Surgical Tech vs Circulating Nurse vs First Assist: Who Does What in the Room
A student shadows one Tuesday and sees three people in blue: one is opening pans, one is on the computer, one is holding a retractor and talking to the surgeon…
How to Negotiate Surgical Tech Pay, Differentials, and a Sign-On Bonus
The recruiter says, “The rate for this CST role is $31.50, and we have a $10,000 sign-on if you start in June.” You have eight years, you take hearts call,…
Labor and Delivery Surgical Tech Jobs: What the Work Is Really Like
A main-OR friend tells you the L&D tech job is the move: “It’s mostly scheduled sections, you get out of neuro and call with Dr. Nightmare, and the nights are…
CST Recertification and CE Credits Without Wasting Money
Your manager forwards an email in March: “CST expires June 30. Employee health needs a current card on file.” You thought you had time. You have a folder of random…
Should You Relocate for a Surgical Tech Job?
A recruiter texts you a number that is three dollars an hour higher than your current rate, plus a $15,000 sign-on, plus “we really need CSTs.” The hospital is 900…
How to Read a Surgical Tech Job Posting and Spot the Red Flags
You apply to 40 surgical tech jobs in six weeks. Half never answer. Ten send the same Workday rejection on a Sunday night. Two call you, sound upbeat, then mention…
Military Surgical Tech to Civilian Hospital: How to Translate Your Experience
You finished a 12-hour day of cases. You can set up a trauma laparotomy in your sleep, you have run a cysto table with a brand-new resident, and you have…
Why Surgical Techs Burn Out — and How to Stay in the Job
You skip lunch again because room 3 is turning over and the add-on is already in holding. You eat crackers from the core at 2:40, scrub a case that runs…
From CST to Surgical First Assist: What the Path Actually Looks Like
You have been first-scrubbing a surgeon for two years. They start asking you to hold retraction the way they like, to cut, to throw a stitch on close, to “just…
Call, Nights, and Callback: How Surgical Tech Pay Really Works
The offer letter says $28 an hour. Your classmate takes nights at $26 with a differential that looks small on the flyer. Six months later they are talking about a…