So I'm writing this blog for two reasons. One, a simple hope that maybe what I share will be able to help someone else on their journey to become a surgical technician. Second, is to write about my experience and hopefully hold myself accountable to graduating. Or else this will be a Surg Tech blog about a dropout student who talks about Parks and Recreation and how many M&M's I can catch in my mouth.
Just yesterday I had another day of questioning if this is what I really want to do. The pressure was mounted, my textbook had been open for hours, and I was reaching the end of my line. In order to change something and commit myself to sticking this out to the end, I am using my best outlet: writing.
So since we are playing catch up, let's catch everybody up and start with the basics. What is a surgical technician?
Here's one opinion:
Here's a few others:
But let's go to the trusted source of Wikipedia for a real answer: "A scrub, also called a scrub tech, surgical technician or operating room technician, is an allied health professional working as a part of the team delivering surgical care. They work as members of the surgical team made up of surgeon, surgeon's assistant, circulation nurse and anesthesia provider. They possess knowledge and skills in sterile and aseptic techniques."
But to simplify that, when the surgeon asks for a scalpel, you are the one that hands the doctor the scalpel.
So that's about the gist of it.
To become a "surgical ninja" you can go to a junior college or a technical college. The program I am attending is a one year program and I am more than half way done (thus the need to catch up). Some programs are two years, others are a year and a half but I haven't heard of any shorter than a year. This particular program will consist of 9 months of classroom and lab work and then a 3 month internship in different hospitals in my area.
So I just wanna talk about how I came to find this career and what drew me to it.
Right there.
That's it.
That picture with the words "Surgical Technician" below it.
That's what got me interested in this program.
No joke.
I graduated with my associates in science already and wanted to do more school but wasn't a big fan of the classic 4 year college route. So I looked around at a the local colleges. I originally was looking for a medical assistant program when I stumbled on that picture. Surgical technologist sounded really cool and so I looked into what it was. I did a tad bit of research then I applied (not really thinking I would get in). I got called into have an interview and within a couple weeks I was enrolled in the class! I didn't even have time to really think but everything fell into place. I was able to get a scholarship to help pay for the program which allowed me to not go into any debt! Great plus.
As I have gone to school these past 5 months I have learned a lot more about what a surg tech does. I have learned a countless amount of surgical instruments. I have learned so much about the human body's anatomy and physiology. I have learned how to create and maintain a sterile field. I know what a sterile field is. I know how to pass instruments and load suture. I know how to move my mask up while only using my mouth (so you remain sterile while scrubbed in). And a myriad of other skills that are otherwise useless outside of an operating room.
It has been quite a journey and I would be lying if I said it wasn't hard. I have thought more than once about whether or not to stick it through to the end. Some days I'm counting down the minutes till class is over, while other days the time flies by and it's all an exhilarating rush.
I hope somebody out there in the cyber world finds what I write helpful. And maybe another person who has been here and has made it to the other side to cheer me on. But either way, I'm grateful I'm writing for myself so I can talk it out and stick it through to the end.
For all the Parks and Recreation fans out there. This about sums up a good day at school:
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