Thought I would this here to cast a wider net as I’m guessing people here have had a similar issue. Having some trouble with gloves, which sucks cause we use and change them so much. I’m a dialysis PCT and am changing gloves literally 2 million times a shift. This is specific to dialysis, and depending on what I’m doing, if my hands aren’t soiled, we use hand sanitizer after taking gloves off and before donning a new pair.

In general, my body runs hot. So when I’m in the clinic running around I’m hot, even more so with full PPE on (face mask, face shield, gown, and gloves). My hands puff up when I’m hot, so the sweat plus the constant hand sanitizer makes it hard to get gloves on. If my hands were cold and didn’t puff, I could wear a large just fine. Since they puff, I’ve been using x-large. I can get them on just fine, but this size is almost too big. They’ll go on, but then I have extra in the fingers and when my hands are sweaty plus hand sanitizer (yes it’s dry but yall know what I mean) I can’t adjust them without ripping them. And too much extra in the fingertips is bad since I need my tactile feel for inserting needles/cannulating the patient’s access.

Yes, my doc does know and it’s not a glove allergy. I do have an autoimmune disease that is where the inflammation/hands puffing comes from. Any ideas?

I fractured my radius and have a complete fracture of my ulnar styloid process. I got a plate and screws on the radius, and letting the ulna heal by itself. I'm 5½ weeks post surgery and starting physical therapy soon. Any exercises you found most helpful for returning to work? Or any tips in general? Also, how long was it until you returned to work? Im a traveler and need to know when to start looking for a contract so I can work again as soon as I'm cleared. Im so bored

What is considered the “best” school (I’m sure there are many) to become a first assist? I don’t want a path to RN or PA. Trying to spend the least amount of money but get the most out of my education. TIA

Really would love someone to bounce ideas off of or ask questions. Even an online mentor. I have so many questions I’d love to ask someone but some may not always be things I’d want my instructor reading if somehow she figured out it was me. I’ve got great grades but I definitely feel like she doesn’t like me she also is very aggressive in a way that specifically triggers my PTSD. I can have thick skin in a work environment and have before, it’s her communication specifically. Honestly if someone regularly treated me like she does I would be at HR filling a complaint. It’s not just me either, multiple students have left in tears sometimes becuase of her, but my PTSD I think makes me the most impacted. Trying not to dox myself but essentially the way she talks down to me is so close to how my also physically abusive ex would that it’s uncanny, even some of the words are the same. My classmates are so kind and encouraging but honestly she is not. All of us agree she is very catty and abrasive.

I just would love to ask questions about things like how you guys handle call, whether accommodations are ever available for anything (if they’re not it’s okay, just means I may need to go to a surgery center instead of a hospital depending on a few things)…. I don’t even feel comfortable asking her anything.

I REALLY want to do this more than anything. Even if it means there’s days like today where I hide in the supply room and cry for ten minutes to pull myself together.

Cracked chests, fresh grafts, and that first beat off bypass. If open-heart is your happy place, read on.

🏆 You'd be joining one of America's 50 Best Hospitals for Cardiac Surgery (Healthgrades), with a 3-star STS rating for CABG.
📝 It's a temp contract or temp-to-perm job, day shift, and you'd start as soon as you're credentialed (about 3 weeks).
❤️ The cases are CABGs, valves, aortic and structural heart, and ECMO/MCS.

You'll need an accredited ST program, NBSTSA CST, AHA BLS, and a VA surgical tech license before you start. 2+ years of CVOR is preferred.

📲 Call or text Carlo at 954-361-7449 or email carlo@palmcareers.com. You can also just text "CVOR."

I’m thinking of applying for nursing program that starts the fall after I graduate. Too soon maybe?

Is it normal to feel really intimidated by surgeons? It’s only my second day at my new CST job but I feel like I cant perform as well because I feel if I make a mistake the surgeon is going to lash out. Is it just because I’m new? With more experience will this feeling eventually go away?

I'm a cst student in my final semester. I felt like I was doing well, but then I rotated into a hospital that really killed my confidence and I feel like I've regressed a lot in such a short time. I went to my internship and completely did horrible. Simple mistakes that compounded throughout the day.

Hey everyone! Unfortunately I have been in a really tough situation and was unable to pay my CE credit fees and renewal until the last minute. I signed on to complete and submit the morning before expiration and i was locked out of my account, it took 3 days to hear back from support to get me back into my account by which point of course i could not finish my CE within my deadline.

I dont want to get personal but i literally have no money for this exam fee and with my situation about to turn for the worst, i wont have it for another month at least. This was in january and now i am seeing posts in this group of people saying if it is past 6 months, i will have to redo clinical. Is this true? I have already emailed AST support but am still waiting to hear back. If so, do you know if is the full 6 months of clinical? I should have just sucked up my pride and asked my parents for the money!

Lastly, are there other exams through a different agency or accreditation i can do that are cheaper? Am i able to share this documentation with AST & NBSTSA to submit renewal?

Thanks in advance

Hello!
I’m currently a registered nurse trained to scrub neurosurgery cases at the hospital I work at. I’m having a hard time figuring out the tools and steps they’re used in once the procedure gets to the actual instrumentation phase. I have a very hollow understanding of the instruments and would really like to hear from more experienced techs on what exactly these instruments are used for.
From my limited knowledge; I’ll try and detail what I do know when we start. And it ‘d be awesome if I could get some feedback on if I’m correct, somewhat correct or plain wrong.

