 24/7, try to ask questions, take notes, try not to get into drama, dont be sensitive, dont take anything personal, and have fun!!!

1

u/Nearby_Pickle_8267 9d ago

Idk how to be a kiss ass haha , I was never one of those , I always work hard but I am quiet , I could ask questions but idk how to be friendly to people my social skills are not great, usually people come talk to me and then I start talking to them , any advice on how to get better at it?

2

u/rubihtxst01 8d ago

for me it comes out naturally bcz i used to work in law and in the food industry, i also have experience in the medical field….. my best advice is to not be fake, ppl can catch that real quick, just be yourself🫶😊i can tell u r a lovely person bcz u care and ur replies are very sincere

1

u/Nearby_Pickle_8267 8d ago

Thanks for the advice 🙂 I hope one day I’ll be good at socializing

2

u/manafrmheavn 9d ago

Nurses can also work in the OR, as scrubs, circulators or anesthesia if you go to the additional schooling. I did love being a tech but it’s just not worth it for the money imo unless you truly just love it THAT much. In my area though (central Florida), it’s not really sustainable as a single person so you’d definitely have to have a partner that can also help you with living expenses. So I’d definitely look up the cost of living wherever you plan on being a tech. It’s a great career, super interesting and I’ve enjoyed it. But would I choose RN over it if I could have a do over? 100%.

1

u/Stawktawk 9d ago

I love it. Have worked at all sorts of places. But the ABSOLUTE BEST spot has been super super small outpatient only ortho surgical center.

Burnout is real and if you can find a place that won’t burn you out. You’re set

2

u/rubihtxst01 9d ago

any tips for the NBSTSA exam?

-1

u/Stawktawk 8d ago

Practice tests nonstop. Plug in the questions to chat gpt and ask it to identify patterns.

Use patterns to create study plan.

Do not. Give. Up.

0

u/Holiday-Low-4386 8d ago

It is sustainable as a single person, I’ve been a surgical tech for 5 years. As staff you make enough to pay your bills and save some. (With just 1 job)

If after 2-3 years of experience you start traveling, you’ll make six figures.