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…
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…
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…
Sterile Processing vs Surgical Tech: Pick the Job for the Life You Want
A recruiter tells you there is a sterile processing opening and “a lot of people use it to get into the OR.” You take it. A year later you know…
How to Choose a Surgical Specialty Without Boxing Yourself In
The first time someone asks what you “want to do,” you are usually still learning how to keep a mayo stand from looking like a junk drawer. A year later…
Hospital OR vs Surgery Center: Which Surgical Tech Job Fits You
Your first offer is a hospital night-shift line with trauma call. The second is a weekday ortho ASC that starts at 6:30 and aims to be empty by 3. You…
How to Become a Surgical Tech Without Wasting a Year
You already paid the deposit. Orientation is Monday. Then a CST who works at the hospital you want texts you: “Is that program CAAHEP? Because we don’t hire from there,…