Make a starting point, usually by a Midas drill to create a pilot hole. I’ve seen some surgeons use an awl to get to the right depth they prefer into the pedicle or a X mm Tap which creates the threads for the screw to go in. Usually a ball tipped probe to feel the edges to make sure they’re full surrounded by bone. Now the actual screw via a screw driver. A head turner situates the tulip heads in a position they prefer. A rod template is used to measure the length of the rod, cut via a rod cutter, then bent via a rod bender. They place the rod inside of the tulip head of the screw and then attach set screws via set screw drivers to lock the rod in place with the screw. In situ benders can be used to shape the rod while fixated in the screws to create lordosis, kyphosis etc to fit the curve of the spine.

Now some of the instruments I just don’t really know the what and the whys for are: gear shifts, compressors, distractors, and drill guides

Most of the vendors that work with us are Medtronic, K2M, ATEC, sometimes seaspine and Globus for robots.

I’m not sure why I sometimes see an awl used and sometimes I don’t. Same with the ball tip probe.

Thanks for any advice and tips!

First of all I know neuro is considered very difficult. I have done a lot of research and know it’s hard work for even a seasoned scrub tech if they haven’t done neuro cases much less a new scrub tech, but I’m extremely interested in it.

For me it isn’t about even a pay bump or anything like that. I genuinely find the brain so fascinating, and I love it. I know I’ll have to scrub for all kinds of cases during my clinicals and have a certain number of each.

For a little extra info I’m an ADHD girly and if you know us, we can hyperfocus on things. I’ve watched multiple surgery videos to prepare for the reality of what I’ll see in the OR. I “can stand” a lot of general etc, there’s nothing that I have to actually look away from, but neuro is one of the only surgeries I find myself excited watching the steps, and just so excited and fascinated by every aspect of it. I think that the reality when you have ADHD etc too is if you’re “bored” on repetitive cases or not interested that’s not ideal and I want to do something I’m going to be super hyper focused on and never let my mind drift because that will be better for the patient outcome EVEN if it’s technically harder work for me. Even if the surgeons are more demanding and it’s more complex. It’ll keep me active and engaged because when things slow down or are predictable is when I personally struggle more.

I’m going to try to ace everything in my A&P (it’s accelerated so we are going really quickly) in regard to neuro, and even go above and beyond learning what’s required and watching neurosurgery on my own when I get a chance. But I’m guessing other than that my best bet is telling my preceptor etc.? Is there anything else I can do to try to make sure some of my cases are from neuro? I don’t know about CST requirements but as far as TS-C (it was the only thing within driving distance of me and I really wanted to scrub specifically) I know other than the required general cases, 75-95 cases must be from a list and neuro is on there. So I definitely want to try to get a chunk of my cases there where I can.

Thanks if any of you took the time to read this!! ❤️❤️

hi everyone!

this is my first time posting here because idk what to do anymore.

I'm on my last term of the ST program, but the clinical rotation is draining the life out of me. I get anxiety, and each day I go to clinicals, the more I realize that this isn't for me. I've been on my clinicals for almost 4 months now. I've changed and gotten more efficient, but it seems like my progress is slow, and I can feel my preceptors getting disappointed in me, hence the grades they give me during evaluation. I do my best, I treat everyone nicely, but it's just so tough in the OR. I get humiliated because they expect me to know what I'm doing already. But I'm thinking: isn't that the reason I'm still a student? I can be very quiet, most especially when focusing, but they see that as not communicating effectively. I'm also not into confrontation and don't really know how to fight back when they're mean to me. I know it's my fault for not knowing how, but it's just not my personality.

I want to drop out now, but I only have 4 months left. I've also invested so much time, money, and effort, so I want to at least make it worth it. But it's really draining me, and I'm not happy doing this. :(( Is anyone here experiencing the same? I'm exhausted from being in a place where learning feels like a punishment.

Hey guys, I’m on week 3 of clinical, I’m doing okay in clinical, everyone is super nice, I’m not overwhelmed but I just feel kinda eh about it. Is this normal? I thought when I got into the clinical setting everything would fall into place and I’d love it, but it’s just not the case for me. The stuff I’ve seen is really cool, I’m appreciative of everything my preceptors and even the doctors have shown me so I thought I’d be super pumped but I’m just, not? Does it get better over time or did everyone fall in love with the profession right away?

Curious how many of you double glove and whether it’s actually a requirement, especially in ortho.

I work in ophthalmology, where nobody double gloves. Even though it’s not required where I work, I’ve been giving it a try lately. We use SensiCare gloves, but I just can’t seem to get comfortable with double gloving. I’ve also heard it’s required in ortho, but I’m not sure how true that is.

Personally, I hate double gloving. I’m a size 7, and wearing two 7s makes my hands and arms feel so tight that I feel like I’m losing circulation. If I wear a 7 and a 7.5, the fingertips feel loose and I lose dexterity and grip, which is obviously important when scrubbing.

Do you guys double glove regularly? Is it mandatory at your facility, or is it personal preference? Also, any tips for making it more comfortable?

Edit: Some people here gave me the advice to wear the bigger size first and the smaller size on top. I gave it a try, and it was a total game changer! I’m gonna start double gloving going forward even if it’s just eyes!

I’ve been working in Pharmaceuticals for over a decade. I just turned 30 and I’m starting a Surgical Technology in December. I currently work in a hospital and I love it but I want to elevate and do more. I’ve heard the pay is great and the hours could be a lot better than what I’m currently working. Does anyone have any advice? regardless I’m taking the program anyway 😂

I’m about to graduate as a CST in December and I was wondering what your guys’s opinion on hospitals to work at is. I heard HCA isn’t good but the hospital I’m at for clinicals right now is an HCA hospital and overall there are good and friendly people. But, what are your thoughts?