Does scrub experience (20yr) count when I pass nclex & apply to circulating nurse ?
Absolutely it will help. Many OR's prefer nurses that can scrub or circulate. You already know most of what a circulator does during surgery, so that's a big advantage
I'm sure you'll get a offer very quickly because of this. It's a highly valued skill that transfers to teamwork and makes for flexible staffing (easier for managers to work with).
I would definitely include it on your resume or in an intro letter. While it doesn’t technically count as nursing experience, it would be experience any OR manager would want! As you know OR lingo can be very different from other areas of nursing, so having 20 years of that under your belt would be a huge plus. Also, as a scrub you would be familiar with instruments and that would make it easy to fetch supplies which is an OR circulator duty. Some procedure areas use nurses as scrubs too and you may be seen for your potential to cross train if desired.
The facility where you scrub may allow you to be trained for OR as an RN. Being a scrub is not the same experience. You will need to be competent as an RN to care for patients using scientific knowledge, and be able to asses a patient for all different diagnosis and diseases, make a care plan for the individual patient, gather and administer drugs, chart procedures and assessments, submit charges, and many other processes that you cannot experience by scrubbing. A training program with AORN standards will make you successful..
Yes! I know a handful of nurses who were surgical techs in the past and then went back to school for nursing. It’s very helpful to the team as well when someone knows both roles. Some strictly circulate after they get their RN license and others switch back and forth between scrubbing and circulating depending on staffing needs for the day/week.
Depends on how experience you are
As far as I’m concerned, you should have top priority. As long as your work ethic is good, you should be a great fit! Congratulations by the way! That’s fantastic.
Yes, ability to scrub and circulate in the OR will definitely proffer an advantage of your choice is to remain in the OR. However, staying in the OR will limit you relative to future opportunities.
It may help in getting a OR position, but it does depend on the organization. Be sure to add your experience to your resume and if you get an interview use your experience during the interview process.
I am sorry. I misread the question. I thought you were asking about the NCLEX exam. Of course it will help you in circulating. In fact, it will probably make you a better circulator because you know both roles. When I started in the OR, every RN both scrubbed and circulated. It made for a very well oiled team.
Yes it does!! Many hospitals prefer an RN who also knows how to scrub. Albeit many RN’s don’t like to scrub. It makes scheduling flexible. At least you make yourself marketable with scrub experience as an RN. Good luck on your NCLEX.
If you are asking about marketability I would say that it would be a huge benefit. If you are talking about salary I think it would depend on each facility. Many would start you out above the new graduate rate. Others will not. With 20 years of scrub experience I suspect you might be above new grad RN pay already. I suggest you meet with an RN recruiter at your facility and see what they have to say.
no, but helps b/c u will know what the scrub nurse, tech or dr is needing
Absolutely. Many hospital will b begging to get you
Unfortunately no. While it will help you with critical thinking skills, it will not help with the content of the NCLEX exam.
Good luck and welcome to the OR!
I am glad you asked, infection control perspectives should prevent nurses from wearing "sweep the floor scrubs" buy a mini scrub rather than oversize that acts as an infection vector. It's an oversight in our busy nursing life but it's an infection control issue. Thanks.
This depends on the hospital you apply at. Most hospitals that are not union will give you some credit for this experience but if union they have to go by the bylines of the union contract. Good luck.
Yes , that shows that you are experienced and will look good more after passing your NCLEX .
Unfortunately, most of the hospitals don’t count scrub experience. However, you definitely can negotiate your salary
You have probably already heard this but, don’t stop. Get your RN first assist (RNFA)if you live in a state or plan on moving to a state that uses them. Let’s you be both a scrub and an assist and let’s you learn to do more. And it usually pays a little more.
It did for me, surgical tech for 15 years, got an interview before I took my NECLEX and accepted into the peri-op program because of my surgical experience and knowledge. Their program usually accepts 2 RNs but accepted 3 the year they hired me because they knew I would complete the training faster than the other nurses.
Depends on the facility . I was a surgical technician prior to finishing my RN . My facility gave me partial credit for my years as a surgical tech — however I stayed in the operating room .
Absolutely! That experience is priceless!
For sure! You are so much ahead of a new graduate nurse! You know the environment, sterile technique, procedures. You need to learn the circulating responsibilities but you will not be intimidated by the Operating Room, the staff or the surgeons.
Hospitals are eager to hire RNs who know how to scrub. Some nurses I’ve worked with over the years learned to scrub “on the job” Its a real positive to have your experience. What about the facility where you scrubbed for 20 years?
Well when you know some stuff it helps you be a better well when you know more it helps you to be a better nurse however that doesn't count for everyone
So ,can I call you twin ! I’ve been in The OR for 20 going on 21 years. I were a CST as well . And yes,”Scrub Experience count!” When you become a Circulator. Transitioning to an RN . You have to remember Patient care . When your a Circulator as well as apply all our OR knowledge. You will do hood . As you have a leg up on OR experience.
Probably not. You have new role with different requirements. But probably that experience will help you.
Absolutely!
Absolutely. You are a very valuable asset to any
operating room as long as you learn the
circulating responsibilities first after you pass the NCLEX.
Hi,
Yes! Your 20 years will certainly be counted as you have built your knowledge base during that time that you’ve been working in the OR already; also, it’ll allow you to be eligible for a higher rate of pay when you’re hired as an RN.
Good Luck I’m your continued career.
Oops you meant scrub in the OR. Of course it's an experience with benefits. I spilled out my little aches about floor sweeping nurses scrubs (pants). As an infection control activist, I am short of words seeing healthcare professionals with scrubs sweeping the dirty floors. Nosocomial infections are ever increasing due to such common practice.
