r/surgicaltechnology

I have the AST Practice exam #6 because my class just took it as a mock NBSTSA. It has the answer key at the end its 175 questions. So if anyone would like it to also practice I'd be happy to email to ya. I go out for clinicals on Monday! Im looking for other versions of the practice exam too! So if ya have one please share. I thought it would be beneficial for us to help each other to prepare for the big exam! Im not taking mine until January 2027.

I am currently in my first semester of an 11 month LPN program at a community college. I’ve been seriously questioning whether nursing is the right career for me, and I’m considering applying to a surgical technology program at the same college. I’d really appreciate honest opinions, especially from nurses, surgical techs, or people who have switched healthcare careers.

I’ve always been interested in healthcare, especially anatomy, physiology, medications, medical conditions, and learning how the body works. I genuinely enjoy the academic side of nursing, learning procedures, and practicing skills. I’ve also been interested in labor and delivery for a long time, and becoming an L&D nurse was the career I originally envisioned for myself.

However, I’m realizing that I struggle significantly with the interpersonal side of nursing. I’m naturally very reserved around people I don’t know. At home, I’m extremely talkative, but outside of my comfort zone, I’d usually rather observe than interact. Even when I’m not particularly anxious, I don’t enjoy talking to unfamiliar people. Nursing involves constant communication, including interviewing patients, explaining procedures, educating them, providing reassurance, and interacting with different people throughout the day. I even find myself struggling to finish sentences at times.

On top of that, I experience hand tremors (essential tremor I think??) that become worse when I’m performing skills or being observed. During an on-campus clinical practice, I was so shaky while setting up a G-tube feeding that I struggled to pour liquid into a cup without spilling, even though I knew what I was doing. I’m trying to push through because I know I’m still early in the program and have a lot to learn. I also recognize that anxiety may be contributing to some of my difficulties. But I’m worried that I might be pursuing a career whose everyday responsibilities don’t fit me, even though I love the medical knowledge behind it.

I recently attended an information session for the surgical technology program at my college, and it genuinely excited me. The program is approximately 13 months long.

What appeals to me is that surgical technology would still let me work in healthcare, learn about anatomy and surgical procedures, handle instruments, and be part of an operating room team. The role involves preparing instruments, maintaining the sterile field, passing instruments to surgeons, anticipating what they’ll need, and helping procedures run safely.
I understand that surgical techs still have to communicate with surgeons, nurses, anesthesiologists, and other team members. I’m not expecting a job where I never have to speak or where there is no pressure. However, the communication seems more task-oriented, and there’s generally less ongoing patient interaction than in nursing.
I’m also very interested in OB/GYN procedures. I know working in that specialty isn’t guaranteed, but the possibility of being involved in C-sections and other gynecological surgeries is exciting to me.
I feel like surgical technology might align better with my interest in hands-on, technical work and my preference for a more structured environment. I’m worried that I like the idea and aesthetic of nursing more than the actual day-to-day job.

My biggest concerns:
Am I giving up too early? I’ve only been in LPN school for about two months. Maybe I need more time to adjust, build confidence, and get better at interacting with patients. I don’t want to mistake anxiety or inexperience for a career mismatch.

Would surgical technology actually be better for me? I’m attracted to the role because of the procedures and operating room environment, but I know it also involves pressure, teamwork, fine motor skills, and long periods of standing. I’m concerned that my shaky hands could be an issue in the OR, too.

The financial aspect. I have been fortunate enough to have parents that have already spent thousands of dollars supporting my prerequisites and nursing education. They would likely be the ones helping me pay for surgical technology as well, at least initially to hold my seat for the semester as I don’t have enough saved at the moment and the deadline is soon. The estimated total tuition is around $13,700, with the first semester costing $4,660 before any financial assistance. I feel astronomically guilty about potentially changing directions after they’ve already invested so much in me.

Long-term income and career growth. My parents want me to be financially independent and able to support myself. Surgical tech salaries can be lower than nursing salaries depending on the location and role, and I’m worried about regretting giving up nursing’s potential career growth. At the same time, I don’t want to choose a career solely because of its earning potential if I’m unhappy doing it.

The possibility of regretting either decision. If I leave nursing, I might regret not becoming an L&D nurse. If I stay, I worry I could spend years forcing myself through a job that makes me miserable socially and emotionally.

So, would it be foolish to switch at this point?

Hi! I'm doing a project for work where I send out an information email monthly on some topic of the OR. I'm currently working on a GYN one for this month. I've always heard the "hanks have shanks, hegars look like cigars". I was just wondering if anyone has a fun rhyme or saying to remember pratts or half-sized dilators? Thanks!

hi!

i have decided to pursue a new career path and surgical tech has been something that looks like it would be the most fulfilling to me. however i am a bit anxious about making the switch, going back to school, and starting this new career especially because I am a bit older

I found this sub and have learned a lot of useful information and it has made me feel more confident that I am making the right move

however, the anxiety is still there. i would love to hear from you all and your experiences! how was the school program, what does your day to day look like, etc

i also have a few specific questions: i wear an n95 mask in my day to day life as I am immunocompromised. Working in a hosptial would be fine however I need to know if I would ever be required to unmask while on the clock. if i bring my own n95 aura mask (i have had it fit tested as well and it passed) could i wear that mask in the OR? i am worried about having to switch masks or something and i end up getting sick if that makes sense

I have been a scrub tech for 5 years and have been on the neuro team at my hospital the entire time. I mostly do spine, but on average do about 1 neuro IR case per week or 2. It's cerebral angiograms, embolizations, strokes, etc. We also don't have first assists in neuro IR cases so it's just me and the doctor scrubbed in.

I just feel inadequate. I don't know every single step of the process with the microcatheters or the names of all of them or how they all go together. I was never taught. The doctor I usually work with puts the catheters together himself. If he wants me to put something together he tells me to do it. We just hired a new surgeon who has been frustrated at me for not knowing how or when to do all of those things. She is used to having the IR techs scrubbed in with her who know everything that needs to be done.

I'm just wondering if there's any other neuro techs who feel this way, or any who don't. I feel pretty bad about myself for not knowing every step. I'm a perfectionist and I excel at spine and cranis, but still feel like I'm just floating through neuro IR even after 5 years. I want to know if this is normal and typical.

Hello!

I wanted to share an honest take on my time at Intuitive Surgical. I gave Intuitive a solid 3 years and I am no longer with the company, (I left a few months ago) and while I was there I never missed quota as a CSR.
I started my med device career at Boston Scientific, then Stryker and moved to Intuitive because I believed the robot was making a real difference and the opportunity looked unlimited. The technology is real. The culture was the worst I have worked in, and the pay did not match the time and work the job required. I had already heard the culture was bad before I joined. I told myself that if it was that rough, I would leave. I did. Another thing I found out while working there is that they have such a high turnover rate. Employee retention is very very low and they seem to be fine with that because nothing changes, absolutely nothing.
Training, called CAST, is brutal. It is not hard in the sense of being impossible. It is an enormous amount of information you are expected to retain. Three weeks virtual with two tests a week, then four straight weeks in Atlanta with two tests a week, then three more weeks virtual with two tests a week, then another four straight weeks in Atlanta. People were breaking down. Flying home on the weekends or bringing family out is not an option, because if you are not using that time for hands-on practice and study, the odds of failing go way up. Skipping the weekends in Atlanta is not really an option. You come out of CAST mentally exhausted. The company treats getting through it like a badge of honor. I did very well in CAST, and I still do not buy that framing.
Once you are out, the cadence stays heavy. Mandatory weekly one-on-ones with your manager. Every Wednesday, a clinical update that is long and detailed and has to be submitted the same day. Team calls every two weeks. Field rides every quarter. At least twice a quarter, in-person lab trainings that can be scheduled with a couple of days’ notice and pull you out of the field from morning to mid-afternoon, including on a Friday.
The job itself, especially with academic accounts, asks for a lot that does not feel worth it. You are training residents, training surgeons, and dealing with admin work daily.
ACM, the “national sales meeting”, was awful. They send pre-work a month ahead that takes a long time to finish. Once you are there, it is role plays, breakouts, trainings, more breakouts, and role plays in front of your whole region. At Stryker, I would leave a national meeting motivated to go sell. I left ACM needing a week off. It was ridiculous.
If you’re thinking about working at Intuitive Surgical just know what you’re getting yourself into and have a plan. Great technology, bad culture. I hope this helps if you’re considering.

After reading some of the comments I will be more than happy to provide more feedback regarding culture. You have so many people within intuitive who act like they really care but their only motive is to get promoted. Politics are at every company which I understand, but from my experience no matter how good you are, if you’re not clicked up with the right people you won’t advance in your career. Yes, it ultimately depends on you and your team and for those who currently work at Intuitive reading my post I’m so happy you’re successful and happy, and I mean that. I just wanted share some insight. I can go on and on but I don’t think Reddit has enough bandwidth for the amount of literature I’ll provide. Best of luck whether you’re there or thinking about it. 🫶🏼

Please leave your best advice here... It will be greatly appreciated.

im 26f starting travel surg tech after almost 3 years in a level 1 trauma center doing almost every service line. any advice?