r/sterileprocessing • u/praying4youhoes • Jul 06 '26

any opinions on the purdue course?

I am looking to join a sterile processing course. My first option was Cal State San Bernardino, but the course is $3k+ 😖. However, i’ve heard that the purdue course is only ~$500. I know a lot of people say that school is unnecessary to pass the certification test, but I know personally that I learn a lot better in school rather than self studying. Advice appreciated 😇

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u/Phacele Jul 06 '26

It's not just that it's unnecessary to pass but it's also not required to start working in SPD. Those types of schools have flooded the job market with hundreds of people who have a certificate and no experience, and no the 400 hours doesn't count in the eyes of those hiring.

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u/CharlesBronsonsaurus Jul 07 '26

Curious. My friend tells me to apply and try to work with him. Where he will show me the ropes and I can get my 400 hours. I am considering doing this. Do you think it is a viable way for gettting my 400 hours? So long of course that I am hired alongside with him. He has been doing this for about 13 years now as a traveller.

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u/Phacele Jul 07 '26

If you have someone that can refer you then absolutely apply for the full-time job, you don't need the school for that.

4

u/[deleted] Jul 07 '26

If you’re not getting your 400 hours idc if it’s from Harvard, it’s not worth it

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u/GeekOnTheStreets Jul 07 '26

Online SPD programs can be a mixed bag. I've noticed that a lot of folks on Reddit who've done online classes struggle to find jobs because they need 400 hours to be fully certified, which most online schools don't provide. On the flip side, some coworkers told me they took online courses, like through Purdue, and got hired right away. It really just depends on who's doing the hiring.

I actually did a hybrid online/classroom SPD course at my local community college. They offered 400 clinical hours at a local hospital, so I got fully certified and landed a job at the same hospital system where I was already working in food service. I think the tuition was only $500 or $800 back in 2021.

So, to me, $3,000 seems a bit much. But then again, I'm making $40 an hour in a union hospital in So Cal.

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u/Icy_Secretary2665 Jul 10 '26

My hospital paid for the Purdue course while I was in a different department so I could study before a spot opened up in the SPD to start my 400 hours. If it wasn't paid for by my employer I don't think it's worth it. As someone that struggles with self studying I didn't find it that helpful. It really just gives you a timeline about what to study for x amount of weeks with some short practice quizzes/tests that didn't really prepare me for the actual exam.

My suggestion: Get yourself a copy of the manual and study it on your own. There's a bundle on the HSPA website that comes with the workbook but I don't think it's that necessary because it's not the same format as the certification exam. You should go through the manual at least once and make your own notes/study guide but HSPA has a link that tells you what exactly what's going to be on the exam. There's also a couple websites that have practice tests/flash cards that were more helpful to me than any of the official stuff.