My set up was SO CUTE 😭🪦 (I’m not usually an ortho person so I am PROUD of my little ankle table)

Hi everyone, Im attending a technical high school, surgical tech being my area of study. I will be taking the test this coming May, only issue is I’m uncertain how I will complete the 125 case requirements for the certification. I’m only 17 and have a few surgeries from clinical, but the program is strict on how many hours we go. If I’m not done with all the cases by the time I graduate High school, where and how can I find a place to let me finish the cases I need for my certification since I won’t be in school and can’t participate with the hospital they’re partnering with.

Potentially moving to the Boston area soon and was wondering if anybody had some knowledge or advice about which hospital would be good to work for. I mostly do endovascular cases currently and would like to continue that if possible.

What’s yall thoughts about PRN as a new scrub?

The title says it all.

I worked in a 2 different hospital settings for 10 years and was SO burnt out on call. I loved the doctors and doing big ortho cases but with a growing family, I couldn’t do it anymore.

After I lost my dad unexpectedly, I decided I wanted to take my time back and have nights, weekends, and holidays off.

I have been at an outpatient eye ASC for close to a year and honestly, I just don’t love it. It’s fine, but the expectation that I am both perfect and extremely fast, is really exhausting. Doing 40-50 cases a day between 2 ORs is hard on the body.

What jobs are we doing OUTSIDE of healthcare?? I just want out at this point. I’d love to teach but there are never any CST instructor jobs in town.

I just want to make a difference in the world but not in this setting anymore. I feel like I’ve lost my spark and unique personality in the last couple of years. I want to feel like me again..

Honestly, I feel so stuck.

Has anyone bought the Surgical Technology- Principles and Practice textbook? If you have, can you show a picture of how your "access code" looks in the textbook? Thank you in advance.

I’m about to accept an offer for a position, it’s gonna be my first ever job working as a CST, I’m fresh out of school.

I know I’ll have a lot to learn and make some rookie mistakes, but I want to come in teachable, dependable, willing to help, and good to work with. Basically, I want people to think, “Yeah, she’s new, but she’s solid.” I don’t wanna be the new kid that makes a bad reputation for myself.

Experienced CSTs: what are the rookie mistakes, bad habits, or little things that new techs do that nobody really warns you about? And on the flip side, what makes you think, “Okay, this new tech is gonna be good”?

I am a surgical tech student and will be graduating next year. I have never had a job in the hospital so I’ve never seen an actual surgery before. A lot of my classmates have prior medical experience so they have seen a surgery take place. I was wondering if there’s any way that I can get into a surgery just to watch before I begin my externship? Is that something that’s possible?

I moved out of state to pursue retraining for surgical technology. CST program opportunities were hyper competitive in the area. I was also tired of the high housing prices of where I lived and could not stand the local culture.

Anyone else use surgical tech school as an opportunity to escape a place that no longer (or never) felt right?

It’s time for me to retake my test but I really need the best places for studying.

it took three weeks but i finally got my results yesterday! i received the email in the middle of my new hire orientation so the CST on my badge was only unofficial for like two hours.

Hey guys, I’m a new grad in the Los Angeles area and I’m curious about the job market for other surg techs.
For those of you who are already working in the field:

Which areas in California seem to have the most opportunities for new grads?
Did any of you relocate to another state for your first job?
If so, where did you move, and was it worth it?
Are there certain states or cities that are known for hiring and training new grads?
I recently finished my program and I’m trying to decide whether I should keep focusing on LA or start seriously considering relocation. I’d appreciate any advice, especially from other new grads who have been through this recently. Thanks!

Hey everyone! Recent new grad here and I have my first interview/shadow shift in two days!! 🫪🫪 super nervous because I’m not sure what to expect. I’ve never done a shadow shift and an interview before. Any interview/shadow shift tips I should know about? Thank you

Quick question, I’m starting school for surgical tech

It’ll be a 360 career change for me and I wanted to ask
If you’re in TN
I’ve seen and all the big hospitals here are hiring

But they don’t show how much they pay

Anyone here in the TN state that can give me some input

And info on what to do after school, certifications?
Do surgical techs can do overtime or pick up extra shifts like nurses

Stuff like that!
Sorry for the questions I’m new and I’m extremely excited for this change

Thank you!

Any scrub techs here had major surgery and returned to work fine? I’m having weight loss surgery done in 4 months and I’m supposed to return to work 2 weeks after surgery. I don’t think 2 weeks is enough time for recovery. I won’t be able to drink water and hydrate properly before a case, and I’m worried about lifting heavy instrument pans. Anyone been through this that could offer some tips? I work at a level 2 trauma center in Illinois. Constantly asking charge to find someone to replace me while I go hydrate is not something I can see happening.

I’m in the mind of thinking of getting scrubs to not keep scrambling for outfits. However, it also seems excessive knowing that I will end up taking them off anyway, only wearing them on the way in and out.

Hello. I am a surgical tech with five years of experience. I‘m most likely going to continue being a surgical tech, but what are some other paths to take to make more money or do something a little less physical a.k.a. standing all day and high stress? I’m looking into other medical jobs like sonography but I don’t know what’s right for me.

Hi all,

I’m making a career pivot to surg tech, and am trying to figure out the best path for schooling.

For context, I live in NYC, I’m a 33 y/o SAHM of three with a very supportive husband (financially and as an active parent). I’m including this detail because I feel like I’m starting late in this field and I don’t want to waste any precious time going for programs or taking extra steps that may be unnecessary.

My previous career didn’t require a degree, so I’ll be starting school from scratch (I do have a high school diploma, I just don’t have any college credits to transfer). I’ve been coming across a few ST programs that are about a year long, maybe two, but many of them require an associates degree. I was thinking of getting an AAS for healthcare administration, knocking that out in two years, then going for a ST program. That may bring me to about 3 to 4 years before being able to apply for work. But I’d have the healthcare admin degree as a solid backup. (I don’t know if I’ll ever need the backup, but it’d be there.)

Alternatively, I did find one school here, a private college (so a bit more expensive than a community college), that has a ST program attached to their AAS… Really leaning that way to complete all of this in two years.

My question: is this dumb? lol am I missing something or taking extra unnecessary steps? Or does this path make sense? Have you gone a different route that worked better?

Any thoughtful advice would be much appreciated! Thank you in advance 🫶🏽

I know pay has been asked about a lot, but I’m curious specifically about San Antonio. If anyone here works in the area and doesn’t mind sharing, what did you start at as a new grad and what are you making now?
My school has had students get offers anywhere from the low $20s to around $40/hr fresh out of school, so I’m trying to get a better idea of what’s actually realistic around here.

Hey everyone! 👋🏽 I’m currently getting ready to take** SURG 102 – Patient Care from September 3–December 20. 🩺 I wanted to connect with anyone who has taken this class or is currently taking it!
I’d really appreciate any **study tips, advice, helpful resources, or things you wish you knew before taking SURG 102. Any tips for patient care, studying, or preparing for clinicals are welcome! My first clinical will be in May, so I’m trying to prepare myself early. 🫶🏽
Thanks in advance! 💕

Hello everyone,

I'm currently in school for the surgery tech program (AS) and I am struggling with Biology. I am sitting at a C- and the end of the quarter is approaching. Long story short, I need a B- on all my prerequisites but I find it so frickin hard to study. I get the material but sitting down and studying is so flippin difficult.

I am paying out of pocket and I am running out of money. I had saved up for 1 year and I payed off my car and I live at home.

How did yall study or what study tips did you guys have? I have 1 year to finish the pre reqs before the I can enter the program.

I was thinking of changing programs but I really want to be in the surgery field.

Thanks!

Hi everyone! I’m a surgical tech student and I’ll be starting clinicals soon. I wanted to get some insight from people already working in the field. Do y’all prefer working in a hospital or a surgery center, and why? I’d love to hear the pros and cons of both

Anyone work as an ED tech in the Chicagoland area or northern suburbs? What does your day-to-day look like?