My wife is going to school to be a surgical tech. Is this a good medical field?

Question

She is being told by alot of people that it is a bad field to get in to. Any advice?

Answer 1

The role of the Surgical Technician is expanding, not decreasing as Nitty has suggested. RNs are too expensive and there is too great a shortage of OR trained RNs to use them for the tasks which can be performed by the Surgical Technician (often called OR tech). Actually the tasks performed by the ST are much more enjoyable the the tasks of an OR nurse. They are however, more physically demanding, and for either job, the days are long, and there is a lot of time on your feet. Another issue for some is the time period between breaks. As surgical techs are part of the surgical field, and there is a need for accountability of all items used during a surgical procedure, surgeons and OR nurses prefer that the techs stay with the case until it is completed (if at all possible). This can mean significant periods without food or bathroom breaks, or the opportunity to sit.

During my days working as a private scub nurse and RN first assistant for a surgeon who performed extensive and complicated surgeries, It was not unheard of for me to scrub in at 0700 and still be at the table 12 to 14 hours later. Though technology has shortened many cases, the advances in surgeries has introduced new cases of extended length.

Having worked first as a Surgical Tech, before finishing nursing school, and then spending several years working in the OR. I have a lot of experience with the tech position. I also coordinated the clinical training for the technician course, for 4 years and then moved and was the director of the classroom and clinical training program for a very large surgical technician course.

It is a great occupation, many people get the job and stay in it for their careers, others move into other areas of health care related to the operating room or OR specialties, many go back to school and become nurses.

I think your wife is making a good choice.

I'm glad I was a Surgical Technician.

Answer 2

I work in healthcare, in a hospital setting. There is always a market for a good surgical tech. One thing she needs to remember is that the technology is constantly changing and that she will always have to keep her eyes open and be ready to take courses to improve her skills.

Several years ago there were no lasers in the OR, and finding a tech with laser experience was difficult, now everybody needs to have that training.

Non-invasive surgery has been the focus over the last few years, and entails handling some very specialized equipment.

You can tell your wife that this is not a sit around kind of job. She will be on her feet all day, doctors try to maximize their time in the OR so they will be trying to get to as many patients as possible and her job will be to have everything ready to go without delay. But if she's good, the doctors will love her and she will feel great about her contribution.

Pay isn't too bad either, we average $50K - $60K per year.

Tell her good luck.

Also, in response to NittyGritty: We are actually seeing a swing in hiring more tech's and trying to keep the nurses productive by not picking up the tech's tasks. But that's in a hospital. If your wife is looking to work in a surgi-center or MD office NittyGritty is right, become an RN.

Answer 3

I was a surgical tech. before I went back to school for my nursing degree. Is tech a bad field, absolutely not. I had much rather scrub on a case than circulate. With scrubbing you have to know the instruments, what the Dr. wants before he ask for it. The scrub nurse has more hands on in surgery than a circulator (which is usually a RN) I have also taught surgery tech. Some of my students got job offers with surgical sales companies. Two were hired to work with a well known company. Techs can also work in the central supply part of the hospital. Be a surgical assistant for a surgeon. The bad part of being a tech or scrub nurse is the standing for long periods of time. There are many jobs you can get with having your surgical tech diploma. She will find it a very rewarding career.

Best of luck with her decision!

Answer 4

I have been told that all medical jobs are in-demand, but I guess it depends on the type of person you are what type of job best suits you. The pay for medical field jobs is very high all over the place. Some granted are higher than others. I have never been told by anyone that it is not a good job.

Answer 5

There's no "good" or "bad" fields or professions. It really depends on how the person (your wife) feels about it.

Whatever gives her joy is the right choice!

Answer 6

you are able to persist with for extra scholarships and aspects which do no longer would desire to be paid lower back and in case you persist with for economic instruct you ways to can get residing fees have her confer together with her coaching counselor on the subject of the placement.

Answer 7

i think it could be outsourced because nurses can do the job...tell her to do nursing she can specialize in surgery...it probably doesnt pay near what nursing does.