Surgical Tech to Nursing

Question

I am enrolled in the Surgical Tech program at a technical school. I want to become an RN in the very near future. I would like to be a RN very soon, but I don't know how that goes. I think I want to go ahead and take the course which is for 10 months and then go get my RN. I also want to speak with an advisor at Oklahoma Community College. Do you know if it is possible for me to get on the waiting list for nursing school? I really think this is my calling in life because I have tried so many other careers, but this one has really drawn to me. I am in the Medical Term class now and I absolutely LOVE it. How long does it take to finish up Nursing School? Do you think it is a good idea to go ahead and do surgical tech so I can get some experience under my belt so I can really excel?

Answer 1

You have a couple options:

If you do the surgical tech first, it will probably take longer til you achieve your RN goal as opposed to going straight to RN school.

However, if you become a surgical tech and get your certification, you could then apply for a job in the Operating Room at a hospital.  Many hospitals have tuition reimbursement to assist financially while you go to RN school.  If $$ for tuition is an issue, this would be the best route.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Few of the courses in an Operating Room Technology program are useful towards an RN degree. However, your experience as an OR tech could provide you with access to RNs for guidance and assistance with school issues, as well as the possibility of tuition assistance from the health care organization which employs you.

Oklahoma City Community College requires 72 semester hours of course work for the RN program. While this could be finished in 5 semesters, it would be difficult for most students to complete this while working full time in less than 3 years.

Also remember, if you have tuition reimbursement, you might consider the BSN programs at University of Oklahoma, or Kramer School of Nursing at Oklahoma City University. These are both excellent programs. While they would take a little longer, you would have a greater range of positions available to you following graduation, which allows you diversity in your career, and, statistically, a higher income over the course of your career.

I would advise that if you enjoy the operating room, and are considering being a perioperative RN, then while the BSN is valuable, it is not as necessary early in the career, as in some other areas of nursing. ORs generally have few supervisors and head nurses, due to the structure, and therefore, do not have as great an advantage for the BSN graduate. However, if working in the OR your exposure to the nurse anesthetist and anesthesia interest you, then you will need the BSN to attend a CRNA program.

Good luck with your career.