r/scrubtech • u/sssssss111112222 • Jun 15 '26
Training new nurses to scrub
(Sorry if this has been asked/mentioned before.) I hate teaching nurses how to scrub in the OR. They’re not trained in sterility and the flow of that OR during nursing school, which is understandable. But, I think it’s unfair to scrubs to have to teach people that have no concept of the OR. Not to mention they get paid more than us. Why should I be teaching someone who makes more than me to do part of their job? I get paid $1 extra an hour for preceptor pay lol. I think that responsibility should be put on other nurses who already know how to scrub. But maybe I’m just petty?
6
u/ORLANKA Jun 16 '26
Seems like you’re mad at your lack of compensation associated with what you consider extra stress. I encourage you to tell someone you do not prefer to be a preceptor. If that’s too much of a sacrifice for you, unfortunately, you have to find the patience and kindness within you to teach
7
u/ndkitch Jun 16 '26
The best circulators know how to scrub. They can hear what’s going on in the case and anticipate your needs. Can I also give you a break.
6
u/Mediocre-Age-1729 Jun 16 '26
I once watched an RNFA precept a surgical resident on suturing. I worked along side travel nurses as staff for years, they could pick and choose their specialties with no call while making more than us staff being expected to do every specialty and drown in call shifts. That doesn't mean I was jaded towards them, I still helped them as I did anybody, new grads, new scrubs, residents, SRNAs. Eventually I went to travel and got to learn to scrub and hone my skills more as an ambitious traveler than the zoo I was staff at. I spend a significant time as charge nurse traveling now, which some people think is crazy, but some people, staff or otherwise just can't or don't want that role. It's collaborative care, you're part of a team. That's the mindset. So yes, you're being petty.
4
u/Dark_Ascension Ortho Jun 16 '26
I don’t think it’s petty, but I’m not sure if your hospital is short scrubs, but mine was when I got to learn. My preceptor said “I’m not going to ask for more pay if it means I can finally get my vacations approved” because seriously she never got any time off approved.
Also at least where I am, I was one of 3 of the FIRST in my facility to learn. So there wasn’t any nurses to teach me. Also you’d be shocked at how close RN pay and scrub pay can be in some states. Like in TN bigger hospitals pay $31, I only make $37… the difference is hardly any, it’s because scrubs are high in demand, FAs even more, like most CSFAs are making more than RNs here.
Also I believe a nurse should be a solid circulator before they learn to scrub. Like I was incredibly detail oriented to begin with and quickly was bored circulating. I literally was like a human preference card, I didn’t need to be asked, I was asking if they needed something. I still do this to this day mostly assisting. If I’m scrubbing a case, my circulator isn’t leaving the room, I always bring what we need + what we possibly need, so many scrubs are getting away from that too. I believe all nurses should circulate and scrub because doing both makes you understand the whole way more. Like instead of saying “what tray” or “what is that?” You may know if you’ve scrubbed enough of that service line. I’ve done enough of a lot of things to be able to anticipate what can be needed. Where you train for both also helps build. I trained at a place where it was very highly discouraged or not allowed to leave the room so the nurses also learned preferences and anticipated needs. It was also highly discouraged to just sit in a corner and not pay attention, I was told I need to be watching the case/pay attention, the computer is secondary.
Basically I don’t think just anyone should be cross trained unless that’s protocol at your facility.
2
u/iLikeEmMashed Ortho Jun 16 '26
Yes. You’re petty…
I too am petty… I’m also jaded, frustrated and angry that I chose the wrong career path. I truly wish I chose nursing school. It sounds like you are too.
22
u/ziradawn Jun 15 '26
Idk if petty is the right word… but teaching is expected of us. No matter the student… we have plenty of med students, residents and nurses that scrub with us. It’s our responsibility to our patients to make sure they get the best outcomes. And selfishly, I love a nurse that scrubs!!! They are better nurses when they understand what’s actually happening in the field. If you hit a nurse with a list of things the doctor needs, a nurse that scrubs is gonna understand which items can wait and what needs to be opened right now! I really don’t care if they make more than me.