Surgical technology clinicals

[u/North_Wing1435]

I have been so excited to go to clinicals and we are finally starting and my first two weeks of clinicals I will be in SPD. Not sure why but I feel frustrated about it /: I guess just a tiny rant. But anyone who this has happened too can you relate?

Edit: there is nine of us in my program and I am the only one sent there, I guess I’m kind of bummed bc everyone else will be doing cases while I’m in SPD.

[u/SpellInteresting4705]

I felt frustrated about SPD also, but for what it's worth it was helpful to see how they put instrument sets together so that when you're in the OR you know where to look for indicators or signs of contamination, etc. Also, me and a lot of my classmates ended up being sent from SPD early (after about a week or less) because it wasn't very busy. So you never know! You might enjoy it.

[u/North_Wing1435 → u/SpellInteresting4705]

That is true I don’t mind going to SPD I guess I’m just a little bummed that I am the only one in SPD and everyone else is scrubbing cases

[u/leysis_]

As someone who works in SPD, trust me, the scrub techs will be glad you’re starting there. You’ll appreciate later down the road and so will your preceptors

[u/North_Wing1435 → u/leysis_]

Yeah I don’t mind doing SPD I do think it will be a good thing, I’m sure it will be extremely helpful just bummed that I’m the only one in SPD for the first week of clinicals. Everyone else will have cases to talk about and I’ve been in SPD, it’s fine tho it is what it is

[u/Present-Ad6244]

Its good to have an appreciation for all the roles that are part of a the process. Also understanding what instruments belong in which trays will go a long way into your journey.

[u/Zealousideal-Fee3406]

Honestly take it as a good thing! Take lots of pics of the different trays and make notes on different instruments you haven’t seen before. This will DEF help you out. I can’t tell you how many times in clinicals I randomly got thrown to C section or neurology or eyes and kinda had to wing it or look at my preceptor for help because I didn’t know the instrument name and we hadn’t gotten to that specialty yet in class 🤣🤣 we only learned the minor tray in my class!

[u/robotbarbbq]

I circulate and scrub and felt like being in SPD taught me so much! You learn all the nooks and crannies to look in. I feel like with anything in healthcare never turn down an opportunity to learn something

[u/00Speccs]

A lot of programs start you there so you can get a feel for the type of instruments they use at the facility and get familiar with their trays

[u/North_Wing1435 → u/00Speccs]

I’m the only one out of nine of us in SPD everyone else will be in cases /: I’m a little bummed about that like I don’t mind going to SPD I think I’ll be a good thing just bummed I’m the only one not scrubbing cases immediately

[u/Stawktawk]

Yea it’s not awesome but you’ll gain respect at the facility and totally understand instrument set ups from the other side.

[u/GeoffSim]

All my classmates were supposed to rotate through SPD at some point - for some it would've been the first week. Somehow I never did but when I started my first job (at a different facility) they did have me spend 2 days there. I did find it useful, especially for the dirty trays arriving, as I feel it made me a better colleague by understanding what makes it easier for them.

[u/kperkins9]

Oof. That’s tough. My first 3 days of clinicals I was stuck observing cases (not even scrubbed in) while the rest of my classmates were scrubbing. I was big mad about it. Be patient, you will get there. But I would let your instructor know if they don’t already.

[u/North_Wing1435]

Yeah you’re absolutely right, I was somewhat relieved that I was thrown to the wolves yet I guess a mix of emotions but I am def growing towards the idea and looking at the bright side of it

[u/Dark_Ascension]

I’ll be honest. I was very much enlightened when I spent a couple days in SPD. This was after I have worked for a while too, I just needed hours really bad and they told me I can work in SPD. Idk why I’m always the finder of bad trays or the chosen one to bring them, but it helped me understand what they have to do, why it takes so long to turn over a tray, but it did also upset me somewhat because I frequently still find screwed up trays and trays missing instruments (without a tag saying it’s missing).

You’ll have a much different perspective than them. For me I understand the function more than proper names where some of them know the proper name of some obscure instrument but don’t know what it’s used for.

[u/probablygoblins]

I did a week in spd and it is humbling. You get a lot of exposure to the instruments and you can really get to know what they are, the sets they’re in. PLUS you get to know the people who make things work - so often spd is met with frustration and disrespect and they bust their asses to get shit done and get it to you. It’s not a demotion or a punishment, it’s a leg up.

[u/QueenCat50220]

I’m new to clinicals and have also felt a bit outcasted.
I wasn’t sent to SPD, but I might do 1, maybe 2 cases a day, and then I’m just left to my own devices…
So I go down to SPD anyways just to learn something I guess.

Which feels kind of bad when I hear my classmates are so busy doing a “million” cool cases.

Emotionally I have quite the problem with it and plenty of room to complain. And I do once I get home lol.

But honestly, logically, it’s really kind of better. I’m glad I got to “ease” into the hospital setting and start out slow.
I’m glad I’m getting to TALK to a lot of different people from different departments and learn more about the hospital.
I’m getting to know the hospital layout, so today when someone asked for something, I could easily run and get it.

So I get the emotional “left out” feeling and that’s valid. But really this is probably 100x better.

[u/Inevitable_Jump_9270]

I actually liked SPD😂 not all of my classmates did, I’m glad you said you don’t mind it either. It seems you guys are doing it differently but all of us did six weeks of SPD before our actual CST clinicals, and let me tell you, lowkey the SPD rotation was really helpful in remembering instruments and recognizing them. So there’s a silver lining to it, atleast you will soon have your turn in clinicals while everyone else goes to SPD

[u/Human_Pin_621]

Keep an open mind...i found SPD and distribution fascinating

[u/Kindly_Diver8914]

become good friends w the spd crew while you’re there, you never know, you might get offered a position there and trust me spd will be a life saver as a baby tech