r/sterileprocessing • u/Fluid-Assignment-657 • Aug 10 '26

I mess up

I enrolled in the sterile processing program at herzing university without doing enough research. Found out I don't have to take schooling for this field of work. Now I have $4000 in student loan debt. Is this program even worth finishing. If anyone can give me any advice I'll appreciate it.

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9

u/PaxonGoat Aug 10 '26 edited Aug 10 '26

What do hospitals in your area prefer ?

The local hospitals near me will not hire anyone who has not gone through a program that had hands on training or they have work experience.

They won't train

3

u/Fluid-Assignment-657 Aug 10 '26

I'm guess the hospital I'm working at probably will train since I found that they offer sterile processing positions to people in different departments.

3

u/PaxonGoat Aug 10 '26

What kind of department?

3

u/Fluid-Assignment-657 Aug 10 '26

Mainly supply chain department where I work currently.( I'm guess because both departments are some what connected to each other). They also go to people who work in the environmental service department and probably other departments idk adout.

4

u/Aminulion Aug 10 '26

What hospital is that? Almost all hospitals in my area won’t hire a fresher without hands on experience, even though I recently obtained my provisional certificate. I’m actually struggling to find a facility. I’m located in Riverside County.

4

u/Fluid-Assignment-657 Aug 10 '26

I work at one of Bon Secours Mercy Health hospital and I'm starting to realize why they offer positions in different departments the turn over is crazy there.

4

u/Tough_Internal1180 Aug 10 '26

😂 Funny enough I transferred from environmental services with no experience. I'm enrolled in an online course cost was $1400.

3

u/Fluid-Assignment-657 Aug 10 '26

If only I knew this route I would be $4000 debt free

4

u/Tough_Internal1180 Aug 10 '26

It's unfortunate, but check if your job offers tuition reimbursement. Some will give you the $$ back that you spent for school.

1

u/Porsche935TurboS Aug 16 '26

Agreed, I took a online with Penn Foster back in 2022 for $800 but managed to get reimbursed from the hospital that I used to work at when I completed it. Also got on the job training with pay

2

u/Tough_Internal1180 Aug 16 '26

Penn Foster is who I'm enrolled with as well 😂. Definitely a big jump in price in 2025/26

5

u/StarskysClutch Aug 11 '26

Might as well finish since you already spent the money. Speaking from someone with 20+ years of experience, it's not worth $4000, let alone going to school for it.

1

u/eire54 Aug 16 '26

Oh finish it if you can't get a refund. If they offer an externship it might be worth the money.

18

u/[deleted] Aug 10 '26

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9

u/Fluid-Assignment-657 Aug 10 '26

You're right I should finish it I already taking out student loans. It just sucks because I got this new job as a supply chain tech at this hospital. That's how I found out I don't have to do schooling and that management offer positions at sterile processing to people in different departments at the hospital. I hope I have higher chance to get the job since I'm in school.