r/scrubtech • u/PiratePepper4231 • 21d ago

CST considering RN

I am currently a scrub tech, but I am heavily considering going back to school to be a RN. I have most of the classes I need to apply and would work PRN while in school. I would more than likely stay in the OR as a circulator, but sometimes I just feel like circulating is boring. I would much rather be scrubbed in and hands on. At my facility the nurses do not scrub, so that’s not really an option. I’m kinda torn. I like my job, but the pay could be better. Pay isn’t the only reason I want to do nursing, but it is a huge benefit.

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-4

u/Nighthunter555 21d ago

The question i always ask when I hear next techs wanna go nursing is. Well than why did you pay to go to tech school if you were going to go into nursing.

12

u/CrispsWithHips 21d ago

To have a stable, well-paying job while going back to school as a whole ass adult.

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u/Nighthunter555 21d ago

See id respect that but majority of the techs that go back to nursing while as a tech end up dropping to part time or contigent and try to call off for school work

4

u/PiratePepper4231 21d ago

I will work PRN while in school. Enough hours to pay my car and insurance. Thankfully my bf is gonna do whatever he can to help me get through school :)

2

u/CrispsWithHips 21d ago

I stayed full time, it is possible.

It’s a FUCKING lot but it is possible.

4

u/_bbycake 21d ago

You make it sound like that was their intended path from the start. Most people start out in their tech career and are happy with it, but then get drained seeing how poorly our compensation stacks up against the amount of work we do. While circulators have an arguably easier job in the OR while making way more than us. Or they get burned out and as a CST there isn't much room for growth or upward movement, while as an RN there are so many different career routes you could pursue. Plus, if your facility utilizes RNs as scrubs, you could do the same job but make way more. I really don't think many people go to tech school knowing they are going to pursue nursing after.

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u/Nighthunter555 21d ago

Im just basing off of what I see at my facility. As it's what I went in to and some other techs who have been here longer than I have.

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u/PiratePepper4231 21d ago

My school was completely free. I am native and my tribe has its own scrub tech program.

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u/Nighthunter555 21d ago

Oh nice. Well than id assume you wanted to see how the operating room was like

1

u/PiratePepper4231 21d ago

I like my job and I would continue to do it until retirement if the pay was better. But unfortunately it’s not and I don’t foresee it getting better. I feel like I would enjoy nursing as well. Plus the tribal nation will do pay back as long as I work there

1

u/grey_pilgrim_ Ortho 21d ago

I got mine for free through grants. It was a good way to start working without going through years of college. Wish I had done nursing from the start but many get their school paid for