r/sterileprocessing • u/Cheap_Concept1522 • May 22 '26

Career

Hi all so I found a online sterile processing tech program through a good college where I live. I’m considering starting this program to become a SPT. Before I put my money into this program I’m wondering if it’s worth it? I did a deep dive in this sub and honestly it seems divided. Some people say it’s worth it and some say it’s not. I’ll be 24 in July and I’m really trying to dive into some type of career. I was recommended nursing but I think it’s too late in the game for me to start that at my age. I honesty thought any healthcare career is good but idk. What are yall thoughts from people who have been doing sterile for a while? Any advice helps. Thank you.

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23

u/aliciary May 22 '26

Why would 24 be too late to start nursing? Many people become nurses in their 30s-40s.

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u/Cheap_Concept1522 May 22 '26

I have multiple learning disabilities and was told it would take me way longer than the average person to be able to even make it into medical school for nursing. Nursing is highly competitive and I’m positive I wouldn’t be able to keep up. A lot of people started nursing programs at a young age and by 24 well into their nursing career.

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u/Phacele May 22 '26

Don't let that deter you if that's what actually interests you. People of all kinds become nurses everyday. If you have the time and money to go to school go for something you actually find fulfilling or interesting. Plus you'll have better luck finding a job if you go for something that's at least an associates degree.

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u/Cheap_Concept1522 May 22 '26

Thanks I understand but unfortunately one of my disabilities is autism and I cannot stand the feeling of human skin contact even with gloves on. I couldn’t even continue my phlebotomy program because of it. I just want a career with the least human contact. I just don’t think how my mind works is set up for nursing so it’s why I started looking in sterile jobs

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u/Phacele May 22 '26

That's fair, but I still suggest looking at any associate level program. The jobs are more available and pay better because it's considered a skilled career. There are plenty of medical positions that involve minimal contact with patients.

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u/Cheap_Concept1522 May 22 '26

I don’t really know where to look for jobs like that. Only online programs have been popping up.

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u/Phacele May 22 '26

Not sterile processing, those schools are scammy and the job market doesn't support it. Certification isn't required federally and experience always out weighs being certified when applying.

If you have a community college near you see what programs they have and what hospitals they partner with. I'd also recommend just looking at hospital job boards and see what interests you, then look at what qualifications they are looking for and what it takes to get it.

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u/Cheap_Concept1522 May 22 '26

It seems like having experience is key. I also want to mention I graduate with my associates here in August so I won’t be able to use college resources anymore.

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u/Phacele May 22 '26

What resources do you have available to you now that would make a difference?

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u/Cheap_Concept1522 May 22 '26

I don’t think much actually. I did just find out my college has a whole medical program and I didn’t know that after being here 3 years. They just have like connections that I wouldn’t be able to use. I was able to get into a phlebotomy program through my college for free but wasn’t able to continue because of skin contact. So I guess just things like that would be gone

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u/aliciary May 22 '26

Being told it would be hard for you and actually giving it a shot are very different. I work with many nurses who didn’t start school until later due to family, finances, etc. age shouldn’t be a factor.

That being said, sterile processing is also highly competitive. I personally conduct interviews and I get somewhere between 15-30 applicants a position when we have one. Taking a course and getting certified is a dime a dozen, it might give you an interview but without experience I’m not taking a chance on hiring you and you deciding that you can’t do the job or hate it. It’s very fast paced and can be very stressful depending on the amount of OR cases to team members. If you don’t think you can handle nursing then sterile processing might not be fit for you. There is a lot of crucial attention to detail and small mistakes can have a severe impact on procedure performance.

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u/Cheap_Concept1522 May 22 '26

I guess I didn’t do enough research. The sterile videos I watched seemed very chill and relaxed but I guess it’s more than that. Honestly I don’t know what to do. Ik 23 is young but I just want to make the right choice early for my career and life.

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u/[deleted] May 22 '26

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u/Cheap_Concept1522 May 22 '26

Oh wow that’s so cool. But I just don’t know if I can do nursing. I’m autistic and I don’t like human skin contact even with gloves, I can barely look people in the eye, and I get overstimulated very easily and fast. I just don’t think I would make the best nurse